What Is TMJ Disorder and How Is It Treated?
In this video, Raymond G. Hatland, DDS, explains how he evaluates and treats TMJ disorders by addressing the bite issues that drive clenching, grinding, and chronic jaw pain.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint: the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. TMJ disorders develop when this joint and its surrounding muscles are stressed or damaged. Clenching and grinding, whether during the day or at night, are the most common causes. Trauma, such as a blow to the jaw or a fall, can also injure the joint and trigger grinding. Stress, poor nutrition, caffeine, and sugar can all make the problem worse. Over time, this strain breaks down both the joint and the teeth, and patients can reach significant levels of pain if the cycle doesn’t stop.
I’ve treated TMJ disorders for more than 50 years. In most cases, the underlying problem is an imbalanced bite. When the bite is off, the body’s stress system tries to “fix” it by overworking the jaw muscles, which only accelerates the damage. I correct this by giving patients a perfectly balanced bite using a lower, nearly invisible appliance. It can be worn anytime, but wearing it at night is normally enough. When the bite is ideal, the stress system stops trying to compensate, and clenching and grinding naturally diminish. As the muscles relax, the bite shifts, so one or two follow-up adjustments are usually needed to stabilize it.
Some patients require additional bite equilibration or minor dental treatment to keep the jaw in the ideal position long term. For many people, the fix is straightforward; for others, the improvement can be dramatic given what they’ve been living with.
If you’re dealing with jaw pain, stiffness, arthritis symptoms, or constant clenching, schedule a visit. I’ll evaluate your bite and outline a low-cost program that can provide a lasting, often permanent solution.
