Do you experience pain in your ears, head, or jaw? Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMD for short, is a common condition that can cause pain in the jaw and face. It’s possible for this ailment to significantly disrupt your daily life and lower your standard of living. Thankfully, there is a wide variety of treatments available for TMD. Discuss your options with orthodontics in Los Gatos.
Explain the condition known as TMJ.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the name for the hinge connecting the jaw to the skull. The jaw joint is responsible for most of the motions of the mouth, including talking, chewing, and yawning. The temporal tendon and surrounding muscles connect the bones of this joint, just as they do in any other joint in the body.
Exactly what does TMD stand for?
There is no single cause for TMD; rather, it is often the result of a combination of factors, including genetics, behaviors like tooth grinding, illness, and injury. Discovering the root of the problem can give you and your dentist more direction when it comes to finding a solution.
Care for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Your dentist will use diagnostic imaging and a comprehensive oral examination to help you develop a treatment plan for TMD. In extreme circumstances, medication, therapy, and surgery are typical treatments for TMD.
Medication Anti-inflammatory medicines are commonly used in the treatment of TMD to lessen the discomfort associated with the condition. Some people find relief from a painful, stiff jaw by taking muscle relaxants.
In difficult situations, steroid injections may be used to assist in strengthening the ailing TMJ muscles and tendons, and Botox injections have shown to be quite useful in recent years in reducing jaw tension and alleviating the discomfort associated with TMD.
Therapeutics
Physical therapy and exercise are often used to treat TMD by helping to stretch and strengthen the jaw muscles. Grinding and clenching, which can worsen the joint, can be avoided with the use of therapeutic equipment such as dental splints or mouth guards. The underlying cause of TMD may be behavioral, like in cases of trauma or addiction, counseling may be helpful.
Corrective Measures
Extreme forms of TMD may need surgical intervention. TMD surgical procedures include:
- Arthrocentesis is a procedure in which tiny needles are inserted into a joint to drain any excess fluid or debris.
- Repairing damaged joints is made easier using arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure that only requires a tiny incision.
- Mandibular condylotomy is an alternative to joint surgery.
