What is it?
The temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) describes several problems that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or mandibular joint and the facial muscles that help you to chew. If you place your finger in front of your ear and open your mouth, the motion you feel is your TMJ. This is a small ball joint known as a ball, called a mole; this nest, called a glenoid fossa; and a small fiber tray that acts as a shock absorber between the ball and the socket.
The study estimated that 20% to 30% of people will experience the symptoms of TMD. Despite some differences, it seems that more women than men develop TMDs. The reason is not yet clear, but there is a theory that the collagen that binds the ball plate between the ball and socket is structurally different in women. This may lead to more women having revealed disks, which may lead to TMD. In addition, some studies have shown that hormones such as estrogen may affect the way women perceive pain.
TMD is a general term and not a specific condition. If your dentist tells you that you have TMD, it's like your doctor told you that you have knee problems. Usually people will say they "have TMJ". TMJ is the name of the joint, not the disease or condition.
The reasons for TMD are not yet fully understood but may include:
For jaw trauma, whether it is a direct blow to the joint or prolonged teething or bruxism (brassy disease)
Causes muscle spasm tension or stress
Bad teeth alignment (occlusion)
Arthritis of temporomandibular joint
Temporomandibular joint tumor
In addition, some common medical problems such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis can affect the temporomandibular joint.
symptom
Symptoms of TMD include:
Pain or tenderness in front of the ear, especially when you chew, talk or open your mouth
Occasionally feel that the chin is opened or closed
Facial muscle spasms make it difficult to open your mouth or make it feel like your teeth are not fulfilled
When you open or close the mouth, click to pop or burst the sound in the chin or harsh feeling
Tend to spread from the front of the ear to other parts of the head or neck
diagnosis
An important part of the diagnosis is to review the history of your problems: how long have you had symptoms and whether they occurred at certain times (for example, only during eating or only during the night).
Your dentist will look at the way your chin moves, checking your teeth for signs of habit, such as clenching or bruxism (brachialgia), exploring the temporomandibular joints and the muscles of the chin and neck to look for signs of softness. He or she may listen to a joint voice with a stethoscope. These joint voices may suggest a disorder involving a disc or bone.
Your dentist will decide whether your problem is a muscle disease or a bone or intervertebral disc that involves the joint. In general, conventional X-rays or panoramic X-rays can rule out serious conditions within the joint.
If more detailed joint views are required, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans can be used.
This check will also be used to check for other conditions that may cause your symptoms, including arthritis, sinus infections, toothache, earache, and nervous system problems. All these conditions have symptoms similar to TMD.
When your dentist or doctor determines that you have a TMD, he or she will be able to tell you what type of TMD you have and how to treat it.
Expected duration
For example, when TMD is due to mandibular trauma, TMDs can only last for several weeks. Other types of TMD, such as those caused by arthritis or bruxism, may last for months or even years depending on their response to treatment.
prevention
The TMD caused by bruxism can be prevented by using a protective
that is a plastic molding for reducing the pressure in the jaw. If you clench your teeth due to stress or anxiety, working with a psychologist or receiving relaxation or biofeedback may help prevent TMJ problems.
treatment
The treatment of TMD depends on its cause.
Most TMDs are associated with muscle soreness that can be periodically paralyzed. This type of TMD usually responds to conservative treatment, including any of the following:
Soft Diet - Avoid hard or crisp foods. Cut the food into small pieces and chew it with the posterior teeth rather than using the incisors to bite into large items such as thick sandwiches.
Physical therapy can include calories, massage and ultrasound
Oral plastic splint (also known as night care), similar to mouthguards, for controlling tooth clenching and grinding
Help guard teeth from clenching and grinding teeth
Decompression therapy including biofeedback
Over-the-counter painkillers
Prescription anti-inflammatory drugs
Prescription muscle relaxation medicine
Occlusal adjustments, which may include slightly changing the teeth to make them fit properly
Replace missing teeth
Orthodontic treatment
If conservative measures cannot provide relief by these
, surgery can be considered. In general, surgery can be performed by arthroscopy through two to three very short incisions. Insert a tiny camera through one incision and insert the surgical instrument through one or two other incisions. The inflamed tissue was removed and the joint was flushed.
If the jaw is closed due to dislocation or scar in the joint, open surgery may be required. The jaws can be repositioned and the obstructed disk can be repositioned or removed.
