Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders involve significant pain and discomfort in the jaw region. Despite them affecting millions of people, knowledge of TMJ Disorders is lacking, and there are few treatments available. There are numerous problems facing those with TMJ disorders, including poor treatment outcomes, horror stories, and insurance difficulties.
Dental pain, such as toothache, is very difficult to live with. However, for some people, this pain can extend to the extent that they are diagnosed with what is called a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders cause significant discomfort, and are very difficult to live with [1]. There are a range of problems facing those with TMJ disorders.
Raising awareness of the difficulties associated with TMJ disorders is important, as it is a condition that many are unaware of. It can also help dentists to broaden their knowledge of the condition too.
About TMJ Disorders
As the name of the disorder suggests, TMJ disorders involve the temporomandibular joint. This is a crucial joint that connects the jawbone to the skull.
Whenever we do anything involving our mouth – such as chewing, eating, drinking, speaking or spitting – we use this joint.
When problems with the joint arise, it can turn into a diagnosable condition. These conditions impact around 33 million Americans. Women are likelier to have the condition [1].
Symptoms include pain in the jaw, ear and temple, a headache, having the feeling of a “locked” jaw, struggling to open the mouth fully, general stiffness, and hearing clicking noises when moving the jaw [2].
Due to TMJ disorders, sufferers can struggle to eat, sleep, talk, and work. Therefore, many struggle to hold down regular employment. Clearly, TMJ disorders impair life in many ways.
Furthermore, research shows that there is a strong connection between TMJ disorders and mental health conditions like Depression and Anxiety [3].
Treatment options are incredibly limited. While painkillers can provide temporary relief from pain, there are few long-term treatments.
Additionally, research has shown that patients with TMJ disorders are “often harmed” during “overly aggressive” treatment [4]. The lack of effective treatment options impacts treatment outcomes.
The TMJ Association
Terrie Cowley – who is a long-time sufferer of a TMJ disorder – leads the TMJ Association, which is an advocacy organization that aims to raise awareness of TMJ disorders.
Cowley has spoken with many patients – many of whom have spent a huge amount of money in trying to seek treatment. But as Cowley says, seeking treatment often “bankrupts them” [1].
However, Cowley says this “isn’t nearly as horrible as when the treatments go wrong” [1]. She has come across many people that have received poor treatment for TMJ disorders, which has made their situation worsen.
The story of Joanna Tallant
Joanna Tallant, a 51-year-old resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, has spoken to Cowley about the agony that she lives in due to the disorder [1].
Tallant has said that she has suffered with a TMJ Disorder for three decades. In this time, she has tried a vast range of treatments. For example, these include mouthguards, braces, dental crowns, drugs, physical therapy, massages, acupuncture, surgery, Botox and chiropractic care [1]. However, none of these have worked.
Tallant says that she can’t eat any food that requires to be chewed. Moreover, she estimates that she has spent at least $200,000 towards treating her TMJ disorder over her life [1].
Tallant’s story is very distressing. She has spent $60,000 in out-of-pocket spending in just the last decade alone. Furthermore, she has spent all of her savings, has had to borrow money, and has even sold a plot of land to help pay for care [1].
Tallant says that the disorder has “consumed so much of my life” [1]. She also needs another jaw surgery later this year, which is likely to cost around $75,000. Sadly, her insurance is unlikely to pay anything towards it.
TMJ Disorders and insurance
Unfortunately, stories like this are common among those that suffer with a TMJ disorder. But despite the horror stories, treatments for the condition are rarely covered by medical or dental insurance.
This results in patients having out-of-pocket expenses that range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars – depending on the severity of symptoms [1].
Unfortunately, many medical insurance companies treat TMJ disorders as too dental-based for them to be considered for medical insurance coverage. Equally, many dental insurance companies treat TMJ disorders as medical-based [1].
Therefore, this leaves patients in a state of limbo, where they are not covered by either medical or dental insurance. Consequently, costs can spiral out of control.
Even in cases where TMJ disorders are included in insurance packages, this usually only involves basic cover for limited treatments. Considering that many treatments seem to have limited effectiveness, this basic cover is largely unfit for purpose.
In an unfortunate state of affairs, this results in a situation where patients receive a treatment that is best reimbursed, rather than the best-suited treatment.
Wider impact
Many dentists and oral health professionals have limited knowledge of TMJ disorders. This results in many patients falling into a vicious cycle which involves poor care, poor treatment and ongoing oral pain.
To combat this, dental schools are beginning to offer specialist courses in orofacial pain [1]. This has the aim of increasing knowledge of TMJ disorders.
Unfortunately, for those who have been suffering, this is too little, too late. But it has also been pointed out that even when specialists do qualify, there are not many of them, and their services too are rarely covered by insurance companies.
Tony Schwartz, president of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, has said his organization are fighting for more acceptance from insurance companies. He believes TMJ disorders are misunderstood, and wrongly believed to be linked to misaligned teeth or a bad bite.
According to Schwartz, “this is the basis for why insurance companies have been so reluctant to pay for any treatment” [1]. Therefore, the issues persist.
What does the future hold?
The hope is that awareness of TMJ disorders will rise soon. This could help patients with TMJ disorders to receive improved care.
It is very positive that changes are being made so that students and future dentists will have the opportunity to specialize in the care of TMJ disorders.
In the future, this will hopefully result in improved treatments arising, which can lessen the pain and discomfort experienced by those with the condition.
Thinking points…
[1] As discussed above, TMJ disorders cause significant pain. But there are also many other causes of oral pain, including extensive tooth decay or gum disease. Therefore, it is important to remember to look after your mouth, as this can reduce the risk of problems developing. Remember to attend regular dental appointments, so that any problems can be identified. We recommend booking an appointment now!
[2] We mentioned earlier about the lack of awareness around TMJ disorders. Do you, or someone you know, have pain that may be a sign of a TMJ disorder? You could share this article with friends, family, or your social network, as someone may find this information to be incredibly useful. We would love you to share this article right away!
What we offer at Taradale Dental
Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.
We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!
References
[1] Kelman, B., & Werner, A. (2024). ‘A bottomless pit’: How out-of-pocket TMJ costs drive patients into debt. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-07-bottomless-pit-pocket-tmj-patients.html. Last accessed: 17th July 2024.
[2] NHS. (2023). Temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd/. Last accessed: 17th July 2024.
[3] Namvar, M. A., Afkari, B. F., Moslemkhani, C., Mansoori, K., & Dadashi, M. (2021). The Relationship between Depression and Anxiety with Temporomandibular Disorder Symptoms in Dental Students. Maedica: A Journal of Clinical Medicine. 16 (4): p590-594. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26574%2Fmaedica.2021.16.4.590.
[4] National Acadamies Press. (2020). Temporomandibular Disorders: Priorities for Research and Care. Available: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/25652/chapter/2. Last accessed: 17th July 2024.
