TMJ Disorders
What are TMJ (Temporo-mandibular joint) disorder symptoms?
Like many patients, you may be suffering from chronic discomfort because you do not recognize the symptoms of TMJ disorders. Common signs can include:
- Jaw and facial pain
- A clicking noise when you open or close your jaw
- A grating sensation with jaw movement
- Jaw stiffness
- Ear pain
- Ringing in your ears
- Chronic headaches
- Pain in your neck or shoulders
What causes TMJ disorders?
TMJ disorders, also known as TMD, are relatively common conditions that cause damage or inflammation in your jaw joints. In some cases, the soft discs inside your joints can slip forward, resulting in pain and noise every time you open or close your jaw. In other instances, the muscles and ligaments around your joints may simply become inflamed. Often, TMJ disorders are the result of bruxism, or chronic clenching and grinding of your teeth. These unconscious, habitual actions can put significant strain on your jaw. In some cases, patients can develop bruxism because of the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorders.
What are the treatment options for TMJ disorders?
Treatment for your TMD will be completely tailored to your particular needs. Night guards are one of the most common options. The custom-fit device will go over your teeth to retrain your facial muscles and prevent jaw clenching. Your dentist may also recommend lifestyle changes, often in conjunction with a night guard. For example, you may want to eat a soft diet for a few weeks, giving your jaw a chance to rest and heal. It may also help to avoid chewing gum and improve your posture. Once pain starts to subside, you can begin to reintroduce other foods. In addition, various restorative procedures on teeth will also improve distribution of forces and improve the TMJ balance.
The major goal of Full Mouth Rehabilitation is to restore bite and ensure TMJ functions in harmony. These are important aspects and in such cases it is mandatory to have proper Diagnosis and Treatment planning with the long-term results in mind.