“Take a healthy bite, make a healthy life”
What is TMJ disorder?
Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) is a pain within the jaw joint that is caused by the spread of health problems. The TMJ connects the mandible to the bone ahead of the ear.
Signs and symptoms:
- Pain or tenderness of your jaw
- Disorder in one of the individual temporomandibular joints
- Aching pain in and around your ear
- Difficulty change of state or pain whereas a change of state
- Locking of the joint, causing trouble opening or closing the mouth
Causes:
- embody injury to the teeth or jaw,
- Arrangement of the teeth or jaw,
- Teeth grinding or clenching,
- Poor posture, stress, arthritis, and gum change of state.
Risk factors:
Factors that will increase the chance of developing TMJ disorders include:
- Various forms of inflammatory disease, like arthritis and degenerative joint disease and Jaw injury
- Long-term (chronic) grinding or clenching of teeth
Diagnosis:
Many alternative conditions cause similar symptoms — like caries, sinus issues, arthritis, or gum illness. To work out what’s inflicting yours, the dental practitioner can arise regarding your health history and conduct a physical examination.
The Dental practitioner will discuss your symptoms and examine your jaw.
| Read also: How to Spot TMJ Disorders Before It’s too Late |
He or she probably goes too far:
- Listen to and feel your jaw once you open and shut your mouth
- Observe the vary of motion in your jaw
- Press on areas around your jaw to spot sites of pain or discomfort
Kanata dental practitioner suspects a haul, you’ll need:
- Dental X-rays to examine your teeth and your jaw
- CT scan to produce elaborate pictures of the bones concerned within the joint
- MRI to reveal issues with the joint’s disk or encompassing soft tissue
TMJ surgical operation is usually employed in the diagnosing of a TMJ disorder.
Throughout TMJ surgical operation, your doctor inserts a tiny low skinny tube into the joint house, and arthroscopic is then inserted to look at the world and to assist verify a diagnosing.
Treatment
Medications
Along with alternative nonsurgical treatments, these medication choices might facilitate relieve the pain related to TMJ disorders:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory: If over-the-counter pain medications are not enough to alleviate TMJ pain, your doctor or medical man might inflict stronger pain relievers for a restricted time, like prescription-strength ibuprofen.
- Tricyclic antidepressants: These medications, like amitriptyline, area unit used principally for depression, however in low doses, they are generally used for pain relief, action management, and temporary state.
- Muscle relaxants: These kinds of medicine area units generally used for a number of days or weeks to assist relieve pain caused by TMJ disorders created by muscle spasms.
Therapies:
- Oral splints: Often, folks with jaw pain can have the benefit of carrying a soft or firm device inserted over their teeth, however the explanations why these devices area unit useful don’t seem to be well-understood.
- Physical therapy: Besides exercises to stretch and strengthen jaw muscles, treatments may embrace ultrasound, damp heat and ice.
- Counseling: Education and content will assist you to perceive the factors and behaviors that will irritate your pain; therefore you’ll be able to avoid them. Examples embrace teeth clenching or grinding, leaning on your chin, or biting fingernails.
Surgical procedures:
- Arthrocentesis
- TMJ arthroscopy
- Modified condyloma
- Open-joint surgery
March Dental is one of the Kanata dental, a network of highly trained dental practitioners and staff dedicated to providing excellence in dental care for residents of Kanata, West Carleton, Stittsville, and the area. Our commitment to dentists is reflected in our comfortable and gradual environment and our positive and uplifting attitudes.
About The Author:
Dr. Dmytrowski is one of the best Kanata dentists at March Dental who completed her residency program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, NY. She then settled in Toronto where she practiced for 6 years in dentistry. Yolande Dmytrowski also holds a membership with the Canadian Dental Association, the Ontario Dental Association, as well as the Ottawa Dental Society. Being a member of these associations helps dentists stay abreast of the changes and recommendations for our profession.
