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What is TMJ?

The letters TMJ describe the "Temporal Mandibular Joint" that connects your lower jaw to your head. 

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This joint is the most complex, unique and hard-working joint in the human body. It can move backwards, forwards, left, right, up, down, diagonally and in every conceivable direction. The jaw bone connects with head bone, shock absorbers called discs, cushion and help ease the stress of the bone moving on bone.

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This joint can be subject to trauma, displacement of the discs, grinding, overbuilt crowns or bridges, misalignment of teeth, wear and tear, bone spurs, disc impingement and compression of disc fluid can all cause extreme pain.

Symptoms of TMJ

  • Face pain - ringing ears   

  • Neck pain - clenching       

  • Jaw pain - grinding           

  • Upper back pain - lockjaw

  • Lower back pain

  • Shooting/electric shock head pains​

  • Muscle tenderness

  • Clicking/popping of the jaw

  • Headaches/Migraines

  • Pain on opening or closing mouth

  • Waking with sore cheek muscles

  • Troubles getting jaw moving

Treatment

Our approach is conservative and painless. We use 'Dr Tom's TMJ Sliders' to facilitate healing of the joints, we also use low level laser therapy to help restore normal function to tissues associated with the joints. Sometimes we use 'T-scan' technology to balance the bite along with fascial release of the chewing muscles and trigger point therapy. 

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