TMJ

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders are common. Individuals with a TMJ disorder may experience a variety of symptoms, such as earaches, headaches and limited ability to open their mouth.

One of the most common complaints about the TMJ is popping and clicking within the jaw joint. This is caused by the disk (meniscus) in the middle of the joint being positioned in front of the top part of the lower jaw (the condyle). The popping or clicking occurs when the disk is positioned in front of the condyle and on opening the mouth, the condyle slides on to the disk resulting in the noise.

When symptoms of TMJ trouble appear, consult an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS). A specialist in the areas of the mouth, teeth and jaws, your OMS is in a good position to correctly diagnose the problem. Diagnosing TMJ disorders can be complex and may require different diagnostic procedures. Special imaging studies of the joints may be ordered and appropriate referral to other dental or medical specialists or a physical therapist may be made.

How to deal with TMJ

Relaxation and Stress management

Learning how to relax and minimize stress helps to reduce clenching or grinding of the teeth. Relaxation techniques include alteration of breathing patterns and learning to breathe “correctly”. This can extend to identifying sources of stress and making necessary lifestyle changes. This may include counselling.

Surgery

Only on rare occasions is open joint surgery necessary where the cartilage is usually removed and replaced. Serious side-effects after TMJ surgery are uncommon. While we make every attempt to minimise risks, complications can occur.

Acupuncture

The primary reason acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine is chosen as an approach to healing is because it seeks to resolve the origin of a condition which ultimately results in eliminating the pain and discomfort of the symptoms. So in using acupuncture we are treating the root cause – stress, muscle tension, system imbalances, as well as the pain in the jaw area, all in one treatment. The benefit for the patient is the convenience and potential for resolving a number of related issues within the treatment session.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. It permits the lower jaw to move and function.

The Risk of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Surgery

Despite the deficiencies of retrospective studies and case reports, they do provide evidence that surgery can be helpful for some patients suffering from painful disorders of the TMJ that do not respond favorably to nonsurgical management. Past experience, however, has shown that reliance solely on such data can lead to serious consequences. Until objective prospective data become available, therefore, clinicians need to adopt a conservative approach in their selection of patients for temporomandibular joint surgery and patients have to be wary about subjecting themselves to such procedures.

Natural Treatment for TMJ

Top experts, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NIDCR, recommend conservative, reversible treatments as the best route of action. Our doctors agree and recommend choosing non-invasive treatments first, rather than aggressive treatments, like surgery and implants, which penetrate the tissues of the face, jaw or joint.

Temporomandibular disorder is a condition characterized by some pain in the jaw area. Temporomandibular itself is joint that connects your skull’s temporal bones with your jaw. When the disorder comes, you may feel pain when trying to open or close your mouth. You may also feel pain when talking or chewing foods. In many cases, you can alleviate the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorder by having some home remedies and non-surgical treatments. However, surgery may also be taken when the pain persists and gets severe.

To get to know what temporomandibular disorders are like, you have to be well-informed about the symptoms, which include jaw pain and tenderness, discomfort and difficulty while chewing, pain in your facial area, pain in the ear area, and locking of the jaw joint. Normally, these symptoms may go away in couple days. However, if the pain and tenderness persists, you may need to visit a doctor or a dentist to know what kinds of treatments you must take.

The pain in your temporomanidbular joint can occur when the disk erodes or moves, the arthritis damages the cartilage of the joint, or when a blow damages the joint. One of the most frequent causes of TMJ disorder is teeth grinding (bruxism) during sleep. However, bruxism is not the only cause, and bruxism can also cause other kinds of condition beside joint pain. However, it is true that bruxism can be the cause of your TMJ pain as the grinding teeth can cause pressure on your jaw joint.

As part of the treatments for the TMJ, you can also try teeth grinding mouth guard or oral splints. In this case, you will need to wear a device inserted over your teeth, which can be either soft or firm. The mouth guard is believed to physically correct the bite. It is best option if you have TMJ disorder that is persistent and extreme. By having the mouth guard, the misalignment in your teeth or jaw can be corrected, guaranteeing that you get long-term relief.