Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: TMJ Symptoms and Treatment

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the part of body that is directly in front of the ear on both sides of the head where the upper jaw and lower jaw join. The TMJ consists of many moving parts, which makes scope for the upper jaw to close on the lower jaw. This joint is a usual sliding "ball and socket" joint, which has a disc in between the ball and the socket. The TMJ is made use of many times a day when we move the jaw, when we bite some thing or chew, talk or yawn. It is one of the frequently used joints in the human body. Whenever the mouth or jaws are used the TMJ is also used.

TMJ disorders

Since the temporomandibular joints are complex and are made of muscles, tendons, and bones, every component adds to the unproblematic operation of the TMJ. When the muscles are relaxed and balanced, the jaw joints open and close smoothly, which is the reason that we are able to talk, chew, or yawn without any kind of pain.

TMJ is the term that covers acute or chronic swelling of the temporomandibular joint that joins the lower jaw to the skull. This disorder and the dysfunction that happens as a result can lead to a lot of pain and impairment. Since the disorder is beyond the demarcation that is between several health-care studies, in particular, dentistry, neurology, physical therapy and psychology, there are a number of different treatment approaches that have been propounded.

Symptoms of TMJ disorder

TMJ disorders can be grouped together to form a set of complex dysfunctions that are associated with the jaw joint. The other disorders apart from the general ones are myofacial pain or dysfunction and Costen's syndrome. As muscles and joints work together, if there is a problem with only one of them it can lead to stiffness, headaches, ear pain, bite problems, clicking sounds, or locked jaws.

The common symptoms of TMJ disorder are as follows:

• Most of the patients with a TMJ disorder go through ear pains but then there are no visible signs of infection. The ear pain is generally in the front or below the ear. , Patients are often treated a number of times for an ear infection, though it can be clearly distinguished from TMJ since there is hearing loss or ear drainage in case of ear infection.
• Most of the patients also grind and clench their tooth, which leads to an increase in the wear on the cartilage lining of the TMJ. They do it since they are unaware that it increases the pain and patients also grind their teeth while sleeping as well. This is the reason that many patients keep chewing gum and also bite their nails.
• There are patients who can hear a constant grinding, crunching, buzzing or popping sounds that can be medically termed as crepitus. These sounds at times can be accompanied by increased pain.
• Some patients with a TMJ disorder also experience dizziness or imbalance something like vertigo.
• Some also report a clicking sound when chewing and a jaw lock.

How to treat TMJ disorder?

There are various ways to treat TMJ disorder, which includes medications, heat, and ice therapy and also sift diet.

• An acrylic appliance is used to reduce or get rid of the grinding and clenching of the teeth. It is usually prescribed for the night but most of the patients use it always. The teeth cover also helps to balance the bite.
• It is suggested to keep the jaws apart as long as possible so that teeth grinding can be avoided. Patients are also asked not to chew gum and eat hard, crunchy and chewy food items.
• The heat and ice therapy is used to reduce the muscle tension and it also works if the TMJ is injured so that pain can be reduced.
• If nothing works then the last resort is surgery wherein ligaments can be tightened, the joints can be restructured and are also replaced, though the last option in case of serious and severe cases only.

There can be many causes of such disorders and there are various ways to treat them as well but then the symptoms should not be overlooked as there is a fair chance of that happening.