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What causes TMJ pain and what can I do about it?

  • Contributor
  • Friday, November 08, 2024
Person suffering from TMJ pain

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is a common issue for many patients seen in UT Dentistry clinics. In an interview, Felix Amarista, DDS, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery clinical assistant professor at UT Health Science Center San Antonio, discusses the primary causes and treatment for TMJ injury and pain. 

Watch Amarista’s Ask the Dentist interview to learn more: “What causes TMJ pain and what can I do about it?”.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex joint formed by the head of the lower jaw, the skull base, ligaments, muscles and nerves. Two TMJs are located on each side of the jaw, enabling seamless jaw opening and closing during daily activities. Any disruption to this complex system has the potential to lead to pain and discomfort.

What causes TMJ pain?
Pain and dysfunction in the TMJ can be caused by: 

  • Trauma to the joint caused by clenching and grinding teeth
  • Direct trauma to the joint from an accident or sports injury
  • High inflammatory pathologies such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, JIA, Psoriatic arthritis, Ehlers-Danlos
  • Complications from an infection, radiation or after getting a numbing shot for dental work

What can you do about it?
When treating TMJ pain the goal is to:
1. Establish the diagnosis
2. Identify and control causal factors
3. Reduce inflammation and pain
4. Reduce joint overload
5. Improve range of motion and restore jaw function
Typically, around 80% of patients improve with a conservative treatment approach and do not require any surgical treatment.

Conservative treatment most commonly includes:

  • Moist heat and ice to the face
  • Soft diet
  • Over the counter medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and gels
  • Jaw exercises
  • Splint or nightguard
  • Relaxation techniques

“For the patients that do not respond to conservative treatment or if we think the patient is a candidate for acute surgical intervention, we typically order some imaging, including an MRI, to better assess the condition of the TMJ and formulate a comprehensive treatment plan,” said Amarista.

Symptom resolution time varies, but typically, with proper conservative treatment, patients can expect improvement within four to six weeks and complete resolution within six months to a year. 

Specialist care
Consult with your dentist for a referral to a specialist in cases that do not resolve with conservative treatment. For comprehensive diagnosis and treatment options, contact the TMJ specialists in the UT Dentistry Oral Medicine clinic for an appointment or ask your dentist for a referral.

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