Common TMJ Symptoms

Common symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) include:

-Pain

-Joint sounds – clicking, popping

-Limited jaw range of motion (ROM)

-Catching or locking of the jaw

1. Pain. Pain the most common symptom for TMD patients and is usually located in the muscles of mastication and/or the joint. The pain can vary from mild to severe and can occur only with certain activities/movements or be constant.

2. Joint sounds. TMJ sounds are another common symptom TMD patients will experience. TMJ sounds include clicking or popping which is the result of the disc being displaced and less commonly grinding (also known as crepitus) which is due to current or past arthritis process in the joint.

3. Limted jaw ROM. Decreased jaw ROM with or without pain is a common finding in patients with TMD. The decreased ROM with opening the mouth may be due to the muscles of mastication or less commonly if the disc displaced. Patients may also have deviation to one side with opening. During the initial visit, the PT will measure the jaw ROM and patients are considered to have limited motion if they have less than 40 mm opening and less then 7 mm lateral movement.

 4. Catching or locking. Catching or locking of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can happen with opening or closing of the mouth. Catching of the TMJ is usually brief and can happen numerous times, whereas, locking of the joint can last from a few seconds to weeks. About 15% of TMD patients will having at least one episode of locking.

Patients may also experience other symptoms including:

-Radiating pain into face including behind the eyes, jaw, shoulder, neck, and/or back

-Headaches

-Earaches or ringing in the ears

-Clenching or grinding of the teeth

-Dizziness

-Sensitivity of the teeth without the presence of an oral health disease

-Numbness or tingling sensation in the fingers

-Change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together

Make sure to check back next week to learn things how physical therapy can help and what you can do to manage TMJ symptoms.

If you are interested in learning more or about treatment options, don’t hesitate to call/text 701-318-4731 or email connectptnd@gmail.com to learn how we can help. Don’t forget to follow on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the happenings at Connect Physical Therapy.

- Alison Fuhrman, PT, DPT, CMPT, OCS