Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions are conditions affecting the jaw joints, the surrounding muscles around it, the facial nerves and the connective tissues. These conditions are developed for many reasons. Some of the most common causes of TMJ disorders are:
Clenching
Grinding
Tightening jaw muscles
Stress or poor posture
Injury
Arthritis
Any of the causes listed above 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” of the jaw joint, can slip out of position.
Whatever the cause, the result will cause many symptoms. We are happy to provide TMD treatment at ConfiDent Palm Dentist.
The Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research classifies TMD by the following:
Myofascial pain. This is the most common form of TMD. It results in discomfort or pain in the fascia (connective tissue covering the muscles) and muscles that control jaw, neck and shoulder function.
Internal derangement of the joint. This means a dislocated jaw or displaced disk, (cushion of cartilage between the head of the jaw bone and the skull), or injury to the condyle (the rounded end of the jaw bone that articulates with the temporal skull bone).
Degenerative joint disease. This includes osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint.
The following questions are a good resource to help you determine whether or not you should seek professional help from a TMJ Specialist :
Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws & ears?
Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
Does your jaw click, pop or lock when you open your mouth?
Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth wide, eat, or yawn?
Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to see a dentist specializing in this filed to get a diagnosis and relevant treatment. You may request an appointment with Dr. Stanislav Martynovych at ConfiDent Palm Dentist in Golden Mile 8, Dubai Palm Jumeirah.
What are the symptoms of TMJ disorders? The symptoms of TMJ disorders depend on the severity and cause of your condition. The most common symptom of TMJ disorders is pain in the jaw and surrounding muscles. According to 2021 research Trusted Source, other symptoms typically associated with these disorders include:
pain that can be felt in the face or neck
stiffness in the muscles of the jaw
limited movement of the jaw
locking of the jaw
clicking or popping sound from the TMJ site
dental issues, such as the wearing down of teeth
tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
vertigo
headaches
shift in the jaw, changing the way that the upper and lower teeth align (called malocclusion)
Professional Treatment of TMJ disorders
The first step in treatment is always a detailed examination and bite anylisis to confirm a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, and then proceed with the proper non-surgical type of treatment.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 followed by:
Stress management techniques.
Physical therapy.
Individual Splints – temporary appliance for your teeth or night guard (reduces muscle tension at night and protects the cartilage & joints / aids in disk repositioning or moves your jaw into proper position if needed). The splints are fabricated in the laboratory based on individual teeth and bite digital scans. ConfiDent Palm Dentist provides such service within 24h after seeing the patient for an exam.
Medication
Self-care recommendations In a lot of cases, the symptoms of TMJ disorders can be improved with self-care practices at home. To ease the symptoms of TMJ at home, you can :
Eat soft foods.
Reduce jaw movements and try to rest your jaw.
Avoid chewing gum and tough foods (like beef jerky or sticky food).
Take measures to reduce stress.
TMJ dysfunction affects everyone differently. It can result in temporary discomfort or chronic jaw pain that lasts for months or even years. While the condition can be difficult to diagnose, there are treatments that can help. If you have jaw pain, headaches or other symptoms that keep you from enjoying life, request an assessment with ConfiDent Palm Dentist. We can find the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.