TMJ and Facial Aesthetics: Understanding the Connection

Dental Care Burke • September 10, 2024

It's an unfortunate fact that around 10 million Americans suffer from one or more TMJ disorders, according to Dr. Jasjot Sahni.

The temporomandibular joint is vital for everything from chewing to facial expressions. When the TMJ becomes misaligned or dysfunctional, it can lead to a host of different problems.

One aspect often overlooked is the impact TMJ disorders can have on facial aesthetics. Keep reading to learn about TMJ face distortion and what solutions are available.

Taking Stock of TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders affect the temporomandibular joint. They can also affect the nearby facial muscles and connective tissues.

TMJ disorders can come about due to different factors. Examples include:

Jaw injury
Arthritis
Teeth grinding
Structural issues within the joint

The condition can result in pain and discomfort in the jaw, neck, and shoulders and even cause headaches.

TMJ dysfunction can also lead to more subtle yet impactful changes in facial appearance over time. Jaw misalignment, muscle strain, and other factors can all contribute to unwanted alterations in facial symmetry and aesthetics.

Highlighting TMJ Symptoms and Facial Appearance

Some common TMJ symptoms include the following:

Jaw pain and tenderness
Difficulty chewing or pain while eating
Limited range of jaw motion
Facial swelling or asymmetry
Headaches or earaches

Many people focus on the discomfort and pain caused by TMJ disorders, but more light should be shed on facial appearance. If you have TMJ-related problems, you may notice different changes.

Facial Asymmetry

Chronic TMJ issues often cause tension or imbalances in the facial muscles. Over time, this can cause one side of the face to appear drooped or distorted compared to the other. It's most evident in the lower half of the face, including the jawline and cheeks.

Sagging Facial Muscles

The facial muscles connected to the TMJ help maintain a youthful and balanced appearance. If the joint is dysfunctional, it can weaken or overwork certain muscles. From there, one can experience sagging in areas like the cheeks or around the mouth.

Hollow Cheeks or a Sunken Appearance

Tension in the TMJ and facial muscles can thin or tighten the masseter muscles, causing a hollow or sunken appearance.

Changes to the Jawline

Over time, TMJ disorders can affect the shape and contour of your jawline. As the muscles in the jaw work improperly or overcompensate for a dysfunctional TMJ, the jawline may look less defined or appear uneven.

These changes can make you look tired, stressed, or older than you are. Beyond the physical discomfort, TMJ issues can affect self-confidence due to these aesthetic concerns.

The Role of Facial Muscles in TMJ and Appearance

The health of the TMJ directly impacts the facial muscles. The masseter, temporalis, and other muscles work in harmony to allow you to chew, speak, and more.

Still, TMJ dysfunction can place excessive strain on these muscles, leading to muscle fatigue, tension, and even atrophy. It impacts your physical comfort and alters your appearance over time.

When the masseter muscles become overworked, they can appear enlarged, giving the face a boxier or bulkier look. The face may appear sunken or gaunt if these muscles weaken or atrophy due to lack of proper use.

As a result, the general facial structure becomes imbalanced. This is why the connection between TMJ and facial aesthetics runs so deep.

Considering TMJ Treatment Options and Jaw Pain Relief

If you are dealing with TMJ-related facial distortions or pain, there are several TMJ treatment options available to improve both functionality and appearance. Addressing TMJ issues can provide jaw pain relief while helping to restore facial harmony.

Are you curious about non-surgical treatments?

Jaw Exercises and Physical Therapy

Strengthening and stretching the muscles around the TMJ can help relieve tension and improve mobility. Medical personnel who specialize in TMJ disorders can show you helpful exercises to reduce pain and restore facial-muscle balance.

Oral Appliances

Custom-made splints or mouthguards can help reposition the jaw and alleviate pressure on the TMJ. These devices, often worn at night, can prevent teeth grinding and reduce the strain placed on the jaw muscles during sleep.

Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants can reduce inflammation and alleviate jaw pain. In some cases, corticosteroid injections may be used to relieve severe joint inflammation.

Botox Injections

Botox can be used to relax overactive facial muscles, particularly the masseter muscles, which may become enlarged in people with TMJ dysfunction. By reducing muscle activity, Botox can relieve jaw pain and help slim the lower face. From there, you can enjoy a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

For severe cases of TMJ dysfunction, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct the underlying issues within the joint.

Arthrocentesis

This minimally invasive procedure involves flushing out the TMJ to remove debris and reduce inflammation. It can help improve jaw mobility and reduce pain.

TMJ Arthroscopy

In this procedure, a medical professional will put a small camera in the joint to take a closer look at the TMJ. You can rely on them to perform necessary repairs, such as removing scar tissue or repositioning the joint structures.

Open-Joint Surgery

For more severe cases, open-joint surgery may be needed to repair or replace the joint. Doctors often suggest this only when other treatments have failed to provide relief.

Restoring Facial Aesthetics Through TMJ Treatment

By solving the root cause of TMJ disorders, you can not only achieve jaw pain relief but also improve the appearance of your face. Restoring balance to the TMJ and facial muscles can reverse the aesthetic issues caused by dysfunction. Doing this can help you regain facial symmetry, a more defined jawline, and more.

It's Possible to Solve TMJ Face Distortion

Now that you know the connection, you can speak with your doctor about addressing TMJ face distortion.

Dental Care Burke offers TMJ and TMD dentistry solutions. Our team has earned plenty of certifications and qualifications, including DMD, FAGD, and LVIF.

Everything starts with a detailed and tailored consultation, so schedule one with the Dental Care Burke Team today.

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Dr. Bernard Lynch

D.M.D

Dr. Bernard Lynch, DMD, FAGD, LVIF is focused around giving his patients the best possible dental care towards the end of long-term, overall good oral health, beautiful smiles, all while maintaining patient comfort. Dr. Lynch routinely keeps up-to-date with most cutting-edge dental technology and advances so as to cultivate a feeling of safety and comfort when his patients sit in the dental chair. He is broadly recognized for the continuous attention to his patients feelings, and of their mind-sets while they are under his care.

Joshua Kibrom

Treatment Plan Coordinator

Joshua Kibrom grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he attended the University of Minnesota for Marketing and Business Management. Upon moving to Northern Virginia, he began providing services at Dental Care Burke as a Treatment Plan Coordinator. To fully understand the needs of the patients, he obtained certification as a dental assistant. His main objective is to help the patients achieve the necessary treatment and fully understand the financial aspects of the plan. Joshua will work with patients to ensure all of your questions are answered appropriately.

Michael Gebre

Registered Dental Assistant

Micheal Gebre graduated from Northern Virginia Community College with a major in biology. He later received his Dental Assistant II (DAII) degree from Germana Community College, under Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2016. Michael works as Registered DAII, which is the new version of Dental Physician Assistant. He had over 10 years experience as a Dental Assistant before becoming a Registered DAII.