Children with TMJ related problems develop growth defects that can affect their facial profiles and bites well into adulthood.
Adults with TMJ related problems have jaw joints that can begin to break down. These types of patients often present with ongoing facial profile changes and bites that do not feel right, along with multiple types of pain complaints to the head, face, jaw and neck.
Facial Profile Issues
Bite Issues
Adult TMJ patients often present with bad bites, including worn, broken teeth with the front teeth no longer touching. Facial profiles with the chin seeming to drop back and or distorting to one side, especially if on going, can be indicative of an active disease process and breakdown within the jaw joints. Pain patterns of the TMJ patient can involve the jaw joint, teeth, muscles, face, head and neck as but a few examples. The pain can come and go and vary in intensity and location depending on the severity of the jaw joint pathology.
KEY: ONLY MRI WILL REVEAL WHETHER JAW JOINT AND OR GROWTH CENTER DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED AND WHETHER THE JAW JOINTS ARE STABLE OR BREAKING DOWN. MRI IS A NON IONIZING TYPE OF RADIATION WITH NO HARMFUL RISKS.