Toronto Oral Surgeon Answers 10 FAQ About TMJ Disorder

You might relax, then you start feeling dizzy, nauseous, have a headache, or can’t move your jaw correctly. You might not be aware of what is causing it. Well, it can be an imbalance in your temporomandibular joint. If you develop a TMJ disorder, you wonder which provider to contact for treatment. Visit us at Toronto East Maxillofacial Surgery for the best TMJ treatment services. Learn more about TMJ disorder in the answered questions below.

What is Temporomandibular Joint?

The joint connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone at each side of the head. It is felt in front of the ears when one opens their mouth. The joints are flexible; hence you can move your jaw smoothly from side to side and up and down without any difficulties. It enables us to chew, talk and even yawn.

Its movement is controlled by the muscles attached to it. There are rounded ends of the lower jaw that glides along with the joining socket when we open our mouths. When the mouth is closed, the round ends to get back to its original position.

What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

This is given to several symptoms that occur when your jaw joints and the associated muscles get disrupted.

Why Does Teeth Clenching and Grinding cause TMJ Disorder?

Teeth clenching applies pressure on the tissues, muscles, and supporting structures of your jaw that cause pain and joint dysfunction.

What does TMJ Disorder feel like?

It is a pain in the jaw and compromised movement of the jaw joint and the muscles surrounding it. The disorder falls into these categories:

• Internal derangement of the joint: The disc is displaced, and the jaw is dislocated. Also, the condyle is injured
• Myofascial pain: you feel pain and discomfort in the muscles that control the function of the jaw
• Degenerative joint disease: The jaw joint is affected by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

What are the Causes of TMJ Disorder?

You can have painful TMJ disorders when:

• You experience a direct trauma in the face. The jaw often breaks along the condyles.
• The disc between the ball and the sockets joint dislocates
• You have an improper bite
• Dealing with stress
• Grinding and clenching the teeth

What are some Symptoms of a TMJ Disorder?

If you experience some of the signs and symptoms listed below, you might suffer from TMJ disorder. They include:

• Granting sensation and clicking sound accompanied with pain and limitation of jaw movement when you open your mouth
• Feeling pain in the temporomandibular joints
• When you experience pain or tenderness in your jaw
• Having difficulty and pain while chewing
• Aching pain around the ear
• Joints are locked, leading to problems when opening and closing your mouth
• Experiencing facial pain

How is TMD Diagnosed?

Your dentist will do a comprehensive review of your medical history. They’ll also perform physical exams and medical imaging if necessary.

How is TMD Treated?

Are you seeking treatment services from our oral surgeon in Toronto? They’ll recommend a variety of treatment options. These are:

Medications

These medications, along with other non-surgical treatments, help relieve the pain caused by TMJ disorders:

• Muscle relaxants. You use these kinds of drugs for a few days or weeks. They help relieve the pain caused by muscle spasms.
• Tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs are used for depression and in low doses. Used for sleeplessness and clenching control.

Therapies

This is a non-drug way of treatment. It includes:

• Counseling: Going for counseling help, you avoid some behaviors and factors that may provoke your pain. You avoid leaning on your chin, biting your fingernails, and grinding your teeth.
• Physical Therapy: You should exercise to strengthen and stretch the jaw muscles. It also includes ice, moist heat, and ultrasound treatments.

Will I Need Surgery for My TMD?

When other treatment methods are not helping, our oral surgeon for TMJ will suggest this surgery:

• Open-joint surgery: If the jaw pain doesn’t fade under other treatments, it might be caused by a structural problem in the joint. Your dentist will recommend an open-joint surgery to replace the joint. However, the surgery consists of many more risks than other procedures. You should consider it very keenly after inquiring about its advantages and disadvantages.

Does TMJ Disorder Last Forever?

Many people who suffer from TMJ dysfunction and pain experiences life-long symptoms. However, with the help of a dentist’s treatment plan, symptoms can be reduced.