TMJ Injury

Why is an experienced attorney critical to my TMJ injury case?

Without an experienced attorney representing you, it's possible that:

• the insurance company has denied your TMJ injury claim,
• they have ignored your calls, hoping you tire and go away,
• they make an offer to you that is insulting,
• they have told you that your TMJ injury wasn't a result of the accident, or that there is no physical evidence to support your injury claim.
  

DO NOT believe them.

What is a TMJ injury?
TMJ is short for "temporomandibular joints." These joints are responsible for connecting the jawbone to the skull. They are positioned at the sides of your head near each ear. The joints play a critical role regarding a person's ability to eat, speak, and make facial expressions. The temporomandibular joint's importance cannot be understated, as it one of the most frequently used and complex joints in your body.

A TMJ injury occurs when when the joints are functioning improperly and affecting your ability to eat, speak, or make facial expressions. And though TMJ injuries are an after effect of car crashes and other personal injury related accidents, the following will cover TMJ in much broader terms so as to give you a better understanding of the condition and its treatment options.

TMJ typically falls into 3 categories:

Myofascial pain--This refers to the discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function. It can also involve the muscles in the neck and shoulders.

Internal derangement of the joint--This refers to the displacement of the disc that acts as a cushion between the skull and lower jaw.

Inflammatory joint disease:
Arthritis--This is an inflammatory condition that affects a joint. Various forms of Arthritis can affect the TMJ such as Degenerative (Osteoarthritis), Rheumatoid, Traumatic, Infectious, Psoriatic, and Gouty Arthritis.
Synovitis--This is an inflammatory condition of the synovial membrane. The synovial membrane lines the joint and produces a fluid that lubricates the joint.

What can cause a TMJ injury?

TMJ injuries can have any number of sources. The following are causes most often associated with TMJ injuries:

Trauma
Acute trauma to the jaw and/or muscles of the jaw is a leading cause of TMJ injury and can often be attributed to car accidents, falls, punches, etc.

In regard to auto accidents, a collision at a speed as low as 9 mph can cause whiplash, which can then cause a dislocation of the jaw joint. If you have dislocated your jaw joint, you may notice immediate pain associated with a TMJ injury. It's also possible that it will take years for your symptoms to arise.

Previous fractures
A fracture to the jaw that has never properly healed can be the source of a TMJ injury, as the misaligned bone can place constant stress on the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles.

Teeth grinding and teeth clenching {Bruxism}
Consciously or unconsciously moving your teeth back and forth over each other (teeth grinding) will not only wear down the teeth and might cause misalignment, but it also causes wear on the cartilage lining of the temporomandibular joint.

Teeth clenching is caused when you forcefully press the upper and lower teeth together. This places stress on the facial muscles, tissues, and jaw.

Dental problems or misalignment of teeth {Malocclusion}
If your teeth do not fit together properly, your jaw muscles must compensate for the misalignment. The added muscle tension caused by a misalignment can cause pain and reveal signs of a possible TMJ disorder. It's important to remember that a misaligned bite can cause TMJ, and that the misalignment can get worse from the TMJ disorder.

Emotion
Stress is commonly identified and the underlying cause of a TMJ injury. Stress will often cause you to consciously or unconsciously tighten your facial and jaw muscles, as well as grind or clench your teeth, either while awake or asleep. This constant wear and tear on the jaw and/or muscles of the jaw plays havoc with their ability to function properly.

Certain occupational tasks
Tasks such as holding a telephone between your head and shoulder can place the surrounding muscles of the face and neck under great stress. This repetitive posture can be a likely source for a TMJ disorder.

What are some symptoms of TMJ?
Only a physician can correctly and accurately diagnose a TMJ injury; however, you may experience any of the following symptoms that indicate serious injury:

• A clicking sound when opening or closing your mouth, especially when chewing
• Locking of your jaw
• Difficulty or discomfort while chewing or biting
• Tenderness or dull, aching pain in face, especially when awaking
• Persistent headaches
• Ringing in the ear
• Pain in neck, shoulders and back
• Stuffiness or pain in your sinus area
• Hearing problems
• Dizziness
• Sensitive teeth
• Depression
• Light sensitivity
  
  

How is TMJ diagnosed by a doctor?
It's not unlikely that you will need to be seen by more than one doctor to receive a proper diagnosis for your TMJ injury. Depending on the symptoms, you may need to see a combination of your primary care physician, your dentist, and an ear, nose, throat (ENT) doctor.

Testing may consist of the following:

• An MRI of the jaw area
• Physical examination of the joint and muscles to test for tenderness
• Sliding of your teeth from side to side
• An examination by your dentist to view your bite alignment
• Having your doctor Watch, listen, and feel as your jaw opens and closes
• Undergoing x-rays to reveal any abnormalities in the jaw
• Pressing on different areas of the head to test for sensitivity or pain

How will my doctor treat my TMJ injury?
There are a number of non-evasive therapies that your doctor may prescribe to help relieve the symptoms your TMJ is causing.

Surgery is usually a last resort for TMJ injuries and is used less and less in in present day practices. Fortunately, there is a long list of helpful treatments that minimize TMJ symptoms long before surgery is even a consideration.

Some of the treatments most often prescribed are:

• Gentle massaging of the various jaw muscles and surrounding tissue,
• Heat or ice applications applied to the affected area,
• Stress management techniques,
• Mouth guards, also referred to as splints or appliances
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Orthodontics
  
  

TMJ is often misunderstood by insurance companies, and unless there is direct impact to the jaw and a substantial collision, they may try to deny your claim.

Recent studies have led researchers to findings that show accident victims who suffered whiplash in the car accident were 5 times more likely to develop TMJ pain or discomfort than those in the control group who did not suffer whiplash-type injuries. After one year, 34% of those initially suffering whiplash had TMJ symptoms, compared with only 7% among the non-whiplash group.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, don't let the insurance company tell you that your TMJ symptoms are not related to the crash.

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