Jaw Pain Treatment

    TMJ / TMD Treatment for Jaw Pain

    Offering treatment to address Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), which can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.

    There are a variety of treatments for temporomandibular disorders.

    The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where your jawbone meets your skull on either side of your head, functioning as a sliding hinge that allows you to open and close your mouth. TMD causes pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles controlling jaw movement. For some patients, it can become severely debilitating and causes chronic facial pain; however, there are various ways that your dentist can correct temporomandibular joint dysfunction and relieve pain.

     

    What is TMD?

    Temporomandibular disorders are disorders of the temporomandibular joints and connected soft tissues. The TMJs are among the most complex joints in the body. These joints, along with several muscles, ligaments, and nerves, allow the mandible (lower jaw) to move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. Any problem that prevents this complex system from working in harmony can result in temporomandibular disorder.

    Inflammation and pain in temporomandibular joints can result in a restricted ability to move your jaw, locked jaw, toothaches, cracked teeth, generalized cold sensitivity, headaches, neck aches, facial swelling, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

    TMJ pain is temporary. However, sometimes TMJ lasts for many years. One or both sides of the face could be affected. Women more likely have TMJ than men. Those between the ages of 20 and 40 most suffer from this disorder.

    TMJ / TMD Causes

    • Jaw joint pain can result from
    • Clenching or grinding the teeth
    • Clenching the jaw
    • Misaligned jaws or teeth
    • Faulty cap/ bridge work
    • Stress
    • Poor posture
    • Arthritis
    • Injury
    • Genetic predispositions

    Common symptoms of TMD include

    • Pain or tenderness in your face, jaw muscles, neck or shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew or open your mouth.
    • Limited movement of your jaws when you try to open your mouth wide.
    • Jaws that lock while trying to open your mouth wide or while trying to shut it.
    • Clicking, popping, or grating sensations in your jaw joint. These may or may not be painful.
    • Trouble chewing, or a sudden uncomfortable bite, as if your upper and lower teeth aren’t fitting together properly.
    • Pain in or around the ears.
    • Swelling on the side of your face.
    • A tired feeling on your face.
    • Generalized tooth pain or sensitivity.
    • Facial pain

     

    Treatment for TMJ / TMD

    If your doctor suspects that you’re being impacted by TMD, they’ll perform a thorough physical examination to evaluate your jaw and related pain. They may also take diagnostic images to aid their assessment.

    Diagnostic images may include x-rays to view your jaws, temporomandibular joints, and teeth, to rule out other problems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can show if the TMJ disc is in the proper position as your jaw moves. A computer tomography (CT) scan will show the bony detail of the joint.

    Nonsurgical treatments that can be provided by your dentist or other medical professionals, either separately or in conjunction, include:

    • Medication. Muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories — including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)— can reduce the pain of TMD.
    • Physical therapy, massage, stress-reduction therapy, and biofeedback. Any or all of these treatments may help patients with TMD.
    • A splint or mouthguard. Your dentist may fit you with one of these devices to help minimize teeth grinding. They prevent upper and lower teeth from touching and can be worn at whatever times are recommended — day, night, or both.
    • Dental work. Your dentist can replace missing teeth, or use crowns, bridges, braces, or aligners to correct a bite problem.
    • Botox therapy. It doesn’t treat the source of temporomandibular disorders, but botox for jaw pain is temporarily used to ease the suffering of those with severe TMD, while permanent treatments are pursued.

    Some of the TMD patients might be recommended to go see an orthodontist just to make sure their teeth, their muscles, and the joint are operating at their optimum capacity. Also, some TMD patients with specific causative factors could be recommended to an oral surgeon for additional treatment and care.

    TMJ disorder can significantly interrupt the lives of those that suffer from it. Continuous headaches, jaw and neck pain, and teeth grinding can take an increasingly tolling effect on an individual’s health. Sleep is often interfered with by tooth grinding and jaw clenching, which can result in conditions such as sleep apnoea and insomnia in the long run. On-going sleep disturbance and chronic pain can trigger the development of depression, anxiety, and other medical conditions.

    It is highly recommended that patients with TMD do not let it go untreated.

     

     

     

    The treatment depends upon the severity and cause, and it can include the following:

    – Self-care practices: Applying ice packs, eating soft foods, avoiding extreme jaw movements

    – Medications: Pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants

    – Therapeutic interventions: Physical therapy, counselling on stress management, dental splints or mouthguards

    – Surgical treatments: Surgical interventions may be required for extreme cases

     

     Can TMD Be Prevented?

    Even though it is impossible to completely avoid TMD, reducing the incidence of stress, avoiding forced movements of the jaw, and controlling teeth grinding or clenching can be useful in preventing TMD.

     

     How Long Does TMD Last?

    TMD duration varies, with temporary symptoms that resolve following self-care or nonsurgical treatments. Others have chronic symptoms which necessitate continuous management.

     

    Are Lifestyle Changes Important in Managing TMD?

    Yes. Lifestyle modifications can make an important difference:

    – Stress management. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, or counselling are helpful in lowering stress that brings about jaw tension.

    – Diet modifications: A soft diet is one that reduces chewing of food. Such diets limit chewy and hard foods to alleviate the jaw muscles’ strain.

    – Good posture: It ensures less tension in the neck muscles as well as on the jaw.

     

    I hope that helps you better understand TMD and its management. Feel free to ask for further questions or any more information you need.

    Digital Smile Design