The temporomandibular joint (commonly referred to as the TMJ), is a form of a hinge joint formed by the mandible (jawbone) and the skull. The jawbone slides against the skull when one is chewing or talking. A number of disorders are known to affect this joint necessitating the need for dental consultation. Examples include painful chewing, a locked jaw, jaw pain and so on. There are a number of modalities of TMJ treatment Atlanta residents need to know.
While the cause is not usually known for most cases, one of several events are usually suspected. One of these events is erosion of the joint by the shock absorbing disk or displacement from its natural position. Pain within the joint may also be seen when the cartilage is damaged by inflammatory processes such as arthritis. The third event is the effect of trauma by a blunt force to the jawbone.
The incidence of TMJ disorders is highest among young women aged 20 to 40 years. When you visit the dentist, part of the concerns will be to establish the duration of your symptoms, whether similar symptoms have been experienced in the past and whether or not one has had any psychological stress in recent times. After conducting a physical exam, the doctor will request for investigations such as an X-ray image or a CT scan.
The treatment options that are used for TMJ disorders are broadly categorized into two: surgical and non-surgical. Drugs are the most important among the non-surgical options. There are various categories of pharmacological agents considered for various disorders including analgesic agents, antidepressants, sedatives and muscle relaxants. The analgesic agents needed can easily be obtained over the counter. The severe cases may require stronger prescription drugs such as opioids.
Non-pharmacological therapies may be used alone or alongside the drugs. Bite guards or oral splints are quite effective in persons with constant jaw pain. The mechanism through which they work is largely obscure. Physical therapies are another important category of non-pharmacological therapies. They include stretching, massage, and heat and cold therapies. Counseling is needed in cases of anxiety disorders.
Surgery and other invasive procedures are considered when the non-invasive options are ineffective. Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive technique in which a needle is inserted into the joint space to aspirate any inflammatory products and debris causing discomfort. Surgery is recommended if an anatomical defect is suspected. The joint may be realigned or replaced with prostheses.
One can institute a number of self-help remedies that will help the frequency of these disorders and the severity of the symptoms. It is important that tension-related habits as much as possible. Such habits include jaw clenching, teeth grinding and chewing of pencils and gum. For persons that are at increased risk of those in whom episodes are frequent, adopting a softer diet may help.
Several complementary medicine options have been attempted for this problem with varying success rates. Acupuncture is one of those that are widely used. In this technique, inserting fine needles in predetermined parts of the body is believed to help restore the normal flow of life energy, qi, in diseased organs. Another method that is also said to be highly successful is controlled breathing. This option achieves its effects by helping relax the muscles around the joint.
While the cause is not usually known for most cases, one of several events are usually suspected. One of these events is erosion of the joint by the shock absorbing disk or displacement from its natural position. Pain within the joint may also be seen when the cartilage is damaged by inflammatory processes such as arthritis. The third event is the effect of trauma by a blunt force to the jawbone.
The incidence of TMJ disorders is highest among young women aged 20 to 40 years. When you visit the dentist, part of the concerns will be to establish the duration of your symptoms, whether similar symptoms have been experienced in the past and whether or not one has had any psychological stress in recent times. After conducting a physical exam, the doctor will request for investigations such as an X-ray image or a CT scan.
The treatment options that are used for TMJ disorders are broadly categorized into two: surgical and non-surgical. Drugs are the most important among the non-surgical options. There are various categories of pharmacological agents considered for various disorders including analgesic agents, antidepressants, sedatives and muscle relaxants. The analgesic agents needed can easily be obtained over the counter. The severe cases may require stronger prescription drugs such as opioids.
Non-pharmacological therapies may be used alone or alongside the drugs. Bite guards or oral splints are quite effective in persons with constant jaw pain. The mechanism through which they work is largely obscure. Physical therapies are another important category of non-pharmacological therapies. They include stretching, massage, and heat and cold therapies. Counseling is needed in cases of anxiety disorders.
Surgery and other invasive procedures are considered when the non-invasive options are ineffective. Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive technique in which a needle is inserted into the joint space to aspirate any inflammatory products and debris causing discomfort. Surgery is recommended if an anatomical defect is suspected. The joint may be realigned or replaced with prostheses.
One can institute a number of self-help remedies that will help the frequency of these disorders and the severity of the symptoms. It is important that tension-related habits as much as possible. Such habits include jaw clenching, teeth grinding and chewing of pencils and gum. For persons that are at increased risk of those in whom episodes are frequent, adopting a softer diet may help.
Several complementary medicine options have been attempted for this problem with varying success rates. Acupuncture is one of those that are widely used. In this technique, inserting fine needles in predetermined parts of the body is believed to help restore the normal flow of life energy, qi, in diseased organs. Another method that is also said to be highly successful is controlled breathing. This option achieves its effects by helping relax the muscles around the joint.
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