Pain in the jaw joints and difficulty opening and closing the mouth are among the most common signs of TMJ disorders. The TMJ comprises the bones and muscles that help move your mouth and control your jaws. If there is any abnormality in this area, it may cause pain during function.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a serious concern because several daily functions rely on a healthy TMJ – including eating, chewing, and speaking. So, if this part is affected, you may find it hard to go about your day.
To give you a thorough understanding, we have a short guide below on everything you need to know about TMJ, TMJ disorders, and the treatments that may help.
What is temporomandibular joint?
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is located on each side of the head adjacent to the ears. This area connects the lower jaw to the rest of the skull. It is where the bones and the muscles for jaw and mouth movement can be found.
The TMJ helps to close and open the mouth. It also allows for forward, backward, and side-to-side movement of the jaw. This is owed to the disc in between the bones of the jaws. The disc cushions the bones to allow for healthy and functional movements.
What causes TMD?
Temporomandibular disorder occurs when the disc between the jawbones thins out or is displaced. Without cushion and support, the bones will glide against each other to cause friction. This manifests as pain whenever the TMJ is in use.
Aside from this, unsynchronized and unaligned parts of the TMJ system causing disharmony during jaw movements and function may also cause TMD.
Some of the factors that may cause these concerns are:
- Arthritis
- Bruxism
- Injury
- Dislocation
- Malocclusion and jaw misalignment
- Stress
What are the signs and symptoms of TMD?
Some common signs and symptoms include:
- Jaw pain, discomfort, or tenderness
- Headaches
- Ringing of the ears (tinnitus)
- Clicking of the jaw
- Locking of the jaw
- Limited mouth movements
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Improper bite
Diagnosis of TMD is important to ensure the most efficient treatment plan can be made for you. During a consultation for TMD, our dentist will assess the signs and symptoms present, the history of the concern, and the severity of the case.
Treatment of TMD
The treatment for TMD is heavily dependent on the cause. Once your dentist can identify this, a more effective treatment can be carried out.
As much as possible, the initial approach should be simple and conservative. Gradually, this will transition to a more complex procedure until the problem resolves.
The main benefit of a slow, steady, and step-by-step approach when it comes to TMD treatments is that it prevents drastic changes that may further harm the health of the TMJ. It also provides a safer and more comfortable shift while you slowly recover to optimal health.
Some of the treatments that your dentist may recommend include:
Lifestyle change
Heavy strain on the jaws may be partly to blame for TMD. For this, consider eating softer foods to prevent unnecessary pressure on the jaws. Avoid bad habits that may also contribute to this, such as nail biting, frequent gum chewing, and using the teeth to open soft drink bottles.
Pain modification
Alleviating the symptoms of TMD is also part of the treatment course. Use heat packs to allow a continuous flow of blood on the vessels of the TMJ system. This will lessen the inflammation and provide urgent relief from jaw discomfort.
Medications
Aside from a hot pack, pain relief medications are also helpful for jaw joint pain caused by TMD. Other medications that your dentist or doctor may prescribe include anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate tenderness in the area, anti-anxiety to counter stress that may cause bruxism and TMD, and muscle relaxants to relieve muscle strain.
Jaw exercises
Planned jaw exercises also help to move the jaws until the muscle strain is released. This improves comfort around the TMJ area. It also helps to maintain the health of the jaw muscles, which is vital for long-term TMJ health.
Relaxation and meditation techniques
Stress is one of the leading causes of TMD because of possible teeth grinding or clenching that comes with it. With heavy teeth grinding, the jaws become more strained to affect the health of the TMJ. Targeting stress through meditation is one simple yet effective TMD treatment.
Mouthguard
A custom mouthguard is made from clear plastic material with a rubbery texture. This is fitted over the teeth to prevent wear and tear from bruxism or clenching. It also effectively controls this habit to reduce the symptoms of TMJ pain.
Orthodontic treatment
If the cause of TMD is improper bite or malocclusion, bite correction can be done to align the teeth. With better teeth alignment, the bite is restored to a healthier position. This helps to resolve the problem with the TMJ.
Splinting
Lastly, if there is a heavily disproportional bite, a TMJ splint made from thick acrylic material may be considered for treatment. This is customized and fitted over the upper and lower teeth. As the treatment progresses, your dentist will slowly adjust the splint to find the best position for the jaws. The result is a stable bite and healthy TMJ.
TMJ Treatment at Sierra Dental
The health of your TMJ is vital to daily living functions. With proper jaw movements, you can talk confidently during school and work presentations, eat your favourite foods, or speak comfortably to the people around you. So, when you encounter problems with your TMJ, contact our dentist immediately.
The earlier the treatment plan begins, the better the prognosis. And the quicker we can help you return to your normal routine and pain-free life. Book an appointment today to discover our comprehensive treatments for TMD!