Think you have joint disorder? Ask Your Dentist about TMD

TMD. Is it a food? Is it a class? Is it slang for something? Nope, not even close.

What is it?

TMD means temporomandibular joint disorder. It is a problem that stems from the temporomandibular joint.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge. It connects the jawbone to the skull. Each person has one joint on each side of the jaw. This joint allows us to chew, form words, and open our mouths to breathe.

What causes it?

According to experts from Kennesaw dental offices, TMD may occur if a heavy blow or whiplash injures the TMJ.(Kennesaw dental office) Other possible causes may be grinding or clenching of the teeth, dislocation of the soft cushion between the ball and socket, the presence of some type of arthritis in the TMJ, or stress that causes a person to tighten the associated muscles or clench the teeth.

What are the symptoms of TMD?

Someone who has TMD may experience pain or tenderness in the face, jaw, neck, and shoulders, and in or around the ear when jaw movements occur. They may have limited ability to open their mouth very wide or the tendency to “lock” their jaw in the open or closed position. They may also experience swelling on the side of their face, nerve inflammation,migraines, tooth grinding, Eustachian tube dysfunction, and sometimes dislocation of the temporomandibular joint.

These symptoms may also be present in other cases. So one should seek the help of dentists in Kennesaw for proper diagnosis.

What are the treatment options?

Many doctors and dentists will recommend home treatments as a first step for treating TMD. If this doesn’t work, the dentist will recommend custom bite guards to reduce clenching and grinding of teeth at night to reduce stress on the TMJ. They may also ask the patient to take anti-inflammatory medication. These only provide temporary relief though.

For more difficult cases, the dentist might try occlusional equilibration. This procedure aims to balance a person’s bite and put less stress on the jaw joint. They may need work done to reshape their teeth or jaw through braces or other appliances. The dentist can also fit them with a mouth guard that will help them stop clenching their jaw and grinding their teeth at night.

Only in extreme cases should they do a surgery on the jaw or joint. This should be the last resort and done only after getting a second opinion with another surgeon.

There are two main types of surgery for TMD: arthroscopy and open joint surgery.

Arthroscopy is done by first inserting a small instrument with a lens and light in front of the ear. This allows the surgeon to examine the TMJ. The surgeon then removes tissue or adjusts the disk or the condyle. The surgeon makes a second incision to place small instruments.

The major difference between arthroscopy and open joint surgery is the latter doesn’t use a video monitor. They operate on the joint under direct vision. The surgeon suggest this if the problem cannot be corrected with arthroscopy, the TMJ is degenerating, or there are tumors around the TMJ.

If a person suspects they have TMD, they may ask, “Who are the dentists near me?” West Cobb Dentistry has the best staff in Kennesaw, GA. They can schedule an appointment by calling (770) 794-3332.