Our mouth is quite a complicated system. For instance, you can look at the functions of your jaw. The movement of jaw requires the complex system of joints and muscles to work appropriately. In this scenario, any disorder in the joints of jaw can result in restricted jaw movement, pain and discomfort. This problem with the joint is most commonly referred to as TMJ disorder, also known as TMD.
Now, the exact reason for the TMJ disorder may not be easily
determined. However, there are certain things which can be taken into
consideration to know about the causes and deciding about the treatment plan.
Here, it would be worth mentioning the symptoms of TMJ disorder before we talk
about the diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms
The symptoms of TMJ disorder are as under:
- Tenderness and pain in the jaw
- Pain in one or both of the TMJs
- Pain in and around the ear
- Difficulty or pain while chewing
- Facial pain
- Locking of joints; you will not be able to open or close your mouth.
Diagnosis
Your dentist is going to run a physical exam to know about
the existence of problem. This test doesn’t usually specify the intensity or
severity of issue. So your dentist may also run dental x-ray exam to know look
at the structure of your teeth and joints. Dental x-rays mostly provide the
data required but it may also fail in some instances. In those cases, the
dentist may choose a CT scan to get complete overview off the problem.
Treatment
Good news is that most cases of TMJ do not require any
treatment. The symptoms go away without any treatment. However, the persistence
of problem would require you to go for the treatment options.
The first thing that treatment of this problem is going to
involve is the pain relief. The dentist is going to suggest you the use of
painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. You can also use tricyclic
antidepressants which are mainly antidepressants. Another type of medications
that you can use is the muscle relaxant. If your problem is due to tension of
muscles around TMJ area, you are going to get your problem treated this way.
In some cases, your dentist may suggest you the nondrug
treatments. Those treatments mainly include Oral splints or mouth guards,
physical therapy and counseling.
If your problem is severe, your dentist may suggest surgery
for the treatment of issue. This method is quite invasive and you may be given
anesthesia before the treatment starts.
Other things that you have to take into consideration mainly
belong to the lifestyle changes. You can do a little exercise to treat the
issue. Again, you are going to have to talk to your dentist before starting any
treatment.
