Treatment of TMJ Disorders

Treatment-of-TMJ-Disorders

Everyone has two temporomandibular joints on each side of the face to connect the skull and jawbone. Often referred to as TMJ, these joints act as sliding hinges whenever the mouth is opened or closed. When the TMJ function as they should, people rarely give them a second thought, but when they cause chronic pain, it’s called “TMJ disorder” or TMD.

TMJ disorder is often difficult to diagnose because it may manifest as symptoms like headaches and earaches. It’s also difficult to treat because TMD can have a number of causes that require different forms of treatment. It’s critical that you see a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorder in order to find lasting relief.

Types of TMJ Pain

TMJ pain usually falls into one of the following categories:

Myofascial pain – This term describes pain in the muscles that control the TMJ, rather than pain originating in the joints themselves. Stress, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching are common causes of myofascial pain.

Internal derangement of the joint – This type of pain is typically the result of an injury that causes a displaced disc, dislocated jaw, or injury to the condyle.

Arthritis – The temporomandibular joints can be attacked by arthritis, just like the knees and other joints. Treatment for this type of pain may be provided in conjunction with a rheumatologist.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

The most common symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

Headaches
Facial tenderness, particularly around the cheeks and jaw
Pain or feelings of fullness in or around the ears
Tightness in the jaw
Popping and clicking sounds when eating or opening the mouth
Locking of the jaw
Difficulty chewing