I recently had the privilage of speaking to a group of extremely open minded (+ like minded) dentists in Jindabyne, Australia. Its a rare opportunity and I’m ever so grateful to be able to share my craft with them to an ailment that many have considered as a pain that no one seems to understand. I follow a discussion group on FB about TMJ/TMD. The agony and pain that I see people post have the common denominator of frustration. Much of that frustration is a combination of 1. not being able to find the root cause, 2. having tried “everything” without avail, 3. their provider not BELIEVING their pain. That last one is a tough one to swallow. I always tell my patients from the start of our consultation; “Whatever you feel, however big, however small; is ALWAYS true to you. No one else feels what you feel. Do not let anyone tell you HOW you should feel.” After that little schpeel is out of the way. I often see a sigh of relief followed by a smile. For some, there’s years of that internal dialogue that needs to be torn down in order for that self confidence of reading and knowing one’s body to be firmly in place. If you’re still reading this, which I am hoping that you are. This is the first step in healing.
On to the topic at hand. Many who complains of TMJ issues often complains of neck tension as well. Some even have headaches on top of that. When there are different pains happening simultaneously; which one is primary? Is one leading to the next? Can they possibly be (in this scenario) 3 separate issues?
Which came first?
The CHICKEN? or the EGG?
Wellllllll….its more complicated than that. Someone who had their teeth knocked out (I know…extreme example) and had a reconstruction and developed TMD will be very different of a case compared to someone who had a fender bender and developed TMD a year or two after. Another big part of the equation is developmental. How’s airway, how did the mandible and maxilla develop, had there been orthodontic work?
No 2 case histories are alike; like a unique snowflake. Regardless of the initiating events; the current problems at hand are TMD and neck tension. What I can provide are 2 key foundational components.
That bite’s influence on the neck/spine. Here’s an interesting study on it: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7842106_The_Influence_of_an_Experimentally-Induced_Malocclusion_On_Vertebral_Alignment_in_Rats_A_Controlled_Pilot_Study
It a 2005 study, so this fact of bite positioning afflicting the spine has been around for a while. In the study, a group of rats were subjected to bite malocclusion. (even if you’re reading my summary here, please click on the article’s link to see the photo as it profoundly speak a thousand words). A rat was photographed at “normal” - nothing has yet to be manipulated. Then it was photographed with composites on a tooth to create a misalignment of the bite. When the misalignment occurred; changes to the spine was the result. Lastly, the bite was manipulated to be balanced; and the spine was once again balanced as well.
YES! The bite is a very important factor. But its not the only one. Stay tuned for Part 2.
Sharing ideas and demonstrating how the bite influences the neck. It is only via discussions and learning that we can help people in our communities.