Locking, clicking of jaw are signs of a serious disorder

Does your jaw lock or click? An expert said this is a sign of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder.

According to Corinne Catibayan on “Dapat Alam Mo,” the TMJ Disorder affects the movement of the jaw. It results from damage on temporomandibular joints that connect the jaw to the skull’s temporal bone. 

“Ito ay nakukuha natin sa maling kagat dahil sa pagkabunot ng ngipin,” said Dr. Jeffrey Sumague, a TMJ specialist practicing orthodontics.

“Simula niyan yung pagkakaroon ng retrusion of the mandible o pag-atras, clicking o locking of the jaw, impeachment of the blood vessels and nerve. Meron nang headache, neck pain — domino effect na.”

Dianne Funelas has been suffering from this condition for four years. She also experiences hearing high tones and popping sounds whenever she opens her mouth.

“Talagang hindi na ako makakain. Takot na ako eh. Talagang parang puputok na yung ugat ko. Sobrang sakit ng ulo ko. Ang sakit ng tenga ko,” she said. “[Stressed] na [stressed] na ako.”

“Feeling ko po parang puputok yung ugat ko. Hanggang tenga ko ang sakit-sakit na parang hinihiwa na parang dinudurog,” she added.

Funelas’ jaw locked for the first time in 2018. She has since been putting it back in place with the use of her own hands but it would still keep on locking.

She sought professional help in the same year but stopped due to lack of financial means. She works as a cashier in a gas station. Hers and her husband’s income is just enough for food.

“Sabi sa akin kailangang bunutin yung [ngipin] ko eh ang singil sa’kin ay P18,000. Wala naman akong pera eh. Hininto ko yung check up ko,” she said.

Funelas recently visited a neurologist and was given medicine for pain and to calm the nerves. She still needs further treatment to treat her condition as it also already affected her bite.

Sumague said treatment would cost over P100,000.

“From P30,000 to P50,000 yung first phase. Depende ‘yon sa sintomas. Six months na gamutan. Our goal is to eliminate or to lessen the signs and symptoms or to establish yung nawalang kagat.”

“Yung second phase naman natin, nagre-range na P65,000 pataas ang braces ngayon,” he added. “Depende na po kung ilan yung kailangan lagyan na bagang or artificial teeth.”

Donors may send their donations to Dianne Funelas. She may be contacted through 0963 720 1203. — Franchesca Viernes/LA, GMA News