TMJ & Wisdom Teeth

hello doctor

yesterday i went for a dental checkup and got a x-ray from my jaw and i realized that i have TMJ. its not that bad. Its on my right side and i dont experience any pain or discomfort. Its just sometimes when i yawn or eat a sandwich i hear this poppin sound and i feel like my jaw gets locked but its only like for a second or so. So the doctor told me i shouldn't be worried because some people have much more serious problems like headaches and etc. The problem is i have to take out my wisdom teeth and the doctor told me that my TMJ symptoms might get worse because i have to open my mouth to the max and it might cause problems with my TMJ. I wanted to know how true that is and if there is any other options for me?

[Ramin Mehregan, DMD]

Dear Patient
Yes, if you do have TMJ dysfunction extraction of the wisdom teeth could exacerbate the problem. Let the oral surgeon know, sometimes they will use a prop which will allow you to bite on it and at the same time not have you stretch to far open.
Secondly the x-ray you had done probably was a Panorex x-ray which I would not consider as a proper x-ray for diagnosing TMJ dysfunction. In order for a proper diagnosis of your TMJ condition I would recommend seeing a TMJ expert.

[John23a]

thank u doctor..i will do that for sure..I seem to be okay with my TMJ. Its not causing problems for now like no pain or anything so i dont want to make it worse because of my wisdom teeth extraction.
Your right my dentist took a Panorex x-ray. Whats the difference between Panorex and other x-rays that a TMJ specialist does?

[Ramin Mehregan, DMD]

Panorex films have a lot of distortions and superimposition of other areas. Since it goes around your head it basically captures everything in line of that x-ray beam. TMJ x-rays are site specific to that area. There is again difference in TMJ x-rays. The best for TMJ diagnosis are called ICAT.