FIRST COAST ORAL SURGERY
Andrew Skigen, DMD, FACS • Anthony Massaro, MD, DMD
Sepideh Sabooree, MD, DMD • Stacey M. Nedrud, MD, DMD, FACS
Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Fellows of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
What is TMJ?
Has your dentist diagnosed you with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder? Does your jaw click or pop when you eat or open your mouth? TMJ disorder can be a very debilitating oral health condition and in some cases, may require jaw surgery when other treatments fail to alleviate a patient’s symptoms. An oral surgeon may need to perform jaw surgery when misaligned jaws or congenital abnormalities cause TMJ dysfunction. The following is some helpful information about TMJ disorder and various treatment options.
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No one treatment can resolve TMJ disorders completely and treatment takes time to become effective. Dr. Skigen can help you have a healthier, more comfortable jaw.
Symptoms of TMJ
Symptoms of TMJ disorder can vary depending on the severity of a patient’s situation. Common symptoms include facial pain, clicking or popping sensations during mouth movement, tooth wear, and diminished or uncomfortable oral function. In severe cases, patients’ jaws may literally “lock up” where the mouth cannot be opened or closed for a period of time.
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Symptoms of a TMJ Disorder
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Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
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Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
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Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
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Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
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Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
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Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
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Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?
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Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?
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Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
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Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
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Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
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Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
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Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?
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The more times you answered “yes”, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.
TMJ Treatment
Treating TMJ disorder varies – especially on the underlying cause of a person’s TMJ dysfunction. If tooth wear or orthodontic issues are to blame for stress or strain on the TMJ, a patient may benefit from restorations like dental crowns or orthodontic treatment such as braces. If an issue with the jawbones causes TMJ dysfunction, corrective surgery may be necessary. Jaw surgery may involve bone grafts to restore the proportion of the lower and upper jaw or repositioning the placement of the jaws through a surgical procedure to relieve tension and pressure off the TMJ and improve oral function.
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If your dentist or physician has recommended that you visit an oral surgeon for TMJ treatment, call one of our conveniently located offices today to reserve a consultation. Jacksonville, FL, Amelia Island, FL or Lake City, FL.
Bite Correction or Surgery
If your TMJ disorder has caused problems with how your teeth fit together you may need treatment such as bite adjustment (equilibration), orthodontics with or without jaw reconstruction, or restorative dental work. Surgical options, such as arthroscopy and open joint repair restructuring, are sometimes needed, but are reserved for severe cases. Dr. Skigen does not consider TMJ surgery unless the jaw can’t open, is dislocated and non-reducible, has severe degeneration, or the patient has undergone appliance treatment unsuccessfully.