The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the jaw to the skull and allows you to open and close your mouth. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a common condition that occurs when the joint is inflamed or irritated.
Sometimes TMJ disorder has a known cause, while other times, the cause is unknown. TMD may be the result of an injury, arthritis, teeth grinding, or stress.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a condition that affects your jaw joints. It stems from a misalignment of the jaw or teeth, as well as from spasms in the muscles that control chewing. When you’re not chewing properly, you can experience severe headaches, earaches, and facial pain.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
The causes of TMJ disorder can range from genetics to arthritis to a misaligned tooth. TMJ disorder can be quite difficult to diagnose because symptoms can mimic other disorders, such as earaches, headaches, or migraines.
The major causes of TMJ disorder include the following:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding
- An improper bite
- Dislocation of the disc that lies between the ball and socket joint
- TMJ arthritis
- Stress
- Acute trauma
Symptoms of TMJ disorder
TMJ disorder is a painful condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, the joint that connects your jaw to your skull.
Symptoms include:
- Jaw pain
- Difficulty chewing
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Facial tenderness
- Neck pain
- Jaw popping and clicking
- Locking of the jaw
- Teeth that shift or move
- Ear pain
- Ear ringing or noises
- Ear pain on one side of the head
- Jaw pain that worsens when you open your mouth wide
TMJ Disorder Treatment.
TMJ disorder treatments can vary depending on the patient. If the condition consists of mild irritation, the patient may benefit from over-the-counter pain relievers and hot and cold packs. If the condition has progressed to pain, tenderness, and swelling, they may require a medication prescription or a muscle relaxant.
Oral Appliance
Another common treatment for a TMJ disorder is an oral appliance. This soft plastic device is custom-made to fit your mouth and requires only occasional adjustment. The oral appliance will prevent your teeth from grinding against each other while you sleep. Besides, it ensures stable teeth contact during the closure of the mouth. As a result, pain and other symptoms of the disorder should resolve over time.
To learn more about the services offered at Tava Dentistry, call Dentist in Colorado at (719) 434-6630 or visit our dental office located at 320 E Fontanero St #302, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.
