> Injury Types > Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome/Disorder
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw. These disorders are often incorrectly called TMJ, which stands for temporomandibular joint.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull, which is immediately in front of the ear on each side of the head. The joints are flexible, allowing the jaw to move smoothly up and down and side to side and enabling you to talk, chew, and yawn. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw joint control the position and movement of the jaw.
The cause of TMD is not always apparent, but dental professionals believe that the disorder can be caused by problems with the muscles of the jaw or with the parts of the temporomandibular joint. It is believed that one cause of TMD is an Injury to the jaw, temporomandibular joint, or muscles of the head and neck. This can occur in many different ways including impacts to the head or face or in a rapid acceleration/deceleration incident such as a rear end motor vehicle collision.
One of the main issues with proving the causal relationship of TMD to a particular incident is that there are other common causes of this condition including grinding or clenching the teeth, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The temporal relationship of the condition to an accident can help establish this causal relationship. For this reason, it is essential to seek medical or dental consultations as soon as jaw pain is experienced following an incident. It is also important to note that the treating doctor or dentist should be made aware that you never experienced these problems prior to the incident, if that is, in fact, the case.
The symptoms of TMJ Syndrome or TM Disorder can last for years and even be permanent.TMJ Syndrome or TM Disorder can cause significant and debilitating symptoms including extreme discomfort, swelling and pain in the face, jaw, neck, ears and shoulders when chewing, yawning or talking. It can also prevent one from opening their mouth very wide as well as cause the jaw to lock in both the open or closed position. It is common to experience clicking, popping or grinding noises in the jaw when opening and closing the mouth. Other symptoms of TMD include toothaches, headaches, earaches and hearing problems, including tinnitis (an annoying ringing or high pitched tone in the ears).Individuals experiencing TMD may experience embarrassing situations when the jaw becomes locked during conversations or social situations.
In some cases, the symptoms of TMJ disorders may disappear without treatment. If symptoms persist, however, there are a variety of treatments available ranging from conservative to extreme.
A number of medications may help relieve TMD symptoms. This includes over the counter pain medications for mild pain or prescription strength medications for more severe cases. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, were originally designed as an antidepressant but now are also used for pain relief. Also, muscle relaxers such as Flexeril or sedatives such as Klonopin may prove helpful to relieve the symptoms caused by TMD.
Non-medication treatments include the use of bite guards which can help reduce the effects of tooth grinding which causes pressure on the TMJ. Also, treatments such as ultrasound, moist heat and ice along with physical therapy techniques used to stretch and strengthen the jaw may prove helpful to relieve symptoms.
Lastly, when these conservative treatments prove inefficacious more extreme techniques may prove necessary. If the condition appears to be caused by a structural problem with the jaw, a surgeon may be required to repair (reposition) or replace the joint. This is generally considered a last resort. Other invasive techniques that have fewer possible complications include the use of arthrocentisis, which involves the insertion of a needle into the joint for the purpose of injecting fluid to remove debris that may be causing the pain. In some cases, the injection of corticosteroids may be used to relieve pain and other symptoms.
If you are suffering from the effects of temporomandibular joint syndrome or temporomandibular disorder and would like to discuss whether you may have an injury that is eligible for compensation, call one of our attorneys at the Boston law firm of Sheff Law conveniently located close to public transportation at Government Center. Our attorneys have extensive experience in dealing with TMJ injuries. They understand that TMD causes not only pain and discomfort but can result in lost wages and even the inability to speak. The lawyers at Sheff Law understand that our clients need an attorney with whom they can speak to discuss their concerns and explain the hurdles they are facing. Our attorneys have a combined 140 years of experience in handling personal injury cases and we take pride in being available to our clients to discuss these issues. See our proven results page for details of some of our best case outcomes.
Because you have a limited period of time to pursue a personal injury claim in Massachusetts, it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible following an incident. Your attorney will be able to assist you understand your condition, your treatment options and preserve crucial evidence needed to prove your case.
To schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced TMJ lawyer at the Boston law firm of Sheff Law, call 617.227-7000 or 888-423-4477 (toll free) or contact us online. Our experienced Massachusetts personal injury attorneys will listen to the details of your case, explain your legal options, and answer any questions you may have. We promptly respond to all calls and e-mails. If your injury makes traveling to our office difficult or impossible, we are willing and able to travel to meet you. Please note that we take all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis: we charge no fee unless you recover.
