The temporomandibular joint or TMJ is the joint and jaw muscle that help in opening or closing the mouth. The joint is usually located on both side of the head and often work together when speaking, chewing or swallowing. At the same time, the joint controls the lower jaw or the mandible as it moves forward or backward. Nevertheless, if you have a disorder on this joint you may visit tmj dentist Atlanta.
A temporomandibular joint usually have discs that lies between the socket and ball. The discs usually cushion the load thereby helping the jaw to rotate and open widely. However, if a problem is preventing these complex system made of discs, ligaments, bones, and muscles from working efficiently, the temporomandibular joints disorder arises which is usually painful.
The causes of this disorder are such as dislocation, injury, arthritis, stress and teeth grinding, and tooth and jaw alignment. During treatment, proper diagnosis is usually important to know the cause of the problem before treatment. A dental examination will include checking the muscles and the joints for tenderness, difficulty moving, and clicking. After the diagnosis, the dentist may recommend you see a physician or another specialist dentist.
These disorder is often characterized by different symptoms which are an indication that you have the disorder. For instance, you could be having grating, popping and clicking noises when chewing or moving the mouth. On the other hand, you might have a feeling of pain on the jaw and near your ears. A person could also experience difficulty opening the mouth since the jaw are tight which make it difficult when eating. The other signs of this disorder are such as blocked sensations of the ear, headaches as well as neck and back pain.
In Atlanta GA, the treatment of this disorder begins by visiting a dentist or a GP for diagnosis as well as discuss the ideal treatment options. First, non-surgical treatment options are tried first such as self-physiotherapy treatments and lifestyle changes. However, if the disorder is more severe, the patient may be referred for further treatment options to maxillofacial and oral surgeon.
Lifestyle changes, as well as self-physiotherapy techniques which could help improve the disorder, include resting the joints by avoiding chewing gum and taking soft foods. Again, you can hold a warm or cold funnel for around 20 minutes to the jaw several times daily. You may also massage the muscles around the joints and perform self-relaxation techniques to relieve stress.
Medications like the painkillers may also help relieve pain caused by this disorder. If such medications are not effective, stronger ones may be recommended such as muscle relaxant and the antidepressants. In case the disorder is due to a disease like the arthritis, steroid injections could be used to reduce joint pain and swelling.
However, if the above treatment options do not work effectively, a specialist can recommend surgical treatment. Such a treatment is normally recommended if the problem is the TMJ and not the chewing muscles. Also, only very few people would have total joint replacement.
A temporomandibular joint usually have discs that lies between the socket and ball. The discs usually cushion the load thereby helping the jaw to rotate and open widely. However, if a problem is preventing these complex system made of discs, ligaments, bones, and muscles from working efficiently, the temporomandibular joints disorder arises which is usually painful.
The causes of this disorder are such as dislocation, injury, arthritis, stress and teeth grinding, and tooth and jaw alignment. During treatment, proper diagnosis is usually important to know the cause of the problem before treatment. A dental examination will include checking the muscles and the joints for tenderness, difficulty moving, and clicking. After the diagnosis, the dentist may recommend you see a physician or another specialist dentist.
These disorder is often characterized by different symptoms which are an indication that you have the disorder. For instance, you could be having grating, popping and clicking noises when chewing or moving the mouth. On the other hand, you might have a feeling of pain on the jaw and near your ears. A person could also experience difficulty opening the mouth since the jaw are tight which make it difficult when eating. The other signs of this disorder are such as blocked sensations of the ear, headaches as well as neck and back pain.
In Atlanta GA, the treatment of this disorder begins by visiting a dentist or a GP for diagnosis as well as discuss the ideal treatment options. First, non-surgical treatment options are tried first such as self-physiotherapy treatments and lifestyle changes. However, if the disorder is more severe, the patient may be referred for further treatment options to maxillofacial and oral surgeon.
Lifestyle changes, as well as self-physiotherapy techniques which could help improve the disorder, include resting the joints by avoiding chewing gum and taking soft foods. Again, you can hold a warm or cold funnel for around 20 minutes to the jaw several times daily. You may also massage the muscles around the joints and perform self-relaxation techniques to relieve stress.
Medications like the painkillers may also help relieve pain caused by this disorder. If such medications are not effective, stronger ones may be recommended such as muscle relaxant and the antidepressants. In case the disorder is due to a disease like the arthritis, steroid injections could be used to reduce joint pain and swelling.
However, if the above treatment options do not work effectively, a specialist can recommend surgical treatment. Such a treatment is normally recommended if the problem is the TMJ and not the chewing muscles. Also, only very few people would have total joint replacement.
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