At Northfield Dental Group, our patient-centric experts, Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein are temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder specialists with extensive experience managing functional disorders affecting the head, jaw, neck, shoulder, and other areas.
Many people don’t realize how extensive the damage from TMJ can be, so it might be surprising to learn that your neck and shoulder pain could be a direct result of TMJ. This blog explores how TMJ might affect you and what we can do to help.
Understanding TMJ and Its Symptoms
The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw and skull, allowing you to move smoothly when you talk, chew, and yawn. However, when this joint isn’t functioning properly, it can lead to a condition known as TMJ disorder. Symptoms of TMJ disorder can vary but often include:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw
- Difficulty fully opening your mouth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Ear pain or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Headaches
- Persistent neck and shoulder pain
- Change in your bite (how your teeth fit together)
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to schedule a TMJ evaluation.
How TMJ Causes Neck and Shoulder Pain
TMJ disorders start in the jaw but can spread far beyond it. The muscles around your jaw connect to the neck and shoulder muscles. When the TMJ isn’t working correctly, the neck and shoulder muscles overcompensate by working extra hard, leading to persistent pain and discomfort.
This problem called referred pain, is often mistaken for other conditions, explaining why TMJ is often a hidden culprit behind chronic neck and shoulder issues.
Diagnosing TMJ
To determine whether you have TMJ and whether it caused your symptoms, we perform a comprehensive evaluation. This may include a medical history review, a discussion about previous treatments, and a physical exam. We might also use X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to examine the affected joint and its surrounding structures.
Our doctors combine all the data from your evaluation to make your diagnosis and create a treatment plan for your neck and shoulder pain.
Treatment Options for TMJ
We offer a wide array of leading-edge treatments for TMJ disorders. Options may include:
- Dietary changes
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- A custom-made night guard (to protect against teeth grinding that often occurs with TMJ)
- Injection therapy: trigger point, steroid, Botox, or prolotherapy injections
Your treatment plan may also include other approaches. Our specialists have decades of experience creating personalized TMJ management plans, and we can help you find relief.
Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief in West Orange
You don’t have to suffer any longer. TMJ is a treatable condition, so call our office at (973) 736-0111 or request your appointment online now.
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