What Are Temporomandibular Disorders, Its Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment?
What Are Temporomandibular Disorders?
Are you experiencing facial pain or pain while opening or closing your jaws? Does your jaw pop or click when you open your mouth? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may have a temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to a group of conditions that affect the jaw joint and muscles that control side-to-side and up and down jaw movements. A TMD can cause pain especially in the jaw and face area and can make it difficult for you to open and close your mouth. You may experience pain or difficulty with chewing, talking, and even while yawning.
Common Causes of TMD!
There are several different causes of TMD, and the exact cause of a person's TMD may not be known. However, TMD is often associated with stress, teeth grinding (bruxism), and other degenerative joint problems. TMD may also be caused by any high-impact injury especially to your jaw or face, or by arthritis.
Symptoms of TMD!
Symptoms of TMD can include severe pain or swelling in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders; clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint; difficulty opening or closing the mouth; having episodes of sudden pain or discomfort while biting or chewing; or teeth misalignment issues. TMD can also cause headaches, dizziness, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). You may experience symptoms involving either one side, or even both sides of your face.
How to Diagnose TMD?
If you think you may have a TMD, it’s important to see your dentist who will review your entire history and evaluate the severity of your symptoms. They may also perform a complete physical examination. Imaging tests such as x-rays, an MRI or a CT scan may be ordered depending on your symptoms to get a better look at the bones and joints in your jaw. Your dentist may also recommend bite tests or other tests to correctly diagnose TMD.
Treating TMD!
Once a diagnosis is made, the treatment for TMD can vary depending on the cause. Treating TMD can often be difficult, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However in some cases, over-the-counter, or prescription pain medication can help. Physical therapy, bite guards, and splints may also be recommended. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. If you think you may have a TMD, don’t suffer in silence. Talk to your dentist about your condition in order to get the perfect diagnosis and then follow the instructions of your dentist who can outline the best treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms. If your dentist suggests surgery, he may further recommend consulting an oral surgeon or maxillofacial surgery specialist.
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If you think you may have TMD, it is important to see your dentist or a professional health care provider such as those on-board with 1Health Medical Center. This Medical Center is extremely popular for its top class healthcare services, the best facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment to take care of all your medical needs.