Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the mandible (lower jaw) to the skull. It is involved in many everyday functions such as biting, chewing, and even speaking and laughing. It consists of bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. 

It allows two different types of movement. One is protrusion/retraction, which moves the mandible forward and backward. A combination of these two movements allows a lateral one that is involved in the chewing process. The other type of movement this joint has is elevation/depression which is responsible for most of the mandible's functions.

What causes TMJ syndrome?

There are many causes for TMJ dysfunction and some of them may become apparent after the diagnosis of the syndrome. The most common cause is trauma, in all of its forms. In some people, minor repeated trauma is the reason for this syndrome. This is the type that results from some habits like clenching or grinding your teeth. Some people are not even aware that they do this since it mostly happens during sleep. These habits cause some irritation of the muscles with subsequent pain. On the other side of the spectrum, a sudden hard trauma such as getting hit in the head can also cause TMJ syndrome.

On the other hand, systemic disorders can also affect the TMJ. This is the case of osteoarthritis, which is a disease in which the cartilage in different joints wears down with age. The TMJ is no different from other joints and can suffer the consequences of this disease. Another systemic disorder that can affect it is rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder in which your body attacks your own joints, resulting in destroyed cartilage, eroded bone, and deformity.

What are the symptoms?

TMJ disorder can have many different symptoms that range from a minor inconvenience to more serious and disabling ones. The least serious symptom you can experience is hearing little sounds like a pop or a click when you open your mouth or chew food. This happens when the disc in the TMJ is out of place. From here, it can only get worse.

Experiencing pain in the actual joint is fairly common. It is located in front of your ear. This pain can radiate to your facial muscles, neck, and shoulders. It can worsen by talking, yawning and eating. It can be accompanied by face and mouth swelling as well as muscle spasms. In some cases, the jaw can become dislocated and lock in a wide-open position. TMJ disorder can also be a cause of headaches. Finally, it can also have symptoms of an ear infection, like ringing in your ear and hearing loss. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then you should visit a dental clinic in Davie to seek TMJ treatment near you.

How is it treated?

TMJ treatment is a multidisciplinary affair that can have many different approaches. When experiencing it, it is important to visit a dentist near you for proper counseling. Since this disorder is linked to stress, you need to learn to cope better with it. You could try meditation or yoga. If you are experiencing pain, then NSAIDs can be prescribed to relieve it. It is recommended to eat softer foods that don't require heavy chewing. 

When the tension is too severe, some doctors may inject Botox in your muscles to relax them. An important part of the treatment is physical therapy exercises. These can help stretch and relax your muscles. As you see, there are different options, and if you are looking for TMJ treatment in Davie, it is better to look for healthcare professionals who can provide proper counseling.