What Is The TMJ?
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. The abbreviation “TMDs” refers to a group of more than 30 disorders, and “TMJ” refers only to the joint itself. If you have pain in your jaw or if you have limited mobility with your jaw, you may have a TMJ disorder. This is a problem with one or both of your temporomandibular joints. To locate the TMJ, you can touch the side of each of your ears and you can feel each joint. These joints connect your jaw to your skull to allow forward and backward movement.
What Are The Symptoms Of TMJ Disorders?
When someone thinks they may have a TMJ disorder, there are some symptoms they should look out for. (It is worth noting that the human jaw can make sound, and without pain, sound from your jaw is not necessarily significant and not an indication you should seek medical attention.) Signs and symptoms that you have a TMJ disorder include:
- Pain or tenderness of your jaw or jaw joints
- Aching pain in and around your ear
- Limited ability to chew or pain while chewing
- Aching facial pain
- Ringing in ears, hearing loss, and dizziness
- Locking of the joint which decreases jaw mobility
- Jaw clicking sound
- Headaches associated with TMD (Usually these headaches include any type of headache combined with pain in your jaw.)
If you have one or a combination of symptoms, you should seek medical attention. Your doctor or a TMJ specialist can diagnose and discuss possible causes and treatments for your condition.
What Are The Causes And Risks Factors For Developing A TMJ Disorder?
The temporomandibular joint acts like a hinge for the jaw. This allows it to have a sliding motion. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with flexible connective tissue and are separated by a small cushion-like disc, which normally keeps the movement smooth. In many cases, the cause of TMJ disorders is not always clear. Painful TMJ disorders may occur under the following circumstances:
- The deterioration or misalignment of a disc. There are several connective tissue diseases that cause problems that may affect the temporomandibular joint.
- The joint’s flexible connective tissue is affected by arthritis. Different types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can damage the joints.
- The joint is injured by a direct hit or other injuries. Constant grinding or clenching of teeth for long periods of time can injure the joints.
What Are My Treatment Options For My TMJ Disorder?
Some TMJ disorders can resolve on their own. For instances of manageable pain, someone can eat soft foods, limit jaw motion, take over-the-counter medication, and perform jaw exercises to strengthen their jaw muscles. For moderate to severe pain, treatment options may include referral to physical therapy, the use of minimally-invasive procedures, and pain management through medication. For headaches associated with TMDs or a TMJ disorder, MVM Health is proud to offer the following treatment options:
- Botox Injections
- Epidural Blood Patch
- Trigeminal Nerve Block
- Trigeminal Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation
Looking for Pain Relief?
If you are living with chronic pain and find that it is affecting your enjoyment of day-to-day life, it may be time to seek treatment and pain management. MVM Health: Pain, Vein, and Wellness services LeHigh Valley, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, and surrounding communities. Reach out to us today to request an appointment. The experts at MVM Health would be glad to offer guidance and a variety of treatment methods for chronic pain. Call 570-445-2200 to request an appointment.
