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TMJ Disorders | Know more from Dr Chirag Chamria

Vidisha SarawagiVidisha Sarawagi0
jaw Pain TMJ

TMJ Disorders (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) refer to a group of conditions affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles that control jaw movement. Dr Chirag Chamria at Royal Dental Clinics, specialises in the treatment and diagnosis of TMJ disorders leading to pain and trauma.

What is the TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone (mandible) to your skull (temporal bone) in front of each ear. It allows you to open and close your mouth, chew, speak, and yawn.

Common TMJ Disorders

  1. Myofascial Pain: Most common form; involves discomfort or pain in the muscles controlling the jaw.
  2. Internal Derangement: Displacement of the joint disc or injury to the condyle.
  3. Arthritis: Degenerative/inflammatory joint diseases affecting the TMJ.

Symptoms

  1. Jaw pain or tenderness
  2. Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw
  3. Limited or locked jaw movement
  4. Ear pain or pressure
  5. Headaches or neck pain
  6. Difficulty chewing

You see, the problem is not just the pain—it’s the way healthcare has taught us to treat body parts in isolation. But the jaw doesn’t live in isolation.

TMJ jaw pain | TMj Disorders

orthodontists orthognathic surgery | Dr Chirag Chamria

Causes

  1. Jaw injury or trauma
  2. Arthritis (e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis)
  3. Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
  4. Poor posture
  5. Stress (leading to muscle tension or clenching)
  6. Misalignment of teeth or jaw

Diagnosis

  1. Clinical exam (palpation, range of motion)
  2. Dental X-rays
  3. MRI or CT scan (for detailed joint structure)
  4. Bite analysis

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical:

  1. Medications (pain relievers, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories)
  2. Jaw exercises or physical therapy
  3. Occlusal splints/night guards
  4. Stress management (biofeedback, counselling)
  5. Hot/cold compresses

Surgical (rare, for severe cases):

  1. Arthrocentesis (joint flushing)
  2. Arthroscopy or open joint surgery
  3. Joint replacement

You should consider seeing a doctor or dentist who specialises in TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders if you experience any of the following symptoms persistently or if they worsen over time:

  1. Persistent or Worsening Jaw Pain: Aching pain in or around the jaw joint, pain that radiates to the ear, neck, or face, pain that worsens with chewing or talking
  2. Clicking, Popping, or Grinding Sounds, especially if accompanied by pain or limited jaw movement
  3. Limited Jaw Movement: Difficulty opening or closing your mouth fully, jaw getting “stuck” open or closed
  4. Headaches or Ear Symptoms: Frequent tension headaches or migraines, earaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness not related to ear infection
  5. Changes in Bite or Jaw Alignment: Sudden misalignment of your bite, noticeable change in how your teeth fit together
  6. Swelling or Inflammation Around the Jaw: Especially if it’s only on one side or accompanied by fever (could indicate infection)

Seek Emergency Care If: You can’t open or close your jaw at all, you have severe pain with swelling or fever (possible infection), you have signs of a dislocated jaw

If you suspect you have a TMJ disorder, here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do:

  1. Try Conservative Self-Care First (if symptoms are mild). These may help ease pain and inflammation.
  2. Rest the jaw: Avoid chewing gum, tough foods, or yawning widely.
  3. Over-the-counter pain relief: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce pain and swelling.
  4. Stress management: TMJ symptoms often worsen with stress; techniques like meditation or therapy can help.
  5. Avoid Harmful Habits. Avoid chewing on pens or nails.
  6. No jaw clenching or teeth grinding (you might not notice you do this—ask your dentist).

Start with your dentist, who can assess your bite, jaw alignment, and any signs of grinding. Dr Chirag Chamria, Oral Surgeon in Kandivali East specialises in such treatments for TMJ disorders.

My personal reflection | In Dr Chirag Chamria’s Words

For most people, the jaw is simply the part of the face that helps us chew, speak, and smile. But for those who have experienced the stabbing, radiating, or dull ache of TMJ pain, it becomes something else entirely—a source of daily distress, confusion, and frustration.

My own journey into understanding this complex joint didn’t begin in a classroom or a textbook. It started as a quiet observation, standing beside my father, Dr. Arun Chamria, in his clinic. I watched him adjust the bite of a patient who had been suffering from tremendous jaw pain since a few weeks. Within minutes, father adjusted the bite of the patient, and her pain melted away. I didn’t fully grasp what had just happened, but something in that moment lit a spark in me. There was more to this joint than met the eye.

Someday came sooner than expected.

Years later, when my wife began experiencing what she thought was persistent ear pain, we turned to a trusted family friend and ENT specialist, Dr. Rahul Modi. His response surprised me: “This isn’t an ENT issue—it’s dental.” That sentence was a jolt. A reminder. A calling. An inspiration. It pushed me back to the mystery of the jaw and into years of exploration, study, and, most importantly, listening to patients whose stories went beyond their symptoms.

This book is born from that journey. Link to the Book.

You see, the problem is not just the pain—it’s the way healthcare has taught us to treat body parts in isolation. But the jaw doesn’t live in isolation. It is connected to the skull, which sits atop the spine, that aligns with the pelvis, balancing on the feet. A shift in your posture, an old ankle surgery, flat feet, scoliosis, stress, or even a life event—any of these can manifest as pain in the jaw.


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Vidisha Sarawagi
Explore insightful dental care tips and expert advice by Vidisha Sarawagi at Royal Dental Clinics. Learn about implants, oral hygiene, cosmetic dentistry, and more for a healthier smile.

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