TMJ disorder is a condition that
affects the temporomandibular joint – the sliding joint that links the skull to
the jaw. The symptoms that indicate TMJ disorder include pain in the muscles
and the joints of the jaw, pain in and around the ears, pain or difficulty
experienced while chewing, extended facial pain as well as a clicking or
grinding sound heard by the patient while chewing or even the complete locking
of the jaw, resulting in the inability to open and to close the mouth.
The causes of TMJ disorder usually
include the erosion of the shock-absorbing disks that separate the small bones
in the jaw joint, the damage of the jaw’s cartilage by teeth grinding, by
arthritis or by impact, such as a severe blow. Arthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis represent serious risk factors, but in many cases, the condition
affects people who are not at risk of illnesses that involve the inflammation
of the body’s joints and bones.
In many cases, TMJ disorder
disappears on its own, requiring a Centennial dental care doctor’s visit
only if the pain or the tenderness in the jaw persists or if the symptoms include
a jaw lock as well. The treatment process usually starts with medical tests,
such as a head X-ray or an MRI or CT scan, then the doctor will decide whether
the treatment with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, with hot and cold
packs and with a diet consisting of soft foods is sufficient or surgery is
necessary.
