If your jaws hurt, or you’ve heard a cracking or popping sound when you open your mouth, you might have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condition. TMJ problems are particularly common in young women and can lead to a variety of apparently unrelated symptoms. Having dental treatment for TMJ issues or consulting a TMJ specialist in Denver will help you control your symptoms and improve your ability to chew normally.
Signs and signs that you may have a TMJ disorder:
The following symptoms suggest that you will need to seek dental treatment for a TMJ disorder:
- Facial, jaw, or pain in the ear
- Pain in the neck and back
- Popping, tapping, or scraping sounds as you open or close your mouth
- Jaw lock open or shut down
- Pain when you talk, chew, or yawn.
- Headaches
- Damage or tinnitus hearing
- Muscle Spasm
- Dizziness
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- The challenge of opening your mouth all the way
What triggers the TMJ disorder?
The cause of TMJ problems may not always be apparent, but several factors can contribute.
There are some of the possible causes of TMJ symptoms:
- Trauma to the face or to the jaw
- Stress-related jaw-clenching or tooth-grinding
- Muscle Disease
- Such dental disorders, such as malocclusion;
- Arthritis
- Any oral surgery
- Why TMJ Disabilities Were Viewed
Your doctor or dentist may be able to treat your symptoms, or you may be referred for advanced treatment to a TMJ specialist. The following treatments may be useful:
- Ice or heat applied to the jaw
- Anti-inflammatory or pain treatment
- To rest the jaw for a few days by eating soft food
- Treatment for night-time dental grinding or jaw clenching
- Reduction of tension
- Treatment of underlying dental conditions
- Surgery for repair of damaged TMJ joint
Care options for TMJ
Treatment options vary from patient to patient, based on their fitness, medical background, tolerance to certain medicines and oral appliances, and how far the condition has progressed. The most common therapies are stress relief methods for relaxing the jaw joints and minimizing jaw clenching or teeth grinding. Often, minor lifestyle improvements can be the best remedy.
A minority of patients can experience relief from over-the-counter pain killers or muscle relaxers, but they will only relieve pain temporarily and will not address the underlying causes of their condition.
Orthodontic braces are an effective alternative, particularly in cases where TMJ is caused by misalignment or malocclusion of the bite. Braces can realign your bite, correct the alignment of your teeth and jaw, which can theoretically minimize or remove other symptoms. It is necessary, however, to confirm that braces are needed first, as having them when you don’t need them can cause TMJ disorder or exacerbate existing symptoms.
Who should you consult about your TMJ disorder?
The first question to be asked when deciding whether to see a dentist or a TMJ orthodontist is ‘Who has a greater knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and musculoskeletal disorders?’ Because orthodontists do more research and training in bones and joints, they are the preferred choice in this field.
The next question is, ‘Who is best qualified to help you handle your pain?’This is vital because you will still feel pain during care or may have painful flare-ups in the healing process afterward.
You’ll want to find a therapist who recognizes how chronic pain impacts your day-to-day life, and who can better plan ahead to alleviate discomfort. If you select an orthodontic surgeon at Trinity Orthodontics, you won’t find any better or more experienced applicants.
If you or a loved one needs a professional opinion from one of their experts on the assessment and care of your possible TMJ in Denver, all you need to do is visit www.trinityorthodontics.com and boom an appointment today!
