8 Consequences and Complications of Untreated TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joints are located at each side of the head, right in front of your ears. The joints connect the jaw to the skull and support oral functions like eating, speaking, yawning, and opening and closing the mouth.

Unfortunately, these joints can develop problems, causing a wide array of issues like discomfort and jaw stiffness. Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ or TMD, is a condition that causes pain and dysfunctions in the temporomandibular. While it affects millions, TMJ often goes undiagnosed and untreated, which can lead to significant complications. This article explores the potential consequences of Ignoring or delaying treatment for TMJ.

Symptoms of TMJ

You should visit our dentist near you for temporomandibular joint dysfunction treatments if you have the following symptoms:

• Mild to severe jaw pain or tenderness, especially near the joints
• Difficulty or discomfort chewing or opening the mouth
• Aching pain in the face, head, or ears
• Locking or stiff jaw
• Pain in the neck or shoulder
• Jaw popping or clicking
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• A change in how your teeth or denture fit

While some symptoms of TMJ can resolve independently without treatment, it’s best to see a dentist to understand the root cause and appropriate treatment options.

The Consequences of Untreated TMJ Disorders

If treatment for TMJ is ignored or delayed, it can lead to serious and potentially serious complications over time. These can include:

1. Chronic jaw pain and inflammation

Severe, persistent, chronic pain is perhaps the most immediate consequence of untreated TMJ. While TMJ pain may be mild and inconsistent, it can aggravate gradually, primarily due to trigger habits like chewing, speaking, and stress.

Over time, the damage to the joints can worsen, resulting in severe pain and inflammation in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. Treating TMJ can help address the underlying issue, alleviate discomfort and inflammation, and prevent long-term complications.

2. Chronic joint damage

If your temporomandibular joints are damaged or broken, the damage will only get worse if not treated promptly and rested. It can even lead to permanent jaw damage or dislocation. Unfortunately, these issues can lead to the need for invasive procedures like surgery and further complications like chronic pain, inflammation, and difficulty moving the jaw, eating, speaking, or yawning.

3. Impaired jaw function

TMJ can affect your jaw movements, making it stiff or stuck in an open or closed position. This can cause significant jaw function impairments, causing great discomfort or difficulty when speaking, chewing, and brushing.

4. Compromised oral health

TMJ disorders can trigger issues like teeth grinding and clenching, which can cause significant tooth damage like chips, cracks, and decay. TMJ can cause inflammation of the jaw and face, leading to misalignments and asymmetrical muscle development.

5. Headaches

Chronic TMJ is often associated with headaches and migraines. Untreated TMJ can cause significant stiffness and pain in the jaw, radiating to nearby structures like the head, causing tension headaches and migraines. TMJ headaches can be chronic and return as soon as pain relievers wear off.

6. Hearing problems

The close distance between your temporomandibular joints and ears can cause ear problems. Untreated TMJ symptoms like pain, popping, and inflammation can be transferred to the ears, causing earaches, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and fullness in the ears. These ear problems can result in further complications like sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, and vertigo.

7. Airway sleep disorders

Untreated TMJ symptoms like severe pain and inflammation can disrupt sleep, making falling or staying asleep difficult. Similarly, TMJ can result in jaw stiffness, leading to bruxism and sleep apnea, further compromising your sleep and worsening jaw discomfort.

8. Decreased quality of life

TMJ disorders cause uncomfortable symptoms like jaw, face, ears, neck, and shoulder pain. It can also cause significant inflammation and stiffness in the jaw, making it uncomfortable and difficult to eat, speak, brush, yawn, sleep, and perform other basic functions. These symptoms can hugely impact your overall quality of life, causing you to feel miserable and unenergetic. TMJ disorder treatments can help address these symptoms and help you live your life fully.