Can wisdom teeth cause TMJ? You might have heard of an acquaintance or a friend who observed symptoms of the TMJ (temporomandibular) joints such as jaw clapping or locking, jaw aches, or clicking. You may be asking, can wisdom teeth cause TMJ shortly after a dental surgeon removed the wisdom teeth? Given the timing of the occurrences, people might have attributed their TMJ signs to their wisdom teeth.
Nevertheless, it is essential to understand that impacted wisdom teeth never cause TMJ disease. They are commonly removed since they initiate other problems. For instance, damage and discomfort to nearby teeth while they keep trying to crack a jaw that doesn’t have adequate space for them. Besides, extracting the affected wisdom teeth will not get the symptoms away if the condition causing them is a TMJ.
Regardless of if TMJ occurs after wisdom teeth removal, patients should be inspected by a specialist if they are suspicious of any condition. These oral surgeons have a comprehensive understanding of the temporomandibular joint’s functioning and composition. This allows them to determine which specific part of the jaw causes the malfunction.
For this reason, specialists are well skilled in treating patients with TMJ conditions; however, invasive procedures might not be needed for the patient to have some relief. Symptoms can go away with non-invasive means, for example, massage physical therapy, depending on the base of the problem. Stress controlling techniques can also be of importance, as the signs are often worsened by stress.
In situations where surgery might be required (for instance, a birth fault in the jaw is the cause of your TMJ condition), it might be commended. However, for maximum convenience, the procedure can be achieved on an outpatient basis.
Wisdom Teeth and TMJ
Wisdom teeth usually occur between the age of 17 and 21, when younger adults and older teens begin to gain wisdom as they age. Dr. Bruce Vafa DDS. from West Hollywood Holistic Cosmetic Dental Care cites that TMJ problems might be rooted in unhealthy wisdom teeth. These are back molars that don’t erupt healthily; they can emerge halfway or all the way below the gum.
To be familiar with the connection of wisdom teeth and TMJ, you should be aware of the mechanisms related to TMJ disorders. The TMJ joints are the axes on both sides of the face that link the jaw with the skull. The temporomandibular conditions harm the joints, including the masseter muscles and related structures.
Those with TMJ condition are likely to have:
• Limited range of motion of the jaw
• Pops and licks when opening and closing your mouth
• Facial pain
• Muscle strain
Wisdom teeth are usually problematic and give rise to TMD and many other issues as the mouth often do not have room to develop the latter. Our ancestors required those teeth to grind up the tough, hard foods they consumed many years ago. Today, with progression in terms of food consumed and jaw development, wisdom teeth are an unnecessary (vestigial) organ, like the appendix or coccyx.
When wisdom teeth fail to break through the gums or land in the wrong position, they might get stuck and upset adjacent teeth’ roots. They might also result in crowding, pushing healthy teeth into positions that are unhealthy. Those suffering from impacted tooth might suddenly have trouble chewing food.
TMJ after Wisdom Teeth Removal
So can a patient suffer from TMJ after wisdom teeth removal? Yes, it sometimes happens that patients develop TMJ disorders after undergoing wisdom tooth extraction. We have witnessed this occurs when patients already have pre-existing TMJ problems that escalate after wisdom teeth extraction.
A question of whether you can get TMJ after wisdom teeth surgery also arises. In people with a healthy jawbone, the chances of this disorder are low. However, those with jaw conditions may get TMJ after wisdom teeth surgery.
Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause TMJ?
An impacted wisdom tooth can cause the same discomfort as TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disease. Discomfort from impacted wisdom teeth and TMJ can cause pain in the jaw that radiates to the ear and other face parts. Flaws in the temporomandibular joint mainly cause TMJ disorders. Although impacted wisdom teeth might result in TMJ disorders by putting excessive pressure on the jawline, this is a relatively rare condition. This disorder is more likely to be because of muscle tension, damage to the jaw, or malocclusions.
If you have jaw problems and have never had a wisdom tooth removed, you should see a dental surgeon. He will find out the exact cause of the pain, and you will receive effective medication, which in other cases may include dental surgery.
So, can impacted wisdom teeth cause TMJ? Wisdom teeth are unlikely to cause TMJ disorder. However, other issues can arise when the big third molars try to pop into a jawbone that does not have enough room for them. The affected wisdom tooth is more likely to develop tumors or cysts. They might cause teeth to stand out while keeping the smile under pressure.
It is also tough to keep the back part of the jawline clean, making the affected wisdom teeth more prone to abscesses and infections. Most patients will opt to have a dental surgeon preventively remove their affected wisdom teeth to evade these consequences.
What Can Cause These Disorders to Escalate?
Several factors can lead to the escalation of the disorder. Ligaments can weaken because of gum chewing, grinding teeth, or only from normal deterioration. In the TMJ joint, an already weakened intervertebral disc (condyle) can deteriorate to the stage of a disorder if a patient undertakes oral surgery and has to open their mouth wide for a lengthy period.
What Could Indicate a Patient Has Possible TMJ Disease?
Sometimes patients experience popping, clicking, or grating noises in their jawbones for a long time (weeks or sometimes months) without pain or problems with normal jaw function. These outwardly harmless symptoms can be easy to ignore. However, when TMJ condition surfaces, it can quickly become upsetting.
Contact the Experts
Dr. Bruce Vafa DDS., a Holistic Dentist in Los Angeles, will help you avoid all the hostile problems related to wisdom teeth not developing properly. Also, other complications, like TMJ symptoms and bite problems. He will do this with stress on prevention and identifying wisdom teeth problems through X-rays, examination, and further diagnostics. He will then intervene early to solve the issue. He can extract most wisdom teeth quickly and painlessly at his office in West Hollywood Holistic Cosmetic Dental Care. The treatment site is completely numbed, and sedative alternatives may promote relaxation during the procedure.
At West Hollywood Holistic Cosmetic Dental Care, we accept many types of insurance, including Medicaid. Often, insurance policies cover wisdom tooth extractions as a medically-needed procedure. This is because impacted or broken teeth can result in all kinds of additional issues such as cysts, infections, and nerve and bone damage.
Our Holistic Dentist in Los Angeles also takes a multi-faceted method to treat TMJ-related issues. Not narrowed to bite correction with oral and orthodontic appliance therapy, lifestyle changes guidance, and restorative treatments that can enhance your symptoms and minimize your dependence on painkillers. For any consultation or to schedule an appointment with our dentist, contact us today.
