JAW NOISES

By Dr. William Plumb, DDS, Plumb Dental

My patients often ask questions about clicking, popping, and crinkling noises associated with the jaws (temporomandibular joints or TMJ). In many cases, no treatment is necessary. Though it is more complex, the TMJ is still a joint like any other joint in your body, and sometimes, joints make noises. But if you’re experiencing clicking or popping, even if there’s no pain associated with the noise, it’s a good idea to consult with a dental professional. There may be an underlying condition that could lead to pain and other dysfunctions.

One of the leading causes of clicking or popping is overuse. If we clench or grind our teeth, chew gum frequently, or bite our nails, it causes the muscles around the joint to tighten up. This may alter the way the condyle of the mandible articulates with the fossa of the skull, and the disc that rests between them can be compressed in irregular ways, causing jaw sounds. Eating a soft diet and avoiding excessive stress on the jaw for a week or two is usually sufficient to allow the joint to relax and the popping to stop. Massage, temperature therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication can also be used to reduce muscle tightness.

In some cases, the clenching or grinding occurs while we sleep. This can result in TMJ soreness and noises as well as headaches and neck pain. Your dentist may recommend a TMJ appliance to help relieve the symptoms. These appliances are different from occlusal guards because not only do they protect the teeth, they reposition the jaw so that you’re not able to apply as much pressure to the joint.

Another great treatment option is Botox. There are different brands of botulinum toxin, but they all work as muscle relaxants by interfering with the signal between the nerves and the muscles. A few painless injections around the joint and the muscles relax, relieving the symptoms.

There can be other more serious causes of TMJ noises, so it’s important to talk to your dentist and receive a thorough examination accompanied by radiographs. Conditions such as arthritis, a broken or dislocated jaw, malocclusion of the teeth, or even infection can also be responsible for TMJ sounds. These conditions are not self-limiting and will likely continue to worsen unless effective treatment is sought and provided.

Crepitus is a term used to describe a grinding or crinkling sound. This can indicate a dislocation or possibly a tear of the disc, causing bone on bone contact. It’s critical to address an issue like this before too much degeneration of the bone occurs. Your dentist can walk you through the various treatment options, which can range from flushing the joint space with fluid in order to clear debris to surgically repairing and repositioning the disc to total joint replacement.

We are fortunate to live in a community where there is no shortage of talented dental professionals. I attend study clubs and continuing education courses with these providers and am always impressed with the degree of knowledge and clinical expertise that can be found right here in our small town. If you have any questions or concerns about TMJ issues you may be experiencing, there is someone who can help you right around the corner.

For more information about this subject or to schedule an appointment, please visit Plumb Dental at plumbdental.com or call 435-673-9606.

About the Author

Dr William Plumb graduated from the State University of New York School of Dentistry in 2006. He opened Plumb Dental in St George, Utah, in 2009. He has received extensive continuing education in cosmetic dentistry as well as oral surgery and implantology. Dr. Plumb loves living in southern Utah with his wife Kari and their four children.