TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint which connects your jawbone to your lower skull. Without this joint, you couldn’t talk, eat, or yawn. TMJ disorder can often lead to other health problems due to difficulty eating and restricted jaw movement.
For example, poor oral health (which can lead to other health problems) can result from trouble properly cleaning their teeth and gums. Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and more about TMJ disorder.
Causes
The causes of TMJ disorder vary from person to person, especially depending on their medical history. Some of the most common causes include but are not limited to: injury to the mouth/jaw, teeth grinding, and arthritis.
Genetics can also play a role. It can be a combination of factors so pinpointing is either unclear or difficult and time-intensive.
More Than One Kind
There are actually numerous different types of TMJ disorders because different causes present different symptoms and complications. The three most common types are myofascial pain, arthritis, and injury-induced.
Myofascial pain includes chronic pain disorders in the muscle that control jaw function which often lead to general jaw pain and discomfort. TMJ arthritis encapsulates degenerative or inflammation disorders
Injury-related TMJ disorder includes a lot. Some of the most common are a displaced disk, dislocated jaw, injury to the condyle (the rounded part at the end of a bone, which helps connect to the adjacent bone), and others.
If you do have a TMJ disorder, you may experience a wide variety of symptoms such as:
- Soreness and/or pain in your jaw
- Limited jaw mobility manifested in difficulty chewing and talking
- Tinnitus
- Headaches
- Toothaches
- Neck Aches
- Facial pain and/or tenderness
- Clicking in the Jaw
The main symptoms are pain/tenderness and limited movement. If you aren’t experiencing either of these or if you’re unsure whether the symptoms you’re experiencing are a result of a TMJ disorder then it’s a good idea to consult one of our dentists.
Treatment
The vast majority of cases aren’t severe enough to need an invasive procedure, but if your symptoms continue to worsen it may be necessary. This line of treatment is reserved as a last resort if more conservative non-invasive methods aren’t effective.
TMJ disorder is commonly caused by teeth grinding which can be prevented by a TMJ night guard. Most cases are easily managed and one of our dentists can recommend the best course of action for you specifically.
If your TMJ disorder is muscle-related, your dentist may talk to you about taking muscle relaxers to put your muscles at ease during recovery. Some people with a TMJ disorder benefit from physical therapy to work on stretching and improving the mobility of their jaw.
Ready to Learn More?
Are you suffering from a TMJ disorder? Our emergency dentists in Novi, MI are accepting new patients and will be more than happy to fit you into their schedule as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment, call R. Peter Maly DDS at (248) 347-3700.