NTED - TMJ/TMD Abnormalties

Definition of TMJ - (Temporomandibular Joint) - an area of the cranium where the jaw or mandible contacts and articulates with the timporal bone.  The temporal bone is the area of the skull where the ears are located and it articulates with the hyoid bone.  It is made up of muscles, ligaments and tendons that aurround the synovial joints formed between the condyles of the mandible and the temporal bone.

Definition of TMD - (Temporomandibular Dysfunction) - a diagnostic word used in the field of dentistry for people who experience tightness, popping, pain, headaches, bite misalignment, grinding of teeth and or clicking in the TMJ area.  This is caused by the tearing or wearing away of the articular disc that allows  the mandible to move.

Some signs of horses suffering from a dysfunction of the TMJ are listed below.

1. Poor performance levels
2. Improper gaits
3. Uneven wear of the teeth
4. Signs of a headache such as the horse standing in a dark area away from sunlight, head rubbing
5. Head shaking
6. Cribbing
7. Ear sensitivity
8. Head shyness
9. Sensitivity to any touch around the TMJ or poll area
10. Clicking or popping when horse is grinding it's feed
11. Horse's tongue constantly resting between the incisors
12. Leaning on the bit
13. Dental abnormalities
14. Misalignment of the upper and lower incisors
15. Swelling at the TMJ site

The TMJ mechanism plays a vital role in the whole function of the horse.  Any tightening or shortening of the muscles of the TMJ mechanism from injury or dental abnormalities, can adversely affect a horse's balance, equilibrium, leads, gaits and other body areas specifically, the pelvic region.

TMD can be caused from a lack of proper or inadequate dental work, an injury to the TMJ mechanism such as a horse getting it's head stuck between fence post, flipping over and hitting it's head, setting back, etc.,  improper use of bits in the mouth, lack of pasture grazing, eating from hayracks or high feed buckets, wearing of certain types of bits or nosebands that tie a horse's head down to tight putting pressure on the TMJ.

If TMD has existed for a long period of time, it is possible that it may have affected the entire body of the horse causing the horse to compensate in it's work by not being able to balance itself due to pain from the TMJ thus inhibiting it's performance and athletic abilities.

Because there is not cure for TMD, proper and adequate dental work along with craniosacral work is essential in keeping horses diagnosed with TMD comfortable.