TMJ Treatment
Don’t worry, We’ll take care of it
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, are the joints located on each side of the head where the skull and lower jaw meet. It is the most constantly used joint in our body, allowing us to open and close our mouth, speak and chew.
Any problem that prevents TMJ to work properly may result in TMJ disorders. Oftentimes, TMJ disorders have long-term symptoms that can affect a patient’s quality of life.
Possible causes of TMJ disorders include arthritis, injuries, displacement of the disc located between the jawbone and the socket, stress and teeth grinding (bruxism).
Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
- Difficulty in opening and closing the mouth
- Pain in the jaw and cheekbones
- Pain when eating
- Earaches or ringing in the ears
- Frequent headaches
- Clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Discomfort in your neck and shoulders
- Problems when moving the jaw side to side or forward
- Pain when touching the TMJ area or jaw muscles
Treatments of TMJ Disorders
Diagnosing TMJ disorders can be complex and may require different procedures. Depending on the diagnosis, your dentist may recommend stress management, bite plate or splint therapy or short-term non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain and to relax the muscles.
If these are unsuccessful, your dentist may refer you to a dental specialist or an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon for other treatment options. A surgical approach may include arthroscopy, arthrocentesis or joint reconstruction.
