Temperomandibular joint disorders

Symptoms of TMJ disorders:

• Pain or tenderness of jaw.
• Aching pain in and around the ear.
• Difficulty chewing or discomfort while chewing.
• Aching facial pain.
• Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth.
• Headache.
• Uncomfortable bite.
• An uneven bite due to one or more teeth making premature contact.
  

Causes:

TMJ disorders can occur if:

• The disk erodes or moves out of its proper alignment.
• The joint’s cartilage is damaged by arthritis.
• Joint is damaged by a blow or other impact.
• The muscles that stabilize the joint become fatigued from overwork, which can happen if habitually clench or grind the teeth.
  

Risk factors:

It most commonly occurs in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Other factors associated with TNJ disorder include:

• Jaw clenching.
• Teeth grinding (Bruxism).
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Facial or jaw trauma.
• Congenital deformity of the facial bones.
  

Tests and diagnosis:

• X-rays.
• CT scan of TM Joint.
• MRI.
  

Treatment:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.
• Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline or nortriptyline.
• Muscle relaxants.
• Corticosteroid drugs.
• Botulism toxin.
  

Therapies like:  Bite guard and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Surgeries like:

• Corrective dental treatment: the bite can be improved by balancing the biting surfaces of teeth, replacing missing teeth or replacing needed fillings or crowns.
• Arthrocentesis: In this procedure the needle is inserted to the joint so that fluid can be irrigated through the joint to remove debris and inflammatory byproducts.
• Surgery: Surgery to remove the disk between the mandible and temporal bone.
  

Prevention:

• Maintain good jaw posture: This makes the jaw muscles relaxed with teeth slightly apart and the tongue lightly touching the roof of the mouth.
• Avoid overuse of jaw muscles: Eating soft foods, cutting food into small pieces, avoiding sticky or chewy food.
• Stretching and massage.
• Heat or cold: Applying warm, moist heat or ice to the side of the face may help to relax the muscles.