Welcome to Aspen’s page on Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, where we embrace a holistic perspective to address various TMJ concerns. Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), also known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction or TMJ syndrome, refers to a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull, allowing you to open and close your mouth, chew, and speak. These conditions are typically more common in women and can affect any age range. Our physicians at Aspen Integrative Medical Center specialize in identifying the underlying causes and using non-invasive treatment options to restore function. 

The most common symptoms of TMJ disorders includes:

• Jaw pain – when opening/closing mouth, chewing, and/or talking
• Cracking/clicking of TMJ
• Ear pain
• Headaches
• Facial or tooth pain
• Difficulty chewing, eating food, swallowing
• Joint locking
• Neck pain and muscle tension

Accurate diagnosis is a crucial step in developing effective treatment plans. Our naturopathic doctors employ a thorough and holistic approach to diagnosing TMJ disorders. This includes detailed patient history, physical examination, identification of potential triggers, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals when necessary. Diagnostic tools may include imaging, laboratory tests, and allergy assessments.

Determining the underlying cause(s) is vital to receive the appropriate treatment. Our physicians commonly see the following causes:

• Narrow or obstructed airway
• Jaw malocclusion
• Imbalanced facial muscles
• Head and neck tension
• Bruxism (teeth grinding) causes extreme tension in the TMJ
• Thumb-sucking in children can cause overbite putting stress on the TMJ
• Osteoarthritis and joint degeneration
• Trauma to the head and/or jaw can injure the tendons and joint area of the TMJ
• Stress and anxiety
• Autoimmune disease
• Connective tissue disease such as Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome and other Hypermobile Spectrum Disorders
• Allergies

Our physicians take considerable pride in fine-tuning our physical exam skills, so we can properly identify the underlying causes and severity of TMJ disorders. It insures our patients the best care and attention. We frequently inspect for the following:

• Palate Abnormalities
  • High arched or narrow could indicate airway dysfunction which can be a root cause of TMJ disorders. High arched or narrow palate is common in genetic connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, these findings should prompt further assessment.
  • Torus palette, also a common finding in connective tissue disorders and a large percentage of people without disease have this finding
• Tight Musculature of the Face
  • Buccinator, masseter, temporalis, frontalis => If tight or hypertonic patient may have trouble keeping their mouth open, fatigue easily or complain of pain with pressure
• Dental Crowding
  • Could represent jaw misalignment, narrow palate, connective tissue disorder
• Deviation or Retraction of Jaw
  • Face the patient and have them open and close their mouth, check for lateral displacement of jaw during opening and closing. Can also place your index fingers in the ear canal meatus and have the patient open and close their mouth checking for symmetry and clicking of the TMJs
• Cranial Bone Restrictions
  • Cranial restrictions especially of the temporal bone, bones of the palate, and jaw can severely restrict the movement of the TMJ. Dr. Alexandra Mele specializes in craniosacral therapy to help resolves such restrictions.

At Aspen Integrative Medical Center, we take an integrative approach to your TMJ disorder looking to reverse the underlying cause(s) of your symptoms. We offer the following therapies: 

• Craniosacral therapy
• Deep tissue laser therapy
• Regenerative joint injections such as prolozone
• Botanical medicine such as anti-spasmodics, anti-inflammatories, and pain relieving herbs can be extremely helpful
• Oral nutrients such as magnesium, b vitamins, and other minerals to support normal muscle, tendon, and bone health  
• Acupuncture

When the severity of your TMJ disorder warrants higher force therapies we’ll refer out appropriately. We frequently refer out for:

• Imaging
• Holistic/biological dentists
• Myofunctional therapy 
• Physical therapy

Experience our unique approach to TMJ disorders at our naturopathic clinic. Schedule a consultation today for a personalized and holistic approach to regaining normal function of your mouth and jaw.