The temporomandibular joint ( TMJ ) is the part of body that’s straight in front of the ear on either side of the head where the higher jaw and lower jaw join. The TMJ consists of many moving parts, which makes scope for the higher jaw to shut on the lower jaw. This joint is a common sliding “ball and socket” joint, that has a disk between the ball and the socket. The TMJ is made use of many times per day when we move the jaw, when we bite something or chew, talk or yawn. It is one of the frequently used joints in the human body. Whenever the mouth or jaws are employed the TMJ is also used.
Symptoms of TMJ disorder
The common manifestations of TMJ disorder are:
The majority of the patients with a TMJ disorder go through ear pains but then there are no visible signals of infection. The ear discomfort is often in the front or below the ear. Patients are often treated several times for an ear infection, though it can be clearly distinguished from TMJ as there is hearing impairment or ear drainage in the event of ear infection.
Almost all of the patients also grind and clench their tooth, which leads to an increase in the wear on the cartilage liner of the TMJ. They do it since they are unaware that it increases the discomfort and patients also grind their teeth while sleeping as well . This is the fact that many patients keep dental gum and also bite their nails.
There are patients who can hear a repeated grinding, crunching, buzzing or popping sounds that can be medically named as crepitus. These sounds at times can be accompanied by increased discomfort.
How to treat TMJ disorder?
There are various paths to treat TMJ disorder, which includes medicines, heat, and ice therapy and also sieve diet.
An acrylic appliance is used to reduce or get rid of the grinding and clenching of the teeth. It is mostly prescribed for the night but almost all of the patients use it mostly. The teeth cover also helps to balance the bite.
It is advised to keep the jaws apart as long as possible so that teeth grinding can be avoided. Patients are also asked not to chew gum and eat hard, crunchy and chewy food items.
The heat and ice treatment is used to scale back the muscle stress and it also works if the TMJ is hurt so that discomfort can be reduced.
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