TMJ dysfunction occurs when the muscles and ligaments around your jaw joints become inflamed or irritated. The condition may be acute or chronic, and the resulting pain may be mild or severe.

What causes the temporomandibular joint disorder?

TMJ disorder can be caused by injury to the jaw joints or surrounding tissues. Other TMD causes include:

• Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching).
• Dislocation of the disc between the ball and socket joint.
• Arthritis in the TMJ.
• Stress.
• Acute trauma.
• An improper bite.

What are common TMJ symptoms?

TMJ dysfunction is most common in those 20 to 40 years of age and is more common in women than in men. Some of the most common TMJ symptoms include:

• Jaw pain.
• Headaches.
• Earaches.
• Pain in the neck or shoulders.
• Difficulty opening your mouth wide.
• Jaws that "lock" in the open- or closed-mouth position.
• A tired feeling in your face.
• Difficulty chewing.
• Tinnitus, Or ringing in your ears.
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together.
• Swelling on the side of your face.
• Tooth pain.

How is TMJ dysfunction diagnosed?

In most cases, TMJ dysfunction is diagnosed during a dental checkup. Your healthcare provider will:

• Observe the range of motion when you open and close your mouth.
• Press on your face and jaw to determine areas of discomfort.
• Feel around your jaw joints as you open and close your mouth.
• In addition, Radiographs (x-rays) may be taken to view the jaw joints and determine the extent of damage. These may include:
  • Panoramic x-rays. This type of dental x-ray shows a broad overview of your teeth, jawbone and TMJs.
  • CBCT scans. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans capture thousands of images of your teeth, jaws, facial bones, and sinuses. These pictures are then stitched together for a detailed 3-D image. Dental CT scans give your healthcare provider a more detailed view of your facial anatomy.
  • MRI scans. In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to view soft tissues in and around the jaw joints. These images show the position of the disk, inflammation, and possible jaw locking. This can tell your healthcare provider if the TMJ disc is functioning properly and in good condition.

What treatments are available for TMJ disorders?

Treatments range from simple self-care practices and conservative treatments to injections and open surgery.

Treatments offered by Bansal Dental Care

• Splint or night guard. Splints and night guards are mouthpieces that fit over your upper or lower teeth. When worn, the mouthpieces provide stable tooth contacts during closure. When worn, mouth guards also correct your bite by placing your jaw in a more favorable position. The main difference between splints and night guards is that night guards are only worn at night and splints are worn full time.
• Corrective dental treatments. These treatments include replacing missing teeth or using crowns, bridges or braces to bring your bite into proper balance and alignment.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This therapy uses low-level electrical currents to reduce pain by relaxing your jaw joint and facial muscles. Tens can be completed at Bansal Dental Care
• Laser biostimulation - Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has evolved as an efficient non-invasive therapeutic modality in TMDs. LLLT may act via numerous mechanisms of action, including facilitating the release of endogenous opioids, augmenting tissue repair and cellular respiration, increasing vasodilatation and pain threshold, and decreasing inflammation.