Get relief from TMJ
Discover the information and help you need to find relief from jaw pain, headaches, clicking, and other issues caused by TMJ.
Table of Contents
TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Disorders is a condition that affects the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. It is usually caused by trauma, having an improper bite, arthritis, or from wear and tear. With TMJ, you’ll experience jaw tenderness, headaches, earaches, and facial pain.
What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?
Unfortunately, TMJ has a long list of symptoms. Which may include:
- Jaw/Tooth pain and trouble opening your mouth wide
- Headaches and earaches
- Your jaw locking open or closed
- Pain in the neck or shoulders
- Clicking and popping sound in the jaw joint
- Difficulty chewing
- Your ears ringing
- Differences in the way your teeth fit together
- Your face swelling on the side
What Are the Treatments for TMJ?
There is a wide range of treatments for TMJ, ranging from at-home care to types of therapy and all the way to surgery. First, we’ll talk about the simpler and less complex treatments. The good news is that many of these options can work with one another to provide TMJ relief:
- Apply wet heat or cold packs Apply an ice pack to the side of your face and temple for 10 min every day. If your healthcare provider has instructed you to do stretches for your jaw, keep up with them. After stretching, put a warm towel or washcloth on the side of your face for about five minutes.
- Eat soft foods
- Take medications Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or naproxen (Aleve®)
- Wear a splint or night guard
- Undergo corrective dental treatments Keep up with any dental treatment and replace missing teeth. Use crowns, bridges, or braces to bring your bite into proper balance and alignment.
- Avoid extreme jaw movement
What Are the TMJ Surgery Options?
For TMJ surgery options, you have 3 choices, they are arthrocentesis, arthroscopy and open-joint surgery. The type of surgery you get will depend on the TMJ symptoms and the complexity of the problem you have.
1. Arthrocentesis
Arthrocentesis is minor procedure that is performed in your dentist’s office. This will be your option when the jaw suddenly locks and is stuck in the closed position. This procedure is performed by needles filled with sterile fluids which are put into the affected joint where the joint is washed out.
2. Arthroscopy
For this procedure, you are given general anesthesia. It starts with a small incision in front of the ear and your surgeon will then insert a small instrument which contains a lens and light. This instrument is hooked up to a screen, allowing the surgeon to examine the affected area. From there, your surgeon may remove inflamed tissue or will realign the disc. Since arthroscopic surgery is done through very small incisions, there are hardly any scars, a much shorter recovery time, less discomfort, and less post procedure complications compared to open-joint surgery.
3. Open-Joint Surgery
This is also performed under general anesthesia. In open surgery, a long incision is made to insert instruments. Open-joint surgeries are necessary when:
- The bone structures are wearing away.
- There are tumors around TMJ.
- Severe scarring or bone chips are in the joint.
Compared to arthrocentesis and arthroscopy, open-joint surgery has a longer healing time and is more likely to have tissue scarring. Though, there are situations in which open-joint surgery is the best option. Your dentist will help you determine which is best for you.
How to Cure TMJ Permanently?
See your dentist and they can help guide you into getting proper treatment. TMJ dysfunction can be successfully treated. It’s always best to treat the condition early, start before symptoms worsen and complicate the matter. Contact us today if you need assistance fInding a TMJ specialist near you.
TMJ FAQs
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that joins the skull’s temporal bone, which is situated in front of the ear on each side of the head, to the lower jawbone (mandible). Thanks to the temporomandibular joint, you can talk, chew, and yawn by moving your jaw up, down, and side to side. TMJ disorders (TMD) affect the TMJ and result in pain, stiffness, and difficulties moving the jaw.
TMD can be brought on by several things, including trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, teeth grinding or clenching, stress, and jaw or tooth misalignment.
TMJ disorders (TMD) may have a number of reasons that are not fully understood at this time. Common causes of TMD include the following:
- Trauma or injury to the jaw or the temporomandibular joint can harm the joint and result in TMD.
- Teeth clenching or grinding regularly, sometimes called bruxism, can exert undue strain on the TMJ and cause TMD.
- Misalignment of the teeth or jaw: TMD can be brought on by malocclusion, or a misaligned bite, which stresses the jaw joint.
- Arthritis: Rheumatoid or osteoarthritis can cause discomfort and inflammation in the TMJ.
- Stress: Emotional stress can tighten the jaw muscles, which might result in TMD.
It’s important to note that some people may develop TMD without an apparent cause.
TMJ disorders (TMD) occasionally resolve independently without medical intervention, especially for minor cases brought on by transient events like stress or injury. However, it is advised to seek medical assistance if the symptoms continue or worsen over time.
TMD may be a chronic disorder that needs to be treated to control the symptoms and stop the joint from suffering additional harm. TMD treatment may include a combination of self-care techniques, such as eating soft foods, refraining from chewing gum, and administering heat or ice to the jaw, as well as drugs, physical therapy, and even surgery in extreme cases, depending on the underlying cause of TMD.
In summary, if you are experiencing symptoms of TMD, it is best to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of your condition and develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
TMJ disorders (TMD) are diagnosed through physical examination, medical history review, and sometimes imaging tests. During the physical examination, the jaw joint and surrounding muscles will be examined for soreness, edema, and range of motion. They might also listen for sounds made when your jaw moves, such as clicking or cracking. Inquiries regarding your symptoms, their beginnings, their causes, and any prior jaw or tooth problems are all part of a medical history check.
A physician may prescribe imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to examine the joint or surrounding tissues for damage. A bite study may also be carried out to ascertain whether jaw or tooth misalignment is causing the TMD.