Temporomandiublar Disorders

Temporomandiublar disorders (TMD for short) take place due to issues with the jaw. This can be the jaw itself, the joint of the jaw or nearby facial muscles responsible for moving the jaw and chewing. The temporormandiublar joint is like a hinge which links your lower jaw to the temporal bone in your skull. These joints have great flexiblity which allows your jaw to move efficiently up and down and side to side which is vital for talking, chewing and yawning. The movement and position of your jaw is controlled by muscles which are attached to the jaw joint.

The causes of TMD

Although the exact cause of TMD is unclear, research has shown that the symptoms occur due to problems found in the jaw muscles or actually within parts of the joint. TMD can often be triggered by trauma or damage to the muscles of the jaw or parts of the joint such as those occuring in cases of whiplash or a heavy blow to the area. Bruxism, which is the grinding or clenching of teeth puts a great deal of pressure on your temporomandibular joint and can often trigger TMD. If you have rehumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis in your temporomandibular joint thn this can also trigger TMD. Stress has also been found as a factor involved in TMD as it can often lead sufferers to tighten their facial or jaw muscles.

Symptoms

The severity of TMD can vary, with some patients experiencing severe pain which may last for several years or be relatively temporary. There's a higher prevalance of TMD in women than in men and it occurs frequently in people aged 20 to 40. There's several common symptoms of TMD the most typical being a tenderness or pain in the jaw or nearby muscles which is sometimes accompanied by a tired feeling in your face. You may experience several problems with your jaw such as being unable to open it widely, clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth and jaws which stick in certain positions. Problems with chewing are also common in TMD sufferers and in some cases patients develop an uncomfortable bite. Swelling may also occur on the side of your face and you may also experience headaches, toothaches, hearing problems and dizziness.

Treatment

There's a range of treatments for TMD from home care remedies to invasive surgical options. It's commonly agreed that treatment of TMD should start off with the most non-invasive therapies, saving surgery as a last resort.Many patients start by applying a cold pack to their faces and temples for about 10 minutes at a time. It's also common to do stretching exercises and apply a warm towl to the face for a few minutes a couple of times every day. It's also commonly advised to keep a good posture and not make any extreme movements with your neck or jaw muscles. Most dentists agree you should try to stick to soft foods and avoid hard foods which require a lot of work from your jaw muscles. There's several medications available to help control swelling and relieve pain in the muscles.

Ibuprofen and aspirin are more than enough for some patients, but your dentist may prescribe stronger medications if your symptoms are severe. Muscle relaxants are often used to help those who clench or grind their teeth and can also be used to relax jaw muscles which have become tight. Patients who grind their teeth can often use a night guard or splint to prevent grinding and lessen the effects of clenching the teeth. If your TMD is due to a bite problem then there's a number of corrective dental procedures available such as crowns, bridges or braces.

The surgical options for treating TMD fall into three types; arthocentesis, arthoscopy and open joint surgery. Which one is right for you depends on the type of TMD problem you have.

Arthorocentesis - This minor surgery is typically performed under general anesthetic, meaning you'll be conscious throughout. It's commonly recommended for cases where the movement of the jaw is restricted. The surgery itself is done by placing needles into the target joint and washing it out with a combination of sterile fluids. In some cases a blunt instrument may be used to remove tissue to dislodge a stuck disc.

Arthroscopy - This treatment is also usually done using general anaesthetic. During surgery, a tiny incision is made in front of your ear and a very small camera inserted which allows your surgeon to see the temporormandibular joint and nearby area. Depending on what caused your TMD, your surgeon may opt to remove affected tissue or adjust the disc.

Open-joint surgery - As opposed to arthoscopy, in open-joint surgery the entire area near the TMJ is exposed to enable better access for your surgeon. There's several different types of open-joint surgery and this kind of treatment is usually reccomended if you're experiencing tumours in or near your temporormandibular join, severe scarring is occuring on the bone in your joint or a deterioration in the bony structures which make up your jaw joint.