WHAT IS TMJ/TMD?
TMJ Treatment / Jaw pain
Jaw Pain / Jaw
Clicking & Popping
Chronic pain and poor sleep quality have a significant impact on one’s quality of life, as they leave the person feeling exhausted and irritable. This, in turn, can affect their work, diminish their productivity and put a strain on their personal relationships. Various conditions can affect your ability to live a pain-free lifestyle and get a good night’s rest. One such disruptive disorder is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD) is not a single disorder. It is a group of painful conditions that affect the jaw joint and the muscles associated with chewing. As there is an intricate connection between the muscles in the face and the jaw, any misalignment of the jaw can cause a series of problems from your head to your back and beyond.
WHAT IS TMJ?
Temporo Mandibular Disorders (TMD) or Tempor mandibular joint disorder are the conditions affecting the TMJ. Various structures such as nerves, bone, cartilage and muscle structures play a crucial role in supporting the TMJ. Any issue within these areas can lead to craniofacial/orofacial pain and present through symptoms extending throughout the body. Temporomandibular joint (TMD) disorders can happen with or without articular disc reduction.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TMD?
The various symptoms of TMJ disorder include migraines, neck & back pain, jaw pain, snoring and sleep apnea. TMJ symptoms may rapidly advance; hence, it is best to treat it when the damage to the joint is reversible and the treatment is non-invasive. A TMJ doctor/ specialist can help you with TMJ disorders by understanding your symptoms and diagnosing the problem.Once the cause is established, TMD treatment will be given by a TMD specialist.
DO YOU HAVE A TMJ DISORDER?
The various symptoms of TMJ disorder include migraines, neck & back pain, jaw pain, snoring and sleep apnea. TMJ symptoms may rapidly advance; hence, it is best to treat it when the damage to the joint is reversible and the treatment is non-invasive. A TMJ doctor/ specialist can help you with TMJ disorders by understanding your symptoms and diagnosing the problem.
THE SYMPTOMS OF TMJ/TMD
When giving TMD/ TMJ disorder treatment to patients and explaining all the symptoms, they are oftentimes shocked to hear that the eyes, mouth, throat, ears, jaw, and neck are all associated with TMJ disorder. While some symptoms of Temporo Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), such as facial pain and headaches, seem self-explanatory, there are certain symptoms, such as ringing in their ears, anxiety, vertigo, sleep disorders, or chronic neck and back pain, that are not very prominent. This is why patients suffering from TMD, at times, may be misdiagnosed with psychosomatic disorders.
It is important to note that TMD affects overall health and well being, due to the intricate structures involved with this joint.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD/ TMJ) can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Here are some of the non-invasive methods we offer depending on the causes of TMJ pain / TMD.
- Orofacial Pain Relief : This therapy includes massages of the muscles i.e FNFT and Low Level Laser Therapy to relieve non-dental pain inside your mouth, head, face or neck.
- Myofunctional therapy : Myofunctional therapy helps treat not only the root cause but also helps establish correct tongue posture, nasal breathing and correct swallowing. It helps by strengthening orofacial muscles and the tongue and is often used alongside other TMJ treatment options like GNM Orthotics to treat sleep apnea and airway problems, posture correction, and so on.
- GNeuromuscular Orthotics : GNM dentistry is the next level of advancement and uses TMJ splints or mouthpieces, or mouth guards. A customized GNM orthotic appliance is carefully designed for your specific needs to reduce and eventually eliminate discomfort to the teeth, jaws, and muscles of the head, neck & shoulders.
- Airway Orthodontics : Airway orthodontics focuses on expanding and bringing the jaw forward to create wider airways to help improve a person’s well-being.
- Tongue Tie Release: The tongue tie procedure involves releasing the fascia to relieve unfavorable compensations of the lower jaw and TMJ. It also lessens the tension in the mouth’s floor, neck, face and head.
TMD/ TMJ Disorders Symptoms
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Jaw pain
- Ringing, Tinnitus, Fullness in Ear
- Lopsided Jaw Opening
- Sensitive Teeth
- Pain/Pressure behind the eyes
- Tingling/Numbness in Arm
- Dry Eyes, Tingling of Eyes
- Headaches & Migraines
- Misaligned Teeth
- Dizziness & Vertigo
- Neck Pain & Shoulder Stiffness
- Limited Jaw Opening
- Jaw clicking or Popping
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD/ TMJ) can be difficult to diagnose and treat, so it is essential to be screened, diagnosed, and treated by a dentist specifically trained and experienced in temporomandibular joint disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jaw locking is a problem that may occur when you have a Temporo mandibular disorders (TMD or TMJD) or teeth grinding (bruxism). The disc in the TMJ is displaced and prevents the jaw from moving in full range of motion. Hence, it is important to consult a specialist to determine the root cause of jaw locking.
Jaw popping and locking may occur due to the following reasons,
- Temporo mandibular disorders (TMD or TMJD)
- Bruxism
- Medical conditions such as arthritis
- Incorrect teeth and jaw alignment
To determine the exact cause of jaw popping and locking, it is best to seek advice from a TMJ specialist. A TMJ specialist will help you with proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
Get Mouth Breathing Diagnosis
Jaw pain on one or both sides can result from various problems. Dental issues, TMJ disorders, stress, teeth grinding, etc are some of its common causes. If you are experiencing jaw pain on one or both sides, you can consult a TMJ specialist. A TMJ specialist will help you identify your symptoms and condition, and provide the right treatment for it.
Mild jaw deviation is common and should not be a huge cause of concern. However, if your jaw deviation is persistent and is accompanied by pain, then it may be a sign of TMJ issues. In such case, it is best to see a TMJ specialist.
Some home remedies that can help ease jaw pain may include cold or warm compression, relieving stress, avoiding consumption of chewy or hard foods, doing some jaw exercises, etc. While these home remedies may give temporary relief from jaw pain, it is best advised to seek professional help from a doctor.
OUR NON-INVASIVE SOLUTIONS FOR TMJ DISORDER AND JAW PAIN
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