Washington DC Dentist

Q. I've heard a lot about TMJ? What is it?

A. The TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. It is the joint between the lower jaw and the skull. It is unique in having a disc between the two bones. This disc can be displaced far many reasons and the joint will not work properly. Sometimes popping and cracking in the joints, pain when opening and closing, headaches, ringing in the ears, muscle pain in the face and neck can be some of the symptoms. There are other symptoms and you should see a professional (dentist or orthodontist) about these. Your dentist or orthodontists should bill through your medical coverage. Insurance coverage for TMJ treatment has not kept pace with the new knowledge about the disease that has developed in the last few years. It got so bad in 12 states that the legislatures passed laws requiring insurance companies to cover TMJ disorders if they covered diseases of other joints. Check with your medical insurance about your coverage.

Q. Some people with TMJ problems say a chiropractor helped them.Can they really help TMJ?

A. You bet. A number of good chiropractors work with dentists to treat TMJ. The dentist or orthodontist can align the joint and then the bite to where it should be located. Many patients need their necks and spines aligned. I would encourage all dentists to learn to work with chiropractic professionals.

The temporomandibular (jaw or TM) joint is actually two joints. The upper joint is for gliding movements {forward and backward) and the lower joint is for hinge movements {open and close). Note how the relation of the head of the mandible and articular disk to the articular tubercle changes when the mouth closes (a) and opens (b).