Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are located on each side of the head that connects the jawbone to the skull. These joints work with bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments and act like springs while speaking, yawning and chewing. TMJ disorders cause pain in the jaw joint and muscles that control the entire jaw movement. Mostly, the condition happens due to overuse, inflammation, and jaw injury.
The causes of TMJ disorder
- Physical injury
- Dental surgery
- Infections
- Clenching/grinding teeth during sleep
- Autoimmune diseases
- Excessive gum chewing
- Anxiety or stress
Symptoms of TMJ disorder
- Pain in the ear, jaw, face, and neck
- Jaw joint lock
- Pain while chewing
- Tired feeling on the face
- Headaches
- The pain feels like a toothache
- Tinnitus
- Stiff and sore neck or jaw muscles
- Numbness and tingling in the face
- Vertigo
- Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw while opening and closing the mouth
How is TMJ diagnosed?
Other conditions such as sinusitis, gum disease, tooth decay cause similar symptoms. So, the dentist will first ask your medical history and then perform a physical examination. He will check the jaw joints, tenderness or pain; listen for grating or popping sounds while moving the jaw. The patient may be asked to bite in order to find out problems with facial muscles. Finally, he may recommend entire face X-ray, followed by CT/MRI for further investigation.
Treatment for TMJ pain
The TMJ pain may be mild, moderate or severe. Based on the condition of the pain, the treatment should be taken. For mild pain, you can follow some conventional methods to reduce pain and swelling. Taking NSAIDs, hot/cold pack fomentation, avoiding excess jaw movements, using mouth guards, doing some relaxation techniques, eating soft foods may help out to reduce the pain, tenderness, and swelling.
When you feel moderate pain, then Low-level laser therapy, Radio wave therapy, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may aid out.
When the said treatments do not help you out and suffer from severe pain, then surgery is the final option. TMJ Arthroscopy, Open-joint surgery, Corticosteroid Injections, Arthrocentesis, Modified condylotomy are some of the surgical options to eliminate TMJ pain.
Chinthamani Laser Dental clinic, Chennai has been headed by highly experienced dentists from various dentistry disciplines. They provide perfect dental solutions for all dental issues. Their TMJ pain treatment in Chennai is bespoke one. Many patients have been receiving excellent treatment for TMJ disorders.
When you feel moderate pain, then Low-level laser therapy, Radio wave therapy, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may aid out.
When the said treatments do not help you out and suffer from severe pain, then surgery is the final option. TMJ Arthroscopy, Open-joint surgery, Corticosteroid Injections, Arthrocentesis, Modified condylotomy are some of the surgical options to eliminate TMJ pain.
Chinthamani Laser Dental clinic, Chennai has been headed by highly experienced dentists from various dentistry disciplines. They provide perfect dental solutions for all dental issues. Their TMJ pain treatment in Chennai is bespoke one. Many patients have been receiving excellent treatment for TMJ disorders.
