{"id":825,"date":"2016-10-20T08:06:31","date_gmt":"2016-10-20T13:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pineypointoms.com\/blog\/?p=825"},"modified":"2026-04-15T16:56:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T21:56:18","slug":"for-a-clicking-popping-jaw-stem-cell-manipulation-offers-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pineypointoms.com\/blog\/for-a-clicking-popping-jaw-stem-cell-manipulation-offers-hope\/","title":{"rendered":"For A Clicking, Popping Jaw, Stem Cell Manipulation Offers Hope"},"content":{"rendered":"\"tmj<\/a>Do you suffer from a clicking or popping jaw? You are not alone. 10 million Americans (mostly women) are dealing with the pain of a dysfunctioning temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Current treatment for a TMJ deals with the symptoms without actually fixing the damaged tissue. But new research out of Columbia University Medical Center (published in the journal Nature Communications)<\/em>\u00a0suggests there is a better answer — and it lies in the stem cells already present in your jaw.<\/span>\n\n\n\nTMJ dysfunction occurs after damage to the cartilage within the jaw. Following injury or disease, the cartilage does not regrow — but the new study of mice showed that by manipulating the stem cells in the damaged jaw, cartilage and bone could be spontaneously generated to repair the TMJ. <\/span>\n\nThat\u2019s big news for people suffering from chronic jaw pain.<\/span>\n\nAs anyone with TMJ knows, a dysfunctioning jaw can cause severe discomfort upon opening and closing the mouth. It may cause difficulty eating and speaking, too. Previous treatment tries to realign the jaw, take pressure off the joint, or merely soothe its ache. So far, nothing has been able to solve the actual problem of damaged tissue. <\/span>\n\nIt\u2019s important to note that the study deals with stem cell manipulation rather than transplant. Entering new stem cells into an area — transplantation — can present risk for infection or even encourage the growth of tumors. Manipulation offers a safe, effective alternative for cartilage regrowth. <\/span>Read more<\/span> about the new study to learn about stem cell science. <\/span>\n

Watch Out for a Dysfunctioning TMJ<\/span><\/h2>\nWhile the discomfort is difficult to ignore, you may be dealing with TMJ pain without realizing what\u2019s at the root of the issue. Learn how to recognize a problem in your jaw to find some relief. <\/span>\n\nThe symptoms of TMJ dysfunction (also called TMD) include\u2026<\/span>\n