Temporomandibular joint (Temporomandibular joint /TMJ) It acts like a hinge and connects the jawbone (Jawbone) to the skull (Skull) There is one joint on each side of the jaw. Disorders TMJ One type temporomandibular disorder disorder / TMD) (Temporomandibular is a condition that can cause pain in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. Determining the exact cause of the disorder TMJ is often difficult. Pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as genetics, arthritis (Arthritis) or jaw injury. Some people with jaw pain tend to clench or grind their teeth (bruxismBruxism /), although many people habitually clench or grind their teeth and never develop disorders TMJ .. In most cases, pain and discomfort associated with disorders TMJ is temporary and can be relieved with self-care or nonsurgical treatments. Surgery is usually a last resort after other treatments have failed, but some people with disorders TMJ may benefit from surgery..
1- Causes and risk factors
The temporomandibular joint combines hinge-like movement with sliding movements. The parts of the bones that interact at the joint are covered with cartilage and separated by a small shock-absorbing disc, which normally keeps movement smooth.. Painful disorders TMJ occur if:
- the disc wears down or moves out of its proper alignment
- the joint cartilage is damaged by arthritis
- the joint is injured by trauma
However, in many cases, the cause of disorders TMJ is unknown.. Factors that may increase the risk of developing disorders TMJ include::
- Various types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis(Rheumatoid arthritis) and osteoarthritis (Osteoarthritis)
- Jaw injury
- Long-term (chronic) teeth grinding or clenching
- Some connective tissue diseases (Connective tissue diseases) that cause problems that may affect the temporomandibular joint
2- Symptoms
- Signs and symptoms of disorders TMJ may include the following::
- Pain or tenderness (Tenderness) Jaw
- Pain in one or both temporomandibular joints
- Pain in and around the ear
- Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
- Facial pain
- A locked joint that makes it difficult to open or close the mouth
- Disorders TMJ can also cause clicking sounds when opening the mouth or chewing.
3- Diagnosis
A doctor or dentist will discuss the symptoms and examine the jaw. They will also probably:
- listen for sounds in the jaw as the mouth opens and closes
- check the jaw's range of motion
- press on areas around the jaw to identify sites of pain or discomfort
If the doctor or dentist suspects a problem, they may recommend the following:
- Dental X-ray to examine the teeth and jaw
- CT scan to provide detailed images of the bones involved in the joint
- MRI To reveal problems with the joint disc or the surrounding soft tissue
- Arthroscopy (Arthroscopy) TMJSometimes, in diagnosing the disorder TMJ is used.
4- Treatment and self-care approaches
In some cases, symptoms of the disorders TMJ may go away without treatment. If symptoms persist, your doctor may recommend various treatment options, often more than one of which should be used at the same time.
- Medications
Along with other nonsurgical treatments, medication options can help relieve pain associated with the disorders TMJ help:
Along with other nonsurgical treatments, medication options can help relieve pain associated with the disorders TMJ help:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Tricyclic antidepressants.
- Muscle relaxants (Muscle relaxants).
-Therapies
Nondrug treatments for the disorders TMJ include:
Nondrug treatments for the disorders TMJ include:
- Splints (Splints) Mouth or mouth guards (occlusal appliancesOcclusal appliances /).
- Physiotherapy.
- Counseling.
-Surgery and other procedures
- Arthrocentesis (Arthrocentesis)
- Injection
- Arthroscopy TMJ
- Modified (Condylotomy) condylotomy
- Open-joint surgery (Open-joint surgery)
-Some self-care approaches
- Avoiding overuse of the jaw muscles
- Stretching and massage.
- Heat or cold compresses.
- Eating soft foods
