Understanding The Causes And Treatments For TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders
Posted on 7/24/2023 by SRD Tuscumbia
TMJ is a pivot-like joint that links the jawbone to the skull. The alignment of the mandible to the joints results in seamless functioning in terms of talking, swallowing, chewing, and yawning among others. Temporomandibular disorders are associated with pain and discomfort in the jaw joints and muscles in control of jaw movement.
Causes And Indicators
The most common cause of TMD is injury or trauma to the jaw joints and surrounding ligaments. This disturbance can be an outcome of too much grinding or clenching of the teeth - bruxism. Muscle injury to the head or neck can also cause trauma. Cases of jaw joint disk dislocation and arthritis account for some of the causes of TMD. Common indicators you need to look out for include pain in the face and around the ear, inability to open the mouth widely, teeth misalignment so that you are not able to chew properly, and clicking sound in the jaw joints.
TMD Intervention Options
TMJ disorders are mostly temporary. For most people, the pain and discomfort wane away with time, especially with home care practices. However, some cases are chronic and can only be treated surgically if all other interventions have failed. Conventional non-surgical treatments include: rubbing on heat or cold packs to the facial side in pain, taking non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed by our doctors, eating soft foods that do not apply a lot of pressure to the jaw, wearing a splint, or having corrective dental treatment.
Nerve stimulation during therapy is another viable option. The therapy uses electric fluxes (low level in nature) to relax the facial muscles and joints and thus reducing the pain. Surgical treatments differ with how severe the case of TMD is. We have arthrocentesis, open joint surgery, and arthroscopy. We have expert doctors in all matters of TMD. Go ahead and request an appointment with us today.
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TMJ is a pivot-like joint that links the jawbone to the skull. The alignment of the mandible to the joints results in seamless functioning in terms of talking, swallowing, chewing, and yawning among others. Temporomandibular disorders are associated with pain and discomfort in the jaw joints and muscles in control of jaw movement.