Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

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Are you living in pain due to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder? This condition is a common cause of chronic pain following a motor vehicle accident. Jaw pain following an accident isn’t normal. It’s important to have your injuries documented to protect your right to seek compensation if you’ve been hurt.

TMJ is a serious injury of the jaw joint that can drastically reduce a person’s quality of life. This injury can also require extensive and prolonged medical attention. In some cases, the pain and suffering can be permanent. If you’re suffering from TMJ disorder, it’s important to speak with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in jaw injuries. Keep reading to learn about your rights if you’re suffering from chronic jaw discomfort or pain following an accident.

What Are the Causes of Temporomandibular Disorders?

The temporomandibular joints are the two joints connecting your lower jaw and the part of your skull that’s known as the temporal bone. When properly aligned, these joints are responsible for allowing you to chew, talk, yawn, and swallow. When the joints come out of alignment, people experience pain and dysfunction. Everything from grinding to underlying pain disorders can trigger TMJ dysfunction. However, trauma to the jaw, head, or neck is one of the most common causes of TMJ dysfunction.

How Serious Is a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

Temporomandibular disorder has the potential to greatly diminish a person’s quality of life. The extreme pain that is experienced by many sufferers of TMJ disorder can make eating, drinking, and sleeping difficult. You may find yourself avoiding social situations because chewing and swallowing are simply too painful and embarrassing. When left untreated, this disorder can lead to chronic pain and inflammation that threatens your overall health and well-being. Many sufferers of jaw injuries also experience long-term health consequences tied to bite issues, tooth erosion, and sleep apnea after years of living with uncorrected misalignments. Risk factors also exist for developing depression and anxiety.

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What Are the Common Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders?

This disorder inflicts more than just “jaw pain.” It can greatly impact a person’s health, mood, and ability to participate in life. In fact, it’s very common for pain stemming from an injured jaw to spread to different areas of the upper body. Here’s a look at the common symptoms:

• Jaw soreness and discomfort.
• Intermittent and chronic headaches.
• Pain that spreads behind the eyes.
• Facial pain that radiates to the shoulders, neck, or back.
• Earaches.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Clicking jaw.
• Locking jaw.
• Grinding jaw.
• Limited range of motion in the mouth.
• Dizziness.
• Tooth sensitivity that isn’t accompanied by oral health issues.
• A change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.

Unfortunately, TMJ disorder is a medical condition that can impact overall health, musculoskeletal health, and oral health. It’s very common for people suffering from jaw conditions to end up with extensive dental issues that require extensive corrective work.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of TMJ Disorder?

One second of impact can leave a person with a lifetime of pain and dysfunction within the jaw joints. Many people experience diminished quality of life due to persistent headaches. These headaches can leave a person dizzy, disoriented, and sensitive to light and sound. They can also make it impossible to focus on job duties, schoolwork, and other essential tasks. In addition, many people with jaw disorders experience severe musculoskeletal pain that is caused by the muscles in the face, neck, and jaw overcompensating for the compromised temporal bone. Many people also suffer from a diminished quality of life due to the fact that a jaw disorder can cause sleep disturbances stemming from irregular breathing through the mouth. Years of physical therapy may be required to undo the harm of an injury to the jaw joint.

How Davie & Associates Law Can Help You Navigate Through a Temporomandibular Disorder Injury Case

Have you been left with pain and dysfunction due to a jaw injury? Don’t let anyone convince you to dismiss the serious and debilitating symptoms you’re living with. It’s time to talk with a lawyer to explore your options.

Davie & Associates specializes in cases involving jaw joints because we understand the severity of this type of injury. Our team can help you to understand your rights for seeking compensation if you’re living with pain, suffering, or diminished quality of life due to any injury you sustained during an accident. Our offices in Red Deer, Edmonton and Penticton make it easy to schedule a consultation with a lawyer to talk about your case. We’ll take your claim seriously. Contact Davie & Associates today for a consultation.

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