Although the TMJ can be the culprit for many other issues in the body, sometimes there are problems with the neck, head, or other areas of the spine that need to be addressed. Learn more about those areas. 

Oftentimes there is an element of hypermobilty that also needs to be addressed, and we have successfully been able to diagnose and help many people suffering from pain and dysfunction as a result of hyper mobile joints.  

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Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction are wide ranging

and complex, to learn more about symptoms

of TMJ issues, check out this post. 

 

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TMJ and jaw dynamics, assessment, and treatment are poorly understood and, contrary to popular belief, are not taught in either dental school or chiropractic school! Dr. Scoppa has combined knowledge from a number of dental and non-dental inspirations, and regularly works alongside dentists in complicated cases. Many areas of the body affect the way your teeth come together and the way your jaw sits, so it's important to have these assessed alongside the TMJ itself. Holistic care is much more successful than any standalone dental, orthodontic, or surgical intervention. Dr. Scoppa is the only non-dentist in the Seattle area that regularly works with TMJ patients, who comprise around 75% of his practice.

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TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, and pain or issues caused as a result of TMJ dysfunction is called TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders). These can be wide ranging and include headaches, neck and upper back pain, tinnitus, jaw pain, back pain, etc. Sometimes the jaw itself is the culprit, sometimes the jaw is just compensating form something else and is better off left alone. 

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The jaw itself is a complicated joint, with the jaw bone sitting in a disc on each side of the face directly in front of the ear canal. The jaw bone itself is connected into the cranium at the temporal bone (located on the side of your head).

Jaw issues can develop for many reasons, and rarely is there is a single cause of jaw pain or dysfunction.

 

Some common suspects include: 

• Hormonal issues

• High stress

• Leg length inequalities

• Sacrum and pelvic imbalances

• Upper cervical tension

• Grinding/Clenching

• Hypermobility in the jaw or generally in the body

• Compaction of the jaw bone (degeneration of mandibular head)

• Disc derangement (jaw bone slips off the jaw disc)

• Malocclusion (issues with the way the teeth fit together)

• Braces or Night Guards that don't fit well or are moving teeth/bone the wrong way

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Dr. Scoppa doesn't just throw treatment at the problem with fingers crossed, as is often the case with TMJ treatments. It all starts with diagnosing the problem, getting a good history and performing a good exam, and listening to the patients goals. For other areas of cranial facial pain, including headaches, neck pain or dysfunction such as tinnitus, learn more here. 

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