Did you know? Around 12% of individuals are affected due to TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome) issues throughout the United States at any given moment. Women are affected more frequently than males, with 9 women having severe discomfort and limited jaw mobility for every 1 man. TMJ issues impact the jaw joint as well as the muscles that regulate it. Because of the complexity of this joint, they can be difficult to identify and treat. In this blog, we will discuss what TMJ is, its symptoms, causes, risk factors and TMJ disorder treatment.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the link between your jaw and your skull. The joint is located ahead of your ears from both sides of your head. It helps you to speak and eat by allowing your jaw to expand and close. The acronym "TMJ" has been employed to refer to a collection of jaw-related health issues. However, this is increasingly being shortened as "TMD" or "TMJ" to differentiate the temporomandibular joint from TMJ disorders. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull like something of a sliding swing. Each part of your jaw has one joint. TMJ problems, which are a kind of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), can lead to discomfort in the jaw joint as well as the muscles that govern jaw movements.
Causes of Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome:
It is frequently difficult to pinpoint the specific origin of a person's TMJ condition, since there are many possible causes of TMJ. Some of the causes includes;
- Dental procedures like faulty crowns and fillings
- Arthritis
- Infections
- Autoimmune diseases
- Grinding or clenching (Bruxism)
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Acute trauma
- Dislocation of the disc between the socket joint and the ball
- Improper bite
Other causes might be hereditary, hormonal, or environmental. Violinists, for example, have been found to have a greater prevalence of TMJ issues than the general population, owing to their employment requiring them to maintain an instrument under their jaw. This can result in TMJ issues due to strain. Because women have TMJ issues at a higher incidence than males, researchers are actively investigating hormonal origins of TMJ. While the reason is unknown, experts think that studying the relationship between the female hormone estrogen and TMJ issues would be beneficial.
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome:
TMJ dysfunction syndrome seems to be more frequent in those aged 20 to 40, and it affects women more than males. The following are among the most prevalent TMJ Syndrome Symptoms:
- Headache
- Difficulty in chewing
- Pain in the shoulders & neck
- Ear pain
- Jaw pain
- Always feels like tired
- Tooth pain/ sensitivity of teeth
- Swelling only on one side of the face
- Tinnitus
- Clicking or grating sounds in the jaw
- Neck pain and shoulder pain
- Dizziness
- Hearing problems
Diagnosis and Treatment of TMJ:
TMJ issues are notoriously difficult to diagnose. Most of the illnesses that come under that umbrella have no established tests for diagnosis. To examine your condition, your doctor may recommend you to a dentist or ENT expert. A doctor may check you to discover whether there is any swelling or soreness. They may also employ a variety of imaging tests.
Some of the diagnosis option includes:
CT Scans:
A CT scan of the jaw provides your doctor with a more comprehensive view of the bones and joint tissues than a standard X-ray.
MRI:
An MRI of the jaw will tell if there are any structural issues with the jaw. An MRI scan, also known as magnetic resonance imaging, employs a magnetic field to produce detailed pictures of organs and tissues.
X-rays:
X-rays of the jaw and teeth often require you to bite down on a tiny mouthpiece while the dentist swings a scanning device throughout your head. These X-rays will enable your dentist to examine the joints within and around your jaw, along with the positioning of your teeth.
Joint vibration analysis:
it helps to evaluate the functional status of soft and hard tissue structures of TMJ. It is helpful in pre and post orthodontic evaluation of TMJ and to adjust splints. It is non-invasive, fast and reliable test.
T-SCAN:
It is a dental device used to analyze relative occlusal force by a pressure mapping sensor. It helps clinicians to predictably identify and locate traumatic occlusal contacts.
Treatment Options for TMJ Disorder:
1.Home Treatment Options for TMD:
You can assist in reducing TMJ symptoms by doing activities on your own. Your doctor may advise you to combine some of these therapies.
- Use alternate moist warm and cool packs
- Always try eating soft foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurt and etc.,
- Avoid extreme jaw movements like chewing and yawning
- Learn some relaxing exercises that will assist you relax the jaw.
2.Traditional Treatments:
- Use only the prescribed painkillers to help you relieve swelling and muscle pain or even use anti-anxiety medicines to relieve stress.
- Wear night guards. These plastic mouthpieces go over the both upper and lower teeth, preventing them from touching. They reduce the symptoms of clenching or grinding and straighten your bite by repositioning your teeth.
- To equalize the biting surface of the teeth, your dentist can recommend crowns, bridges, or braces.
3.Other Treatments:
- Radio frequency treatment: Radio waves stimulate the joint, increasing blood flow and relieving discomfort.
- Laser treatment: This reduces discomfort and inflammation while also allowing you to move your neck more freely and open your mouth wider.
- Injections: Pain medication or anesthetic is injected into painful face muscles known as "trigger points" to provide comfort.
- TMD surgical procedure: Surgeries are only considered a last resort if all other therapies have failed. And, depending on the severity of the disease, there are three sorts of surgeries that can be performed.
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome is not always a serious condition. Only in a few cases, this condition will be severe and can be long-lasting. Whether the condition is mild or severe if you are dealing with any of the symptoms mentioned, do consult the best TMJ specialist. At Vistadent, we do have the best TMJ specialist in Hyderabad, who will give you extreme care and can provide you with the best possible treatment. To know more about us, do visit our website or just click here for a quick appointment.