So I've had TMJ or TMD (not sure what the proper name is) for about 3 to 4 years. It started when I was about 14/15 and now i'm 17 going on 18. It started on my right side, then about a year later I developed it on my left side as well. I never experience any pain, except for maybe a few instances in the past. I have popping on both sides. Sometimes the popping is dull and other times its sharp and loud. Not sure what to make of this, as I've heard that this problem is typically accompanied by pain. I sometimes shift my jaw to avoid the popping, but this only works for the left side. My right will pop no matter how I open it. The sides both generally pop after I open my mouth about an inch and try to open further. I used to have braces for 3 years. From the ages of 9 to 12 I had them, and I didn't wear my retainer for a couple years (very stupid i know). But my teeth only slightly shifted. Could the TMJ be from my teeth moving which may have caused an uneven bite? I also clench my teeth a bit. Could that be a cause? And lastly I'm always a little stressed about something, and I've heard that can be a contributing factor. So basically I'm wondering will the TMJ worsen or get progressively bad over time and what I should do to prevent that. Lastly, when I open very wide and close my mouth in the mirror, I can see my jaw shift right to left as its closing. It seems like its popping back into place...or out of place? not sure. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Can't find too much info to suit my case on the net. So thanks a bunch!
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Yes you have TMJ or TMD and your symptoms are typical. There are basically 2 types of TMD - Primary and Secondary. Primary TMJ is also known as internal derangement and is the most common type. Secondary TMJ is much less common and is when a normal temporomandibular joint gets pushed into a pathologic state as a result of some external factor like extreme and severe clenching. Because most dentists are familiar only with Secondary TMJ, they falsely assume that clenching is the cause of all TMJ problems. In Primary TMJ, clenching and stress will aggravate the condition and NOT cause it. You have an internal derangement or Primary TMJ. Since you mentioned that you had braces, a very common cause of TMD is when bicuspids (aka premolars) were extracted for orthodontics. It is very unlikely that shifting teeth from not wearing your retainer was the cause. TMJ never goes away and always gets worse over time until it is corrected. I have posted detailed answers on how TMD can be corrected with functional orthodontics. Click on my avatar to see questions I have answered.
some amount of popping is there in everyone but should not worry if no pain is there.
your jaw muscles might be sore so start to apply warm hot towel around the TMJ area near the ears,for 5 min at night before going to sleep.
this helps to keep the muscles relaxed and you will find less popping.
mouth opening always has a slight shift of lower jaw which is normal.
no i dont think so . you probably have a cavity . tmj is clicking sounds in your jaws and pain .
i have it also. the dentist made me a bite plate it pushes your lower jaw in front of your top teeth so you cant clinch your teeth and jaw also you can take 600mg of ibuprofen a day this will help with inflammation