TMJ & TMD Treatment in San Jose
Changing lifestyle has caused a new array of diseases observed in people. One of such is TMJ. Associated with lockjaw and unusual sounds, the patients tend to suffer from excessive pain. If not treated at the right stage, it can turn out to be the cause of another set of problems.
What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. This disorder relates to the person’s jaw joint and is also known as TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. People who suffer from TMJ complain of clicking or popping sounds from their jaw joints. They also complain of severe headaches or migraines. It is essential to get this disorder treated; otherwise, it can lead to several problems including severe headaches, pain in the jaw joint, disability in hearing, pain in shoulder, neck, arms, and back, numbness and a poor body posture. TMD can also cause damage to your teeth in the form of wear or fractures. The gum tissues can also be affected in the form of recession and bone loss. The patient might also suffer from severe pain in their jaw joints. They can observe noises, locking and severe muscle pain.
Why is TMJ caused?
There can be several reasons for having TMJ. Such causes include an unhealthy lifestyle for genetic disorders. Some of the causes of TMJ are-
- Teeth grinding– This can happen when the person is sleeping or is under great stress.
- Dislocated bones– TMJ can also be caused if the person has a dislocated jaw joint.
- Excessive stress and trauma– TMJ is a common sight in people who lead a stressful life. Stress can cause the jaw muscles to tighten. If a person has received severe trauma due to some form of an accident, then it might also become the reason for TMJ.
- Disorders like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis– If the person suffers from these disorders, especially in their jaw joint, they might suffer from TMJ.
What are the symptoms of TMJ?
- Headaches- The patient might complain about severe headaches.
- Pain in various body parts– Usually, patients suffering from TMJ observe pain behind the eyes, in their shoulders, facial muscles or neck.
- Sensitive, worn down, sore teeth
- Pain in the ear.
- Excessive clenching or grinding of teeth.
- Different sounds in the jaw joints– The patients complain of clicking or popping sounds of their jaw joints.
- Limited opening of your mouth– The patient might also have a limited opening of the mouth and may face problems in closing the mouth.
- Lockjaw- This is the most common symptom of TMJ. The person can suffer from frequent to occasional incidents of lockjaw.
- Cervical neck problems and a weak head and neck posture.
How is TMJ treated?
The TMD treatment San Jose ‘s process will widely depend on the diagnosis of the disease. There are several ways in which the TMJ can be treated. These include-
Physical Therapy– It can be done in the form of ultrasound or by using heat and ice treatments. These treatments can help strengthen your jaw muscles. The therapy also includes sessions in which the patient is told ways to avoid the pain caused due to TMJ. Activities such as teeth grinding and clenching can be harmful to the jaw muscles. A physical therapist can help keep the TMJ in check. However, it is not a complete treatment for the disorder.
Restoration of teeth– TMJ can be effectively treated by reshaping the structure of the teeth of the patient. The worn out and newer artificial ones can replace damaged teeth. It is also known to reduce pain effectively and improves the smile of the patient.
Surgery- In this process, the needles will flush out the debris from the jaw joint of the patient. The procedure is called Arthrocentesis. Certain injections used in the procedure are known to reduce the pain of the patients significantly.
Dental Orthotic– It is a splint that the patient wears on their teeth. This is one of the most common treatments and helps the jaw muscles relax preventing lockjaw. It is comfortable and helps the jaw muscles rest and heal.
It is essential to get treated at an early stage to avoid further damage to your teeth and jawbones. The patients can visit their nearest dentist and get their jaw joints checked if they observe any of the symptoms.
If you have a sore or clicking jaw, you may be suffering from TMJ / TMD. Call us today at 408.923.5511 or email us at Info@BerryessaDental.com and he will provide you with the best solution for relief.
