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There is a lot of talk among patients that if they have jaw pain and an impacted wisdom tooth, that the wisdom tooth is what must be causing the problem. But it doesn’t really work like that. A disorder like TMD cannot start in such a straightforward manner.
Can an inflamed, infected, or impacted wisdom tooth cause Jaw Pain? Absolutely. It may even lead to symptoms like swelling, or pain while chewing, and difficulty opening the mouth, most of which are similar to that experienced in a TMJ disorder. This is typically why it can sometimes be confused for a TMJ disorder.
A secondary effect to it could be that when something hurts, we tend to avoid normal jaw movement or hold the jaw muscles differently to avoid pain temporarily. However, this protective muscle guarding can contribute to jaw muscle pain and stiffness.
However, having a wisdom tooth and having TMJ pain at the same time does not necessarily mean that one is causing the other.
TMJ disorders can independently cause symptoms such as:
Pain around the jaw joint or in front of the ear
Pain or fatigue in the jaw muscles
Difficulty or discomfort while opening the mouth
Clicking or other joint noises
Pain while chewing
So, if someone has jaw pain and a problematic wisdom tooth, it’s crucial to determine where this pain is actually coming from. It could be the tooth, the TMJ or jaw muscles which could be responsible. Sometimes, both issues can coexist.
This is also why wisdom tooth removal does not automatically resolve TMJ-related pain. In fact, in some cases it causes even more muscular and jaw imbalance, worsening TMJ disorder.
This is why the treatment plan should depend on the actual source of your symptoms rather than simply assuming that the wisdom tooth is to blame. The key is to not just find something abnormal on an X-ray or in the mouth, but also to determine whether it is actually responsible for the patient’s pain.
At Dr. Goyal’s TMJ care, the goal is never to confirm a TMJ Disorder diagnosis, but to find out the reasons for patient’s pain, discomfort and to improve their quality of life. Looking for TMJ Treatment in Mumbai or Vasai?
If you are experiencing jaw pain, jaw clicking, headaches, facial pain, ear pain, difficulty opening your mouth, or other symptoms that may be related to a TMJ disorder, an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards appropriate treatment. At Dr. Goyal’s TMJ & Dental Care, we specialise in the diagnosis and management of TMJ disorders, temporomandibular joint pain, and orofacial pain. Our approach focuses on understanding the underlying cause of your symptoms and providing personalised, non-surgical treatment wherever appropriate. If you are looking for a TMJ specialist in Vasai, Mumbai, you can book a consultation with Dr. Shikha Goyal for an evaluation of your condition.