Most people refer to the temporomandibular joint as the TMJ. It joins the lower jaw (mandible) and upper jaw, situated at the base of the skull in front of the ear structure (maxilla). The TMJ is distinct in its construction from most other joints in the body. It comprises a rounded mandibular protrusion that rests against a skull indentation and a disc-shaped component consisting of cartilage, a soft bone between the two bones (articular disc). Ligaments from various locations in the head and neck support and control the jaw’s mobility by holding these three components of the TMJ together. These ligaments are related to several muscles, that help move the lower jaw. So TMJ disorder refers to any any disorder in these areas.
What Are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?
Your disease’s severity and the underlying cause will determine how your TMJ difficulties present themselves. For example, jaw and adjacent muscle pain is the most typical symptom of TMJ problems.
Here are some examples of TMJ symptoms: A soreness that one can feel in the neck or face, a restricted range of jaw movement, jaw-related muscular stiffness, Dental problems, including tooth decay, tinnitus (ear ringing), vertigo, migraines, and shift in the jaw that causes the upper and lower teeth do not line up correctly (called malocclusion). Symptoms may appear on one side of the face or both.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
TMJs generally have “multifactorial” causation, meaning several variables typically contribute to the cause. These elements divide into two categories: Issues with the muscles that move the joint and difficulties within the joint itself.
Muscle Issues Might Result from:
The Tension of Jaw Muscles: If you clench your jaw often when you sleep, which is frequent, this could happen. If a person feels stressed or apprehensive during the day, they may clench their jaw.
Excessive Use of the Jaw Muscles: Nail-biting or persistent gum chewing are two examples of this.
Other Diseases: The jaw muscles can occasionally become hyperactive due to other disorders. For instance, some extremely uncommon movement abnormalities (orofacial dystonia) result in severe jaw clenching.
Increased Pain Sensitivity: Although the cause of this is unknown, it might be related to stress or another mechanism that alters pain sensitivity. Because the precise origin of the pain is unknown, some doctors refer to this sort of issue as a pain syndrome.
Joint Issues Might Result from:
Damage to the Cartilage: For instance, wear and tear to the inside of the joint. This can occasionally be brought on by osteoarthritis, a kind of arthritis. Older people are more likely to experience this issue than younger people.
Different Kinds of Arthritis: Joint inflammation is arthritis. Many forms of arthritis exist. For instance, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are both forms of arthritis that can sometimes affect the jaw joint and other body joints.
Injury to the TMJ: TMJ discomfort may result from damage to the TMJ or its cartilage disc.
How Are Temporomandibular Disorders Diagnosed?
Your symptoms and the results of the doctor’s examination of your jaw frequently help diagnosis. No testing is often required if you are healthy and exhibit signs of a TMJ condition. However, you visit a professional for testing and additional treatment if your symptoms don’t go away with straightforward advice and therapy.
If you are suffering from TMJ disorder and live in Richmond Hill, Ontario, contact ORIS Dental Clinics right away and schedule an appointment; So that our skilled dentists examine your jaw and help you relieve the pain!