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Holistic Treatments That Guarantee Relief From TMJ Dysfunction
Pain and tenderness in your jaw can be frustrating and cause alarm. You should inform your provider if you have locking jaws that make it difficult to talk or eat. Your Carthay TMJ treatment experts at Smile Perfector Dental Group have years of experience diagnosing and treating TMJ dysfunction. Do not allow TMJ dysfunction to make your life miserable when simple treatments offer relief.
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint refers to the joint attaching your jawbones to your skull. This joint facilitates the opening and closing of your mouth without any difficulty. It also enables you to move your jaw when chewing. Your TMJ comprises bones ao your lower and upper jaw, cartilage, and a disc that provides cushioning to the joint to prevent friction. Your temporomandibular joint is vulnerable to diseases and dysfunctions that may cause symptoms such as:
- Cracking, clicking, or popping sound in your jaw when opening or closing your mouth
- Throbbing pain around or inside your ear.
- Tenderness
- Joint locking, preventing you from opening or closing your mouth
- Throbbing facial pain
- Tenderness in your jaws
- Swelling on the side of your side
- Toothache
- Tiredness in your face
- Headaches
If not treated promptly, the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction worsen over time, making it difficult to eat. Dr. Shouhed has years of experience in treating TMJ, so he can help you determine the cause of your dysfunction and recommend appropriate therapies that guarantee long-term relief.
What are the causative factors of TMJ dysfunction?
The TMJ dysfunction occurs due to the following:
- Teeth clenching/grinding
- Acute trauma to your face
- An improper bite
- Arthritis in your TMJ
- Stress
- Dislocation of the disc connecting the ball and socket joint
- Connective tissue disorders
On your appointment day, Dr. Shouhed conducts a comprehensive physical exam and discusses your symptoms to understand your TMJ dysfunction better.
How can your doctor diagnose TMJ dysfunction?
During your medical exam, Dr. Shouhed may apply pressure on the affected jaw to check swelling or tenderness. He may also request you to bite down on a dental probe to determine your mouth’s range of motion and assess your joint strength. He may also feel the inside of your jaw and listen to any grinding, popping, or clicking sounds. He may conduct X-rays to rule out arthritis as the underlying cause of your TMJ dysfunction. In severe cases, Dr. Shouhed and his team may take CT scans to determine if TMJ disc displacement is the root cause of your discomfort. He analyses your results and discusses your diagnosis before recommending several treatment options.
How to treat TMJ dysfunction
Your treatment plan may depend on how severe your health condition is and the underlying cause of the dysfunction. Dr. Shouhed may recommend some techniques to help you avoid jaw clenching and soothing stretches to improve movement in your jaw. He may also recommend protective night guards to prevent jaw clenching while you’re asleep. Botox is another treatment option for TMJ dysfunction.
If you experience jaw pain accompanied by a popping sound, call the Smile Perfector Dental Group office or book an appointment on the website for a consultation.
Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.
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