Do you experience any jaw pain whenever you yawn or chew? There is a high probability that your temporomandibular joint is out of order. If this is the case, the problem can be chronic and debilitating and can deter you from enjoying your day.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) links the skull to your jawbone. If the joint is out of order, eating and talking can be daunting tasks. Statistics show that TMJ syndrome affects women more than men. It is also prevalent in adults between 20 and 40 years. However, our dentist in Berlin and Cromwell, CT, can treat it. TMJ therapy in Berlin and Cromwell comes in different ways, but before we look into that, let’s understand more about TMJ syndrome.
Though the name is a mouthful, the temporomandibular joint is an important joint that is located on either side of your jaw. This joint operates like a sliding hinge that links your skull to your lower jawbone. The joint allows you to move your jaw from side to side and up and down. In other words, this joint enables you to eat, yawn, and talk.
Sometimes the joint can be inflamed or injured, causing a condition called temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, some people have mistakenly referred to this disorder as TMJ, an acronym for the joint.
A myriad of factors can cause TMD. However, there are instances when the cause of the disorder is not known. Here are some of the causes of TMD:
In some cases, the symptoms are temporary and tend to go away without any treatment. Others may experience chronic symptoms that can even last several years. The symptom that is the most prevalent is pain. Other than that, you might experience:
If you experience the clicking or popping sounds without limitation of movement or pain, then you might not need TMJ therapy in Berlin and Cromwell, CT.
Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, like sinus issues, tooth decay, gum disease, or arthritis. So, a thorough physical examination and history will be able to shed some light on the issue.
Our dentist will check for tenderness or pain or even clicking sounds at the joint. Also, your jaw will be inspected to make sure that it’s moving as it should. Your bite will also be tested to see if your facial muscles are functioning properly.
X-rays will be taken so that our dentist can get a clear view of your jaw and teeth to rule out other dental issues. A CT scan can be used to get a detailed view of your jawbone. Our dentist will use an MRI to view the soft tissue around your jaw.
If you are lucky, the symptoms will disappear after some time. However, if the symptoms persist, our dentist may recommend the following:
Our dentist may prescribe any of the following medications, coupled with other therapies to alleviate pain:
Our dentist may recommend any of the following therapies:
When the above therapies do not work, then surgery becomes necessary. Some of the viable options available:
TMD can cause you not to perform your daily activities. You can contact our dentist at Advanced Dental to schedule an appointment if you need TMJ treatment.
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