12 Aug What is TMJ and how is it treated?
Temproromandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a common complaint among San Antonio patients. That’s not surprising, considering that 35 million Americans suffer from TMJ disorders, according to the TMJ Association. Women, particularly those in their childbearing years, tend to have TMJ problems more often than men.
TMJ is actually a collection of conditions that can cause pain in the jaw, which is comprised of complex joints and tissues. Because the joints are such complicated structures, any number of problems can arise within the joints and lead to TMJ pain. Many factors can influence TMJ, including genetic predispositions and arthritis.
A person who has TMJ may experience pain when doing something as simple as chewing or speaking. TMJ can also lead to headaches and even ear pain in some cases. Some TMJ patients experience clicking in the jaw and have limited movement in the joint, along with the pain.
In some patients, TMJ pain goes away on its own. But for many others, the pain persists for months. When that happens, the patient should visit a dentist to get a definitive diagnosis and treatment to relieve symptoms. Because other conditions, such as abscesses and infections, can cause pain similar to that that occurs with TMJ, the dentist may recommend tests to rule out those conditions. The dentist may also request a panoramic x-ray, which shows the entire jaw structure, to help pinpoint TMJ.
After TMJ is diagnosed, dentists may recommend varying approaches to treatment, depending on the condition’s severity. You may be asked to restrict your diet to soft foods or to avoid actions like gum chewing and yawning, which might trigger pain. If your TMJ is caused by grinding of the teeth, your dentist may suggest a night guard to alleviate symptoms. Electrical stimulation of the nerves in the area can be effective, as can injections of pain medications into the muscles in the vicinity of the jaw. Treatment for more severe cases may require realigning the bite using orthodontics or surgery.
If you are bothered by TMJ in the San Antonio area, please schedule an appointment with our dentistry team to learn about treatment options at your next appointment.