TMD, formerly known as TMJ Syndrome, covers many Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affecting the jaw joint and its movement. Each case’s symptoms, causes, and treatments vary. While mild TMJ discomfort can be treated with homeopathy, it is essential to know your TMD treatment options and act before it worsens. Your health and well-being depend on it. Addressing TMD pain quickly and correctly is an excellent New Year’s resolution.
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the sliding hinge connecting the jawbone to the skull. TMD is a wide range of TMJ disorders that cause pain in one or both jaw joints, inhibiting the jaw’s ability to move. TMDs are more common in women and occur between the ages of 20 and 40 years of age. Symptoms can include aching pain in and around the ear, difficult or painful chewing, aching facial pain, locking of the jaw joint, headache, neck pain, eye pain, tooth pain, and jaw tenderness. TMDs can affect facial movements and functionality, such as speaking, chewing, yawning, and kissing, resulting in adverse physical, social, socioeconomic, and psychological effects.
How Do You Get TMD?
TMDs can be caused by injury, trauma, genes, and pain perception. Another cause of TMDs is bruxism, which is the habit of teeth clenching or grinding. Stress, nail biting, and gum chewing also contribute to the disorder.
How Can You Find out if you Have TMD?
Most assessments begin with a dentist performing an occlusal analysis to identify discrepancies in tooth alignment. This first step is an essential component of evaluation. Based on the results, an occlusal appliance such as a mouth guard may be one aspect of treatment.
How is TMD Treated?
A mouth guard, physical therapy for the jaw, and pharmaceuticals may be used together or separately as a treatment approach. Lifestyle modifications, including stress management, are points a dentist will advocate. Other treatments may include eating soft foods, applying heat or cold to the face, facial exercise, over-the-counter medications, changing jaw-clenching habits, and electrical stimulation. Botox injections are another option that can help relax overactive jaw muscles and reduce pain caused by TMD. By targeting the muscles involved in clenching and grinding, Botox can alleviate tension and improve overall jaw function. This treatment is particularly effective for patients whose TMD symptoms stem from chronic muscle overuse.
While your healthcare team may consist of physical therapists, orthodontists, neurologists, and other healthcare workers, TMD treatment originates with a dentist.
Arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, and implants are three proven dental procedures to help TMDs. Arthrocentesis uses a needle to push liquid into the TMJ, causing pressure that removes scar-like tissues and clears substances that cause inflammation. Arthroscopy is a procedure in which an instrument with a tiny video camera is inserted into the jaw joint for diagnosis. Arthroscopy is also used to remove adhesions or reposition the joint’s disc. TMJ implants have also been proven to improve pain and function with TMD. If the joint is frozen, there is severe joint damage or a congenital condition; a TMJ implant could be helpful.
While there are many categories and contributing factors to TMD, it is most important to know the reasons for your case and treat it accordingly.
Some TMJ disorders can cause a painless clicking sound or grinding sensation when the mouth is opened or chewing. Others are painful and require more attention.
TMD-M and TMD-J
Approaches to painful TMJ disorders such as TMD-J and TMD-M require a wider variety of specific treatments. These types of TMDs have complex symptoms and underlying causes, requiring a multifaceted treatment strategy.
TMD-M type is characterized by persistent and dull, mild to moderate muscle pain that can become more intense and radiate with jaw usage. Tenderness and pain that occur with the masticating muscles are signs of TMD-M. Depression and anxiety have been associated with TMD-M.
TMD-J type can manifest due to inflammation stemming from various kinds of arthritis or may occur without arthritis. The approaches to this type of TMJ disorder include pharmacological treatments such as NSAIDs, hyaluronic acid, and dextrose.
Common treatments for painful TMD include splints, physiotherapy, jaw exercises, behavioral medicine, surgery, drugs, and wet-needling therapies. Nonpharmacological interventions are first-line treatments, and surgery is rare and a last resort.
TMD Dentist in Sandy Springs
There are options for your TMD journey. Don’t let jaw pain hold you back any longer—schedule a consultation with us today to explore treatments tailored to your needs and take the first step toward lasting relief. Your comfort is our priority!
Posted on behalf of Creative Dentistry & MedSpa