Risk Factors for TMJ Disorder : A risk factor is anything that predisposes you to catching a disease or condition. Therefore, you will need to be exposed to one or more risk factors to get a disease. The more the risk factors you are exposed to, the more the likelihood of being affected.

Temporomandibular joint (TJM) syndrome is a group of conditions that affect temporomandibular joint areas. TMJ syndrome is usually a self-limiting and a very common disorder. TMJ patients usually experience chronic pains and discomforts such as lower back pain, fibromyalgia, and headaches which is the main focus during TJM treatment. In some cases, the patients suffer jaw malfunctions which are associated with teeth clenching and grinding.

Below are some of the risk factors that can predispose an individual to TMJ. However, you can develop TMJ syndrome without being predisposed to various risk factors listed below.

If you are exposed to many of these risk factors, it is important to ask your health care provider on possible ways to reduce your risk.

TMJ syndrome risk factors

1. Stress

Stress is one of the major predisposing factors that increase the risk of catching TMJ syndrome. Some of the stressing habits likely to increase an individual’s risk of getting TMJ syndrome include:

• Grinding your teeth at night during sleep or during the day
• Regularly or constantly chewing things such as gum for a long period of time
• Constantly clenching and unclenching your jaw

2. Medical conditions

The following are some of the medical conditions that are likely to increase your risk of catching TMJ syndrome:

• Facial and jaw deformities
• Arthritic conditions such as osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis
• Misaligned bite and teeth
• History of facial or jaw injuries such as dislocations or fractures of the mandibles

3. Age

Most cases of TMJ syndrome symptoms have been reported among people aged 30 to 50 years of age. Therefore, people within this age group are more susceptible to suffering from TMJ syndrome.

4. Gender

Studies reveal that women are three times more susceptible to catching TMJ syndrome as compared to men. The risk of chronic TMJ among women increases significantly between the ages 18 to 44 years.

Studies have found that TMJ syndrome risk is high during childbearing years but decreases thereafter.

5. Ill-fitting dentures

Improperly fitted dentures after a jaw injury may be a risk factor that predisposes one to TMJ syndrome.

Other risk factors

It has been suggested that women who take hormone replacement therapy have a high likelihood of developing TMJ syndrome symptoms. Several studies that have been done on the TMJ syndrome suggest a link between TMJ syndrome and mitral valve prolapse.

Variability in genetics has also been shown to be a risk factor. People who have alterations in several genes are likely to suffer from TMJ syndrome. Some of these altered genes are known to influence stress response, inflammation, and psychological well-being. Therefore, the understanding of these phenomena has aided the research for drugs to be used in TMJ treatment.

It is also important to note that TMJ syndrome susceptibility is not related to low socio-economic status of an individual. This is unlike other chronic conditions. For example, socioeconomic status has been found to have a profound effect on sciatica, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, and ulcer.

Final word

The above-discussed factors are the major predisposing factors to TMJ. However, you should note that TMJ syndrome can be caused with or without exposure to the above factors. Women are the most susceptible to catching the TMJ syndrome as compared to men especially during their child bearing age. If you are more exposed to the above factors, you need to consider visiting your doctor or healthcare provider to give you tips on how to reduce the risks. Prevention is always better than TMJ treatment.

These risk factors can be broadly be classified into psychological distress, genetics, pain amplification, and history of physical and psychological trauma.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (also known by the acronym TMJ or TMD) is a disorder associated with the temporomandibular joint, which is like a connector that links the jaw with the temporal bones that are part of the skull. This joint is pretty important, since it’s the one that allows the jaw to move, making it possible to talk and chew food.

When there are issues with this joint, TMJ is usually to blame.

Causes of TMJ

Despite the prevalence of TMJ, dentists continue to be unclear about exactly what causes TMJ. According to doctor Joshua Hong DDS, some of the main causes of this condition have been narrowed down to:

• Pressure on the Joint – Actions such as grinding or clenching of the teeth will apply pressure on the joint, and may cause damage.
• Disc Movement – The joint is made of a ball and socket. Movement of the disc between these two elements could be the cause too.
• Stress – The collection of muscles that surround the jaw tighten and move around when an individual is stressed, affecting the joint.
• Other Causes – Arthritis and other medical conditions may also affect the joint.

Symptoms and Signs of TMJ

TMJ will cause a person to experience extreme pain, which can go on for years. TMJ symptoms typically begin to show up between the ages of 20 and 40, and include:

• Pain – Widespread pain across different parts of the face, jaw joints and even the shoulders.
• Stiffness – Difficulty in opening the mouth wide while eating, or incorrect bites, almost as if top and bottom teeth aren’t meeting like they are supposed to.
• Strange Sounds – The jaw makes odd sounds that weren’t there before, ranging from popping sounds to clicking ones.
• Swelling – Significant amount of swelling on the sides of the face.

TMJ Surgery and Treatment

TMJ pain and other associated symptoms have a wide range of treatment options available, which include home remedies as well as procedures such as dental filling, which can alleviate most problems associated with TMJ. If all these options fail, TMJ surgery would be advised to the patient.

Here are the three types of surgery that dentists recommend for patients with TMJ disorders:

• Arthrocentesis – This is the surgery that is performed if the jaw is locked, and is advisable only when the patient has no history of TMJ. In this type of surgery, after a dose of anesthesia, the dentist will use needles to unlock the joint.
• Arthroscopy – This surgery is performed using a gadget called arthroscope, hence the name. The arthroscope is a tool which is a combination of a lens with light, and allows the doctor to ‘see’ through the lens into the patient’s mouth. Using this tool, the dentist will be able to remove damaged tissue and readjust the joints. This type of surgery is preferable because it leaves only a minor scar, and that means fewer chances of post-surgery complications.
• Open-Joint Surgery – This is used as a last-resort surgery when arthroscopy is not an option. It is chosen when the jaw joints have worn down severely, if there are tumors, or the joints are scarred.

Dental Filling – Advantages and Disadvantages

One of the solutions for TMJ is the use of dental fillings, and the most cost-effective and popular dental fillings are made of composite resin. Let’s look at the major advantages and disadvantages of composite resin fillings:

Composite Resin – Advantages

• The fillings can be made to match the color of the tooth
• All that is needed is a single visit to the clinic
• These bond directly to the tooth
• They occupy less space and that means less drilling of the teeth
• Composite’ means that multiple materials can be used, forming a cocktail with the best of everything

Composite Resin – Disadvantages

• Not as long lasting as amalgam or silver fillings
• Chances of shrinking and wearing away over time
• The procedure lasts longer, increasing the cost of the surgery

TMJ is a joint-related disorder that if left unchecked, could lead to serious jaw problems. If you experience any of the symptoms associated with it, make sure you visit your dentist in Goodyear, AZ for a checkup at the earliest, so it can be nipped in the bud!