TMJ disorder – How to tell?

Your jawbone is connected to your skull via the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and these joints function as a sliding hinge. On either side of your jaw, the concerned joint is located. TMJ problems, a kind of TMD, temporomandibular disorder, can cause discomfort in the jaw joint and the muscles that regulate jaw movement. You may have TMJ dysfunction if these joints produce jaw discomfort and strain, although other disorders can also cause similar symptoms. Here's how to tell if you have TMJ disorder or not.

Causes behind TMJ Disorder:

It's often difficult to pinpoint the specific source of TMJ dysfunction. Genetics, arthritis, or a jaw injury might contribute to your discomfort. Although many people routinely clench or grind their teeth and never develop TMJ problems, some persons with jaw discomfort also clench or grind their teeth (bruxism). Other health issues may also play a role in developing TMJ disorders.

These are some of them:

• development disorders
• arthritis
• joint erosion (joints wearing away)
• everyday teeth grinding or clenching
• structural jaw problems evident at birth

Symptoms of TMJ disorders:

TMJ disorder symptoms vary depending on the extent and source of your disease. TMJ problems are characterized by discomfort in the jaw and surrounding muscles. But it also extends from mere jaw pain; it also causes muscle strain and inflammation, which grounds a slew of other symptoms. You probably have a TMJ problem if your discomfort is supplemented by one or more of the following symptoms:

• stiffness in the jaw muscles
• discomfort during chewing
• uneasiness in the face or neck
• Jaw mobility is restricted.
• Tooth-eroding
• tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
• locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
• clicking or cracking sound from the TMJ site
• vertigo
• headaches
• a movement in the jaw, causing the upper and lower teeth to align differently (called malocclusion)
• Temporomandibular joint pain in one or both joints
• TMJ issues can generate a clicking or grating feeling when you open your mouth or chew. However, you generally don't need TMJ therapy if your jaw clicking isn't accompanied by pain or mobility restriction.

Another point to observe is these symptoms might appear on either one or both sides of the face.

How to Diagnose:

TMJ problems are challenging to diagnose. Most of the illnesses within that umbrella have no conventional tests to interpret them. To identify your issue, your doctor may recommend you to your dentist. If there is swelling or soreness, a healthcare expert may evaluate you. They could also employ a variety of imaging tests, like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.

Although knowing about the symptoms and looking for associated signs can help the patient because TMJ issues are usually very transient and can be eased with self-care or nonsurgical therapies. Surgery is generally reserved as the last resort after all other options have failed; some patients with TMJ issues may benefit from surgical treatment. This problem, however, will necessitate a diagnosis from our dentist. In reality, they may assist you in determining the source of your TMJ problems and putting you on the right treatment path.

Contact your Pinole dentist, Dr. Hoss Abar, DDS, MSD, at Abar Orthodontics to get information about TMJ disorder.

Resource:

How Do Periodontal Treatments Work?

*This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition