Why jaw locks up

In extreme cases, surgery ranging from minimally invasive to open-joint surgery to replace the TMJ may be necessary. Are your Cortland kids ready to start using mouthwash as part of their daily hygiene routine? We recommend following these guidelines first.

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When performed correctly, veneers can help you regain lost self-confidence, and they're a life-changing treatment in Cortland. Is Your Jaw Clicking and Locking? Other common associated issues include pain in your jaw, aching and radiating pain around your ears, and difficulty chewing or pain while chewing.

In some cases, lifestyle changes can help resolve the problem. For example, if you chew a lot of gum, this can cause stress to your temporomandibular joint. Ceasing gum chewing will allow you to recover. Some other steps you can take include reducing stress, getting a night guard to treat teeth grinding, eating softer foods, and using NSAIDs non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help with inflammation.

For example, corticosteroid injections into the joint can help provide relief and allow the joint to heal. Your jaw position will be shifted to help your joints relax, promoting healing and better TMJ health. Without proper treatment, your condition could get worse, and cause you even more pain, discomfort and inconvenience. Structurally, the TMJ is a complex joint that involves multiple muscles working in concert with uniquely shaped cartilage to allow for the powerful actions of chewing, as well as the fine movements involved with speech.

Like so many parts of the human body, the TMJ usually only receives attention when something goes wrong. Grinding of the teeth, also known as bruxism, is a very common problem.

For many people this occurs at night during sleep nocturnal bruxism. People with nocturnal bruxism often wake up the next morning with tightness and soreness of the jaw muscles. Bruxism over time can cause destruction of tooth enamel, the formation of gaps between teeth as teeth start to shift, and damage to the TMJ joint. Some people who suffer from bruxism are first diagnosed during routine dental visits when enamel destruction is noted.

A number of studies have shown that TMJ dysfunction can exacerbate headache disorders, and that successful treatment of TMJ dysfunction can improve the headache disorder. As a headache specialist, I routinely evaluate the TMJ. During the examination, I palpate the joint, while the patient makes different jaw movements. I can often feel, and at times hear, the dysfunction in the joint. When severe, the TMJ can painfully "lock," and the person is unable to move their jaw until the joint is realigned, which can at times require surgery.

These issues can occur in association with bruxism, excessive jaw clenching, jaw trauma, and at times without any clear cause.

A very common treatment for TMJ dysfunction is the use of a nightguard, which is a plastic mouthpiece that covers the teeth, and prevents enamel on enamel contact. A nightguard is usually fitted to the upper maxillary teeth. In general, a dentist fabricates custom nightguards. Although usually more expensive, custom nightguards are a better choice than over-the-counter versions for a number of reasons. Custom night guards tend to be thinner and more comfortable.

Although bruxism has never been a significant problem for me, I wear a nightguard to prevent enamel wear and shifting of teeth. After using a nightguard for a number of years, I tell patients that not wearing my nightguard is like not putting on my seatbelt after I get in the car. It is a disruption in my routine, which can at times leave me feeling restless. Other treatments for TMJ dysfunction include injections directly into the joint and jaw surgery.

One of the less invasive and less painful treatments is the use of botulinum toxin Botox. Cosmetically, Botox works by relaxing the muscles that, when overactive, can cause wrinkles.

Similarly, when injected into jaw muscles, they relieve tightness, pain, and wear on the TMJ. Two of my patients had very large jaw muscles from constant clenching over the years, and with Botox injections the contour of their faces changed.

One of these patients said, "I hated having these big jowls. My jaw line is much smoother now, and my pain is essentially gone. Mathew, does injecting Botox in the jaw muscles cause any side effects?