The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that 5-10% of Americans suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. Most cases of TMJD are fairly mild, but sometimes they can be severe. TMJD is at least twice as likely to occur in women as it is in men. TMJD is estimated to contribute to at least 17.8 million lost work days in the US each year.
TMJD can commonly occur with other conditions like bruxism, which is teeth clenching or grinding, locking of the TMJ joint, tinnitus, neck pain, headaches, eye pain, pain in the ear or around the ear, pain in the face, migraines, and a clicking or grinding sensation while opening the jaw.
Common risk factors for TMJD include chewing gum, chewing ice, clenching your jaw, taking large bites of food, grinding your teeth, poor posture, and stress. It is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, behind only back pain.
The TMJ consists of two bones that articulate: the temporal and the mandibular bones. The TMJ is located just in front of the ear. Under normal circumstances, when you open your jaw, the disc glides forward to provide support and comfort.
When TMJD occurs, the mandible glides abnormally, placing excessive stress on the joint. This can lead to a variety of symptoms like jaw popping, clicking, locking, clenching, stiffness, soreness, difficulty chewing, and even sharp pain. TMJD can indirectly affect neck pain and headaches, too. These symptoms may lead sufferers to look at options that don’t use drugs or surgery.
$49 New Patient Special
First visit includes a consultation, case review, careful exam, X-rays (if necessary) and initial adjustment. Second visit includes a doctor’s report of findings, care plan recommendations, and treatment if you decide to move forward. Not valid with any other offers or promotions. Restrictions apply. Must mention this coupon at the time of scheduling.
How Our Care Protocol Works
First, we perform a thorough chiropractic exam and x-rays to determine exactly where the lack of proper movement is in your spine and which specific vertebrae need to be addressed.
Second, we restore proper motion to your spine and take stress off of the nerve by performing biomechanically and neurologically correct chiropractic adjustments.
Third, we teach you specific exercises to strengthen and stabilize your spine. These exercises are carefully designed to get you great results and NOT aggravate your condition.
Fourth, as clinically indicated, we perform non-surgical spinal decompression to take pressure off of the disc and off of the nerve giving you relief like you haven’t felt in years!
Common Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction in Centennial, CO
Jaw Pain
The most common symptom of TMJD is pain in the temporomandibular joint. It can manifest as a soreness, achiness, or even a very sharp pain. You might feel the pain in the joint itself, or it might radiate into the face or back to the ear. Because we move our jaw so frequently, with talking and chewing, the pain can be very constant and hard to tolerate.
Common causes of jaw pain include a recent visit to the dentist, some type of trauma, like a car accident, or even chewing on foods that put a lot of stress on your jaw. Sometimes the jaw pain will reduce on its own with time. But more often, there needs to be some type of intervention to correct the way the jaw is tracking.
Clicking or Popping
Sometimes people with TMJD will experience clicking or popping in their jaw. It may or may not be accompanied by jaw pain. The popping or clicking may be due to previous damage to the articular disc of the TMJ. If there is previous damage, there is no way to undo that damage. However, we can make sure the TMJ is tracking correctly to minimize future damage.
Jaw Locking
In extreme situations, the disc can be displaced so far forward that it prevents the jaw from fully opening, due to the limited range of motion. This can be very painful and have a huge impact on your quality of life. Even simple actions like talking, chewing, yawning, and laughing can be extremely painful.
By adjusting the jaw, we can reduce pressure on the disc, allow the jaw to track more effectively, and reduce stress on the muscles. This allows for a more comfortable, fuller range of motion.
Jaw Clenching
Jaw clenching is commonly due to high levels of stress and anxiety. Headaches and upper neck pain often accompany jaw clenching. Prolonged clenching can cause excess muscle tension around the jaw and even affect the surface of the teeth. Understanding the underlying cause of TMJD and jaw clenching allows us to make recommendations that address the root cause of the problem rather than just chasing the symptoms.
Check Out Our Location Near You
12201 E Arapahoe Rd B10, Centennial, CO 80112
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractic adjustments help with TMJ Dysfunction?
Absolutely. At Lovett Family Chiropractic, in Centennial, CO, we see many patients with TMJ Dysfunction. We take a very conservative approach, which focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the dysfunction, not just treating the pain.
How do you actually correct TMJD?
The best way to address TMJD is to look at the source of the problem. We analyze how the jaw is moving through its range of motion. If it’s getting stuck at some point or moving unevenly, we adjust the jaw to allow it to move properly. We also carefully look at the very top of the neck. When there is dysfunction in the upper neck, it can affect the nerve that goes to the TMJ. These two approaches are important factors in correcting jaw movement.
Can a chiropractor “crack” your jaw?
Although chiropractors are known for manual adjustments that may cause a popping or cracking sound, in our office, we rarely use this type of adjustment for the jaw. We typically use an instrument called an Impulse to improve TMJ movement and allow the TMJ to track properly.
What happens if TMJD is left untreated?
Just like anything else in the body, if you try to ignore TMJD and pretend it’s not there, the problem will likely get worse. You must address TMJD sooner rather than later.
Can TMD be fixed without surgery?
Yes. We see amazing improvements for the vast majority of patients who present to our office with TMJD, without drugs, injections, or surgery. We address the root cause of the dysfunction by adjusting the jaw to allow it to move properly. When it moves properly, it usually feels better. At Lovett Family Chiropractic, we have the training and skills to provide you with tremendous relief from TMJD.
$49 New Patient Special
First visit includes a consultation, case review, careful exam, X-rays (if necessary) and initial adjustment. Second visit includes a doctor’s report of findings, care plan recommendations, and treatment if you decide to move forward. Not valid with any other offers or promotions. Restrictions apply. Must mention this coupon at the time of scheduling.