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How Long Does TMJ Last?

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Since late April, my TMJ pain has increased. Whenever I eat or open my mouth too wide, the pain is intense, and my jaw clicks. My ears are clogged most of the day. Although I take ibuprofen, I know it’s not a permanent solution. My dentist told me to give it some time, but I’m not feeling any real relief yet.  Will the pain eventually go away? – Thanks. Kenji

Kenji – TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain and discomfort can be treated in a variety of ways, including:

  • TMJ exercises
  • Alternately applying heat and cold packs to the side of your face where you are feeling symptoms
  • Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication

But self-care isn’t always the solution.

How Long Will Your TMJ Symptoms Last?

TMJ symptoms can last a few days or a few weeks. If left untreated, your symptoms might not go away at all. At-home care can provide temporary relief for a few days. Depending on the cause and complexity of your symptoms, a long-term solution might be needed.

What Will a TMJ Dentist Do?

Examination

A dentist who is trained in diagnosing and treating TMJ issues will first examine your teeth and jaw joint. The exam will help determine if your symptoms are TMJ related.

Diagnosis

Your dentist will let you know if the problem is related to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), your bite (the way your teeth fit together), or another issue.

Treatment

  • Night guard – A night guard might be prescribed for you to wear while you’re asleep. The appliance repositions your lower jaw and helps prevent teeth grinding (bruxism), which can contribute to TMJ symptoms.
  • Orthodontic treatment – At times, orthodontic treatment is needed to correctly align your teeth and prevent pain and discomfort associated with a misaligned bite.
  • Therapy – Your dentist might recommend at-home exercises or physical therapy to relieve your pain and discomfort. Treatment can include learning how to correctly position your tongue, teeth, and jaw when at rest because some postures increase discomfort.

 

Schedule an appointment with a dentist who has advanced training and experience in treating TMJ disorders. After an examination, he or she will let you know your treatment options.

This post is sponsored by Philadelphia, PA dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Jaw Pain from Dental Appointment

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I had my teeth prepared for both crowns and porcelain veneers on my upper arch. I’m almost a week out and my jaw is still in massive pain. I ache constantly. My dentist suggested taking Ibuprofen, which I have been, but I feel like I’m living on the pills. Could my dentist have caused a TMJ problem? He’s going to be gone for a week. Do I need to see another dentist or can I wait until he gets back?

Missy

Dear Missy,

woman holding her her jaw in pain

This sounds pretty normal for what you’ve been through. Your mouth had to be propped open for quite a while. Soreness in your jaw is to be expected. It may even go on for another week or so. In addition to the pain medicine, you can do hot and cold compresses to help give you some relief.

If your dentist is gone for a week, he should have made arrangements with another dentist to care for his patients in the case of a dental emergency. I don’t think this is one, but if things get worse you can call your office and there should be a number on their answering machine for the dentist he’s made arrangements with.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

While jaw pain is a symptom of TMJ, that in isolation isn’t usually a sign. There are generally other things which accompany jaw pain. Some examples would be:

  • Popping or clicking of your jaw
  • Migraines, especially in the morning
  • A change in your bite
  • Neck pain

If any of these symptoms develop, that would be when you should talk to a dentist about TMJ disorder. There are tests a dentist can run to help determine if this is an issue for you.

Don’t go to any dentist about this, though. You want a dentist who has invested time in TMJ training after dental school. You’ve had what sounds like a full-mouth reconstruction. When this is done properly, it can actually treat TMJ disorder. But, if it is done improperly it can make things worse. That’s why you should keep an eye on those other symptoms.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Should I Get a Second Opinion from a TMJ Specialist?

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I mentioned to my dentist that I wish my teeth were whiter. He mentioned because I have two crowns, I’d need to get those re-done first to match. He also looked closer at all my teeth and said my bite is off which means I have TMJ and need to get all the teeth crowned to fix it. This seems a bit excessive to me. Plus, it really surprised me to hear my bite was off. I had braces in my middle school years and didn’t feel like anything had changed since then. I’m thinking I should get a second opinion. What do you think?

Carla

Dear Carla,

Woman in pain with TMJ

I’m a little concerned with what I’m hearing. Let’s start with the teeth whitening. You don’t crown teeth to whiten them. Yes, you have a couple of crowns and they will have to be re-done to match but that will be AFTER your teeth are whitened. Not before. Otherwise, how will he know what shade of white to make them?

Now, about this crowning every tooth. This is called a full-mouth reconstruction and is usually reserved for more severe TMJ Cases. You haven’t mentioned any symptoms of TMJ Disorder. Without that, you should have serious doubts about this recommendation.

TMJ Symptoms

  • Jaw Pain
  • Popping in Your Jaw
  • Clicking in Your Jaw
  • Migraines, especially in the morning
  • Teeth Grinding or clenching

See a TMJ Dentist

I agree you need a second opinion. There isn’t a recognized specialty in TMJ Disorder. As such, there aren’t really any TMJ “Specialists”. However, there are dentists who have invested a great deal of time in studying TMJ Disorder and the different treatment options. Treatment is determined by first finding the underlying cause.

You want a dentist who has studied TMJ and occlusion at one of the reputable post-doctoral schools, such as The Dawson Academy, the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies, and The Kois Center.

Dentists who’ve studied at one of these schools are qualified to help diagnose your problem and come up with a good treatment. Most dentists prefer to start with the most conservative treatments first to see if that solves it before delving into something as invasive (and expensive) as a full-mouth reconstruction.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

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