Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
What is temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?
The mandible, or lower jaw, is joined to the skull via the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). On each side of your head, the joint is situated in front of your ears. The muscles near them allow you to speak and eat by opening and closing your mouth.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD):
Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) impact the jaw joints as well as the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Trauma, an incorrect bite, arthritis, or general wear and tear are all potential causes. Jaw soreness, headaches, earaches, and facial pain are typical symptoms.
When the muscles and ligaments surrounding your jaw joints experience inflammation or irritation, TMJ dysfunction develops. The pain caused by the sickness could be mild or severe, acute or persistent. A high occurrence rate affects women more than men. These conditions can be treated, although there is a wide range of potential causes. Diagnosis may be challenging as a result.
TMJ dysfunction: what are the causes?
TMJ dysfunction may be caused by damage to the jaw joints or the tissues around them. Other TMD causes include:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching).
- Acute injury.
- Stress
- An inaccurate bite.
- Disc displacement at the ball-and-socket joint.
- TMJ arthritis can harm the joint’s cartilage.
What are the most common TMJ symptoms?
The severity and underlying cause of your disease will determine how your TMJ disorders manifest. The most typical sign of TMJ issues is a pain in the muscles around the jaw. Other symptoms that could manifest on both sides of the face or just one are:
- Facial or neck pain.
- Toothache.
- Dental problems, such as tooth wear or modifications to how your teeth fit together.
- Tightness in the jaw muscles & a restricted range of jaw movement.
- TMJ clicking or popping sound when opening or closing your mouth.
- A tired feeling on your face.
- Headaches & Vertigo.
The Diagnosis of TMD:
If you have symptoms, your dentist or doctor will examine your jaw to look for signs of inflammation or irritation, listen for clicking or grinding sounds, and assess how far your jaw can move in either direction. You might also need X-rays or another type of imaging scan to help your doctor see the joint.
What options are there for treating TMJ disorders?
Due to the wide range of potential causes for TMJ issues, there is also a wide range of treatment options available, from straightforward self-care techniques and conservative treatments to injections and open surgery. The majority of doctors concur that treatment should start conservatively and reserve surgery for the very last option.
Conservative treatment includes multiple ways:
- Home treatments: Self-care techniques carried out at home, like eating soft foods, can frequently relieve the indications and symptoms of TMJ problems. Limit jaw motions, stop chewing gum, and avoid rough meals. Perform jaw-stretching and relaxation exercises to enhance jaw movement. Ice therapy will lessen swelling.
- Medical treatments: Some drugs may offer additional relief if you find that using home remedies is not helping your TMJ: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and local anesthetics.
Injections & Surgical treatments:
- Chronic teeth grinding or painful trigger points can both be treated with Botox
- In very rare cases surgery is indicated. Procedures might involve:
- Corrective dental work to realign your teeth and enhance your bite.
- Arthrocentesis to remove fluid and debris from the joint.
- Joint replacement surgery.
Shortly:
The prognosis for TMJ issues is determined by the underlying etiology. Many patients with TMJ issues can be successfully treated at home using techniques like altering posture or decreasing stress.
Lifestyle modifications might not be sufficient for cases like arthritis. Over time, arthritis may cause joint degradation and worsen the pain. However, there are numerous medications available to aid relieve arthritis’s symptoms. Rarely are aggressive therapies necessary.
