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TMJ stands for Temporo mandibular Joint, which is the name for each
joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. TMJ (temporo
mandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to your
complex jaw joint.
Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions,
early detection and treatment are important. If your have had symptoms
like pain or a "clicking" sound, these problems are more easily
diagnosed and treated that they were in the past. These symptoms occur
when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles (muscles of
mastication) do not work together correctly. |
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| Reasons for TMJ
disorders |
| TMJ disorders
develop for many reasons |
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You might clench or grind your
teeth,
Tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint.
Damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. |
Injuries and arthritis
can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments.
As a result, the disk, which is made of cartilage and functions as the
"cushion" for the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Whatever the
cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking or
grating noise when you open your mouth or trouble opening your mouth
wide.
| Do you have a
TMJ disorder? |
| TMJ disorders
develop for many reasons |
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Are you aware of grinding or
clenching your teeth?
Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open
your mouth?
Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat or yawn?
Have you ever injured your neck, head or jaws?
Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn? |
The more times you answered "yes", the
more likely it is that your have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ
disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.
Treatment
There are various treatment options that we utilize to improve the
harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a
diagnosis of TMJ disorder, we determine the proper course of treatment.
It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team
approach of self-care joined with professional care.
| The initial goals are to relieve the muscle spasm and joint pain. This
is usually accomplished with a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory or
muscle relaxant. Self-care treatments can often be effective as well and
include: |
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Resting your jaw
Keeping your teeth apart when you are not swallowing or eating
Eating soft foods
Applying heat
Exercising your jaw
Practicing good posture |
Stress management techniques such as biofeedback or physical therapy may
also be recommended, as well as a temporary, clear plastic appliance
known as a splint. A splint or night guard fits over your top or bottom
teeth and helps keep your teeth apart, thereby relaxing the muscles and
reducing pain. There are different types of appliances used for
different purposes. A night guard helps you stop clenching or grinding
your teeth and reduces muscle tension at night and helps to protect the
cartilage and joint surfaces. Appliances also help to protect from tooth
wear.
What about bite correction?
If your TMJ disorder has caused problems with how your teeth fit
together, you may need treatment such as bite adjustment
(equilibration), orthodontics with or without jaw reconstruction, or
restorative dental work.
What about surgery?
Surgery is generally reserved for patients with severe locking symptoms
and/or pain not responding to conservative, medical treatments.
Procedures may range from arthrocentesis (rising joint) to open-joint
surgery. One of the most successful, yet conservative TMJ surgical
procedures is called Modified Condylotomy. It helps reduce pain and
locking symptoms by creating an increase in the space within the joint.
It does not involve an incision on the face, thus reducing scarring both
of the skin and inside the joint.
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