What Causes TMJ Problems?
You may clench or grind your teeth. This is usually stress related and results in tightening your jaw muscles and increasing pressure in your temporomandibular joint. Or, you may have damaged your jaw joint due to injury or disease. It is important to understand that more than one cause may be involved in TMJ problems. These causes must be identified and be resolved or, at least, be under control. If this is not the case, TMJ treatment may be initially successful, but then symptoms usually return, with ultimate treatment failure. This is especially true if jaw habits of clenching or grinding the teeth are not identified and controlled. Loss of posterior teeth, ill fitting and worn dentures and poor occlusion (bite) may also cause or contribute to TMJ disorders.
