The temporomandibular joint or TMJ is the joint that connects the jaw bone (mandible) to the skull. It functions as a sliding hinge to facilitate the movements required during feeding and talking. There are a number of TMJ disorders that may make you need the services of a dentist. They include pain of the jaw, discomfort while chewing, facial pain, and a locked jaw among others. There are a number of things on TMJ treatment Atlanta patients need to know.
The cause is usually not clearly established in a majority of the cases. In many of them, however, there are just a few possibilities. The shock absorbing disk found within the joint may cause wear and tear leading to pain during movement. The joint may also be displaced from its usual position and cause injury to other structures leading to pain. The other possibilities include cartilage damage by osteoarthritis and trauma.
Most of the cases that are seen in medical and dental clinics affect women in the 20 to 40 year age bracket but the conditions may be seen at any age. When one visits their primary doctor or dentist, a history focusing on the onset and duration of symptoms, similar complaints in the past and the presence or absence of psychological stress is taken. A physical exam will be conducted followed by radiological imaging studies of the joint.
The treatments that are used in managing this group of conditions are divided into two large categories: surgical and non-surgical options. Drugs are perhaps the most important non-surgical option. Those that are used here include analgesics, antidepressants, muscle relaxants and sedatives. Over the counter analgesic agents are usually effective for pain control but stronger drugs (such as opioids) may be needed in a few cases.
Non-pharmacological therapies may be used alone or alongside the drugs. Bite guards or oral splints are quite effective in persons with constant jaw pain. The mechanism through which they work is largely obscure. Physical therapies are another important category of non-pharmacological therapies. They include stretching, massage, and heat and cold therapies. Counseling is needed in cases of anxiety disorders.
Invasive procedures and surgery should be considered if the non-conservative options fail to yield positive results. One of the easiest invasive interventions undertaken is referred to as arthrocentesis. Here, needles are inserted into the affected joint to aspirate debris and inflammatory products. Surgical operations are the preferred mode of intervention if an anatomical defect of joint components is identified.
For mild cases or those that are recurrent, some self-help remedies will help reduce the number of episodes or the severity of symptoms. One of the measures that can be undertaken is the avoidance of tension related habits. Such include frequent teeth clenching, teeth grinding and chewing of gum and pencils. Making the diet softer reduces the work done by the jaw which in turn reduces the probability of suffering from these problems.
There are several complementary medicine options that can be used for this problem. These are mainly used to reduce the pain that is a characteristic of many TMJ disorders. Acupuncture is one of the most commonly used options. Here, fine needles are inserted in specific parts of the body where the life force known as qi passes. Controlled breathing is also widely used. This option works be relaxing the muscles around the joint.
The cause is usually not clearly established in a majority of the cases. In many of them, however, there are just a few possibilities. The shock absorbing disk found within the joint may cause wear and tear leading to pain during movement. The joint may also be displaced from its usual position and cause injury to other structures leading to pain. The other possibilities include cartilage damage by osteoarthritis and trauma.
Most of the cases that are seen in medical and dental clinics affect women in the 20 to 40 year age bracket but the conditions may be seen at any age. When one visits their primary doctor or dentist, a history focusing on the onset and duration of symptoms, similar complaints in the past and the presence or absence of psychological stress is taken. A physical exam will be conducted followed by radiological imaging studies of the joint.
The treatments that are used in managing this group of conditions are divided into two large categories: surgical and non-surgical options. Drugs are perhaps the most important non-surgical option. Those that are used here include analgesics, antidepressants, muscle relaxants and sedatives. Over the counter analgesic agents are usually effective for pain control but stronger drugs (such as opioids) may be needed in a few cases.
Non-pharmacological therapies may be used alone or alongside the drugs. Bite guards or oral splints are quite effective in persons with constant jaw pain. The mechanism through which they work is largely obscure. Physical therapies are another important category of non-pharmacological therapies. They include stretching, massage, and heat and cold therapies. Counseling is needed in cases of anxiety disorders.
Invasive procedures and surgery should be considered if the non-conservative options fail to yield positive results. One of the easiest invasive interventions undertaken is referred to as arthrocentesis. Here, needles are inserted into the affected joint to aspirate debris and inflammatory products. Surgical operations are the preferred mode of intervention if an anatomical defect of joint components is identified.
For mild cases or those that are recurrent, some self-help remedies will help reduce the number of episodes or the severity of symptoms. One of the measures that can be undertaken is the avoidance of tension related habits. Such include frequent teeth clenching, teeth grinding and chewing of gum and pencils. Making the diet softer reduces the work done by the jaw which in turn reduces the probability of suffering from these problems.
There are several complementary medicine options that can be used for this problem. These are mainly used to reduce the pain that is a characteristic of many TMJ disorders. Acupuncture is one of the most commonly used options. Here, fine needles are inserted in specific parts of the body where the life force known as qi passes. Controlled breathing is also widely used. This option works be relaxing the muscles around the joint.
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