• A comprehensive examination is a diagnosis and planning  appointment that every patient should experience.  While some treatment may be done without a comprehensive exam, there is no doubt that a thorough evaluation  before beginning any restorative or cosmetic dentistry  is necessary to fully understand your dental health and to develop a treatment plan that is optimal and individualized for you.
  

• The main areas included in your examination will be your tooth structure, the state of your gum tissues and the function of your bite.  A series of dental photographs will be taken, dental charting of existing teeth and restorations, a survey of any tooth decay, the health of your gums, an analysis of the soft tissue in your mouth such as your tongue, palate and cheeks, and the function of  jaw and bite to determine how your teeth fit together and how the bite may be affecting your jaw joint known as the temporomandibular joint or TMJ.

• Up to 15 percent of people in the United States experience pain as a result of TMJ disorders, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.  Women in their early 20s and between the ages of 40 and 50 are most likely to have TMJ disorders, but it can affect everyone. 

Signs and symptoms of a jaw joint problem

• Symptoms of TMJ disorders may include headaches, tenderness of the chewing muscles and clicking or locking of the joints.  Recurring headaches that do not respond to usual medical treatment may be caused by TMJ disorders.  Other symptoms may include pain or stiffness of the neck, dizziness, earaches or stuffiness in the ears and disrupted sleep.  Pain and discomfort may be mild to severe, can be intermittent or constant and may last for years. It can be associated with upper and lower back pain and muscle soreness or stiffness when you wake up in the morning.

• Your comprehensive evaluation to determine any TMJ problems may include:
  • A medical history questioning how long you’ve experienced the pain, if you’ve   had an injury to your jaw and any recent dental work,
  • Listening to and feeling your jaw when you open and close it,
  • Measuring the range of motion of your jaw,
  • Examining your bite to check for abnormalities in the alignment of your jaws,
  • Looking for high fillings, a tipped tooth, and displaced teeth that can cause a      misalignment of the jaw,
  • Checking for wear patterns that may indicate teeth grinding,
  • Applying light pressure in areas around your jaw to identify any pain or discomfort,
  • Determining any stress you’re experiencing and how you’re copying with it.

What causes TMJ disorders?

• Problems with the jaw joint often result from  a combination of muscle tension and structural problems with the joint itself.  The problems may include:
  • Misalignment of the upper and lower sets of teeth, missing teeth, toothache,       injury to the head or neck, and clenching or grinding of the teeth while asleep,
  • Malfunctioning of the joint,
  • Arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis,
  • Ankylosis (fusion of the bones within the joint or the deposit of calcium into body  tissues),
  • Looseness of the jaw as a result of stretched ligaments in the jaw

Treating TMJ disorders

• When symptoms of TMJ problems persist, Dr. Arfanis most likely will recommend conservative treatments to alleviate pain, correct dental problems that contribute to the pain or help you to get rid of habits that make the symptoms more severe.
• Treatment may consist of:
• Changing harmful habits such as clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, and chewing on your lip that cause tension on your joint,
• Reducing over-use of the joint by eating soft foods and smaller pieces, avoiding sticky and chewy foods and gum chewing to reduce the use of jaw muscles,
• Performing exercises to stretch the muscles and massaging techniques,
• Applying hot or cold compresses to the side of your face to relax muscles,
• Taking anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin),
• Wearing a plastic biteplate over your teeth to help align your upper and lower jaws,
• Preventing teeth grinding and excessive wear on your teeth through use of a night guard appliance,
• Practicing techniques to manage stress, change behavioral habits and learn relaxation methods.