Jaw pain: First comes TMD, then fibromylagia?

Getting to the root of diagnosing orofacial pain, a condition affecting more than 15 million Americans, can be frustrating for patients and a daunting task for physicians and dentists. Symptoms caused by temporomandibular disorders (TMD), a variety of conditions affecting the jaw, joints and nerves, often mimic other conditions such as headache, migraine and sinus and tooth pain.

To further complicate diagnosis, new connections reveal TMD may be related to fibromylagia, a chronic musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder which causes pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, according to a report in a recent 2003 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.

Both TMD and fibromylagia produce similar painful symptoms in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, back, face and head. Dizziness and sleep disturbances can also be a symptom of both conditions.

"We've found many patients suffering with TMD problems also suffer later in life from fibromylagia," says Thomas P. Sollecito, DMD, lead author of the report. "Typically thought of as unrelated, this potential connection should be further explored."

The dentist may often hold the key to recovery for many head pain sufferers, and patients with facial pain should contact their dentist, explains Lois Duerst, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the AGD.

"Dentists are trained to evaluate various types of facial pain, and often can pinpoint the cause of the pain and make treatment recommendations," says Dr. Duerst.

TMD Checklist

An earache without an infection

Jaw pain or soreness that is more prevalent in the morning or late afternoon

Jaw pain when you chew, bite or yawn

Clicking associated with pain when opening and closing your mouth

Difficulty opening and closing your mouth

Locked or stiff jaw when you talk, yawn or eat

Sensitive teeth when no dental problems can be found

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