What is TMJ?
The joints that allow you to open and close your mouth, speak, and chew are also known as your temporomandibular joints. These joints are found on either side of your head and connect your skull to your jaw, so you can have the movements necessary to use your mouth. You may have guessed that these joints are highly complex due to the fact that our jaws can move in many different directions. So, any issues a person may have with these joints are classified as TMJ disorder, or TMJ for short.
Symptoms of TMJ
Some symptoms of TMJ include:
- headaches or earaches
- jaw popping, locking, or clicking
- pain when your mouth is open wide
- tenderness in your jaw muscles
Depending on what has caused your TMJ, you will most likely have different symptoms than another person. If you are unsure you have TMJ, most dentists will check for symptoms or tenderness in your jaw muscles during checkups.
Causes
While TMJ does not have a consistent cause, there are a few common reasons and possibilities a person may experience a TMJ problem, including:
- arthritis
- teeth clenching (usually from stress)
- dislocation or injury
- poor jaw or tooth alignment
Dental Treatments for TMJ
While some may think that dentists can solve any dental issues, it's more common to treat your TMJ issues as part of a system. Therefore, a dentist may seek the opinion of your physician or a specialist dentist to most accurately diagnose the issue.
If a person's TMJ is caused by tooth or jaw alignment problems, some dental treatments may help. For example, a dentist might refer you to an orthodontist to get treatments like braces. In getting braces, the orthodontist will help realign the jaw and your teeth to allow them to close in their proper position. In most cases, this treatment option helps alleviate any TMJ symptoms caused by misalignment.
On the other hand, if a person's TMJ is caused by the grinding or clenching of their teeth, the dentist might recommend the patient wear a custom dental appliance. Most often referred to as a splint or a bite plate, this mouthpiece will prevent your upper teeth from grinding against your lower teeth. Not only will these appliances alleviate any TMJ symptoms, but they will also help prevent any wear on your teeth caused by grinding and can lead to more severe problems.
In addition to the treatments listed above, a dentist may suggest treating TMJ with hot and cold packs, anti-inflammatory medication, muscle-relaxing medication, or even learning techniques to relax the tension in your jaw muscles. In more rare cases, patients may require jaw surgery to correct their TMJ.
If you are experiencing any of the TMJ symptoms listed above and would like to speak to a dental professional, schedule an appointment with Diamond Bar Dental today.
Located in Diamond Bar, CA, Diamond Bar Dental can help you learn everything there is to know about TMJ and the best treatment options for you. Let us help you choose the option that’s best for you and your needs. Call us at 909-860-3111 to schedule an appointment today.