TMJ Treatment: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
The temporomandibular joint is a bone that acts as a sliding hinge that connects the jawbone to your skull. TMJ is located on each side of your ear, at the front, and its lets you move your jaw freely. This movement makes it possible for you to chew, yawn and talk. However, you may experience problems with your jaw and muscles in your face that control this joint and these issues lead to temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
TMD has been the subject of research, but many dentists agree that it is caused by problems with the muscles in your jaw and the portions of the joint itself. Pain caused by TMD might result from genetics, jaw injury or arthritis; although many people routinely grind their teeth and never develop TMJ problems, some persons with jaw discomfort also tend to clench or grind their teeth (bruxism). Forrest Tower DDS looks at the causes of temporomandibular joint problems, symptoms of the disorder and how to treat it.
Causes of TMD
There has been a lot of research about what causes TMJ problems, but it has been difficult to determine the main cause of this disorder. According to dentists, symptoms are thought to be caused by abnormalities with the jaw muscles or sections of the joint itself.
The hinge and sliding movements of the temporomandibular joint are combined in the temporomandibular joint. Therefore, when you are involved in an accident that injures your jaw, the cartilage that connects the jaw to the bone may move from its proper alignment, causing TMJ problems. This causes a lot of pain in your jaw area, and when this happens, it is advisable to look for TMJ specialist near me to get your jaw aligned.
Arthritis can also cause TMJ problems. The breakdown of the hard and soft tissues around the jaw joints is a symptom of jaw osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis may alter the jaw’s form and function. In addition, one or both sides of the jaw are damaged. Three types of arthritis can affect your jaw. First, there is osteoarthritis, a common form of degenerative arthritis that can also affect any joint in your body. There is also rheumatoid arthritis and, lastly, psoriatic arthritis.
Grinding or clenching your teeth exerts a lot of strain on your joints leading to TMD. When you have stress and put a lot of pressure as you tighten your facial and jaw muscles on the TMJ for a long period, this puts you at risk of having TMJ disorder.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Chewing, talking and opening your mouth are all normal actions of the body. Still, when these actions are accompanied by pain or soreness in your face, jaw joint area, neck, shoulder and in or around the ear, these are indicators that you might be suffering from TMJ disorder. Therefore, you should look for a dentist near you who can look at your teeth and jaw and determine the cause of your discomfort.
Inflammation in or around your jaw is also a symptom of a TMJ problem. You can also experience swelling on the side of your face, which can indicate arthritis infection on your TMJ.
Locking the joints, which can create a clicking or grating sound when you open or close your mouth or when chewing is also a symptom of TMD. This can be painful or not, but it is recommended to look for TMJ treatment in Oak Lawn as this may help prevent further jaw deterioration and manage pain.
Treatment of TMJ disorder
There are home remedies that can help alleviate TMD symptoms. First, avoiding extreme jaw movements and eating soft foods will ensure less pressure on your teeth and jaw.
It is also recommended to look for a dentist in Oak Lawn, IL who can offer you physical therapy, which can help maintain jaw function.
A mouthguard can also be used over your upper and lower teeth to prevent them from touching.
To balance the biting surfaces of your teeth or address a bite problem, your dentist can replace missing teeth and use dental crowns, bridges, or braces.
When surgery on the temporomandibular joint is required, oral and maxillofacial surgeons with considerable competence in the whole spectrum of TMJ surgical techniques, from arthroscopic surgery to open-joint surgery, can assist in the treatment of TMJ problem.