TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to your complex jaw joint. If you’ve had symptoms like pain or a clicking sound, you’ll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. Even clicking can lead to more serious problems, so early treatment is important. No one treatment can solve TMJ disorders completely, and treatment takes time to be effective. But with the help of your healthcare team, you’re more likely to have a healthier and more comfortable TMJ.
TMJ problems develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth which tightens your jaw muscles and stresses your TMJ. Maybe a “bad” bite has misaligned your joint. Or you may have had a jaw joint injury or disease. Whatever the causes, your symptoms may include pain, a clicking or grating noise when you open your mouth, or trouble opening your mouth very wide. Restoring the harmony in your jaw. There’s no simple prescription for your TMJ. Restoring your jaw’s harmony may include several kinds of treatment to reduce muscle tension, regain a stable bite, or rest and heal your jaw joint.
When you understand the anatomy involved in your TMJ disorder, you can better understand your role in relieving your symptoms. An evaluation by your dental and medical professional is where you start. An evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder. It also clarifies the causes of your disorder, helping to set the stage for treatment. Treatment works best with a team approach of self-care and professional care. Treatment may take time and include many options.
You can have a TMJ disorder for a long time without realizing it. That’s because some of its symptoms, such as worn teeth or headaches, may seem unrelated to your jaw joint. But there’s often more to TMJ disorders than just joints. Muscles and your bite- how your teeth come together- can also affect how your TMJ functions, as you can begin to see from the following questions.
Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth? Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaw?
Do you have frequent headaches or neckaches? Does your pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken, or worn?
Have you had bite problems, such as teeth that don’t touch when you bite? Do you have missing teeth?
Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
Do you have difficulty chewing your food?
Does your jaw click, pop, or grate when you open your mouth?
Do you have trouble opening your mouth, eating, or yawning? Does your jaw sometimes catch or lock closed?
Have you ever injured your head, neck, or jaw?
Have you had problems with other joints? Arthritis?
The more times you answered yes, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will begin to help you understand how they’re treated.
Dr James A Miller, Aesthetic Dentist - Providing cosmetic, bioaesthetic and neuromuscular dentistry to the areas of Hillsboro and Portland, Oregon.
Portland Neuromuscular Dentist
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