Did you hurt your TMJ and go to a nearby medical facility for treatment?You may not have helped your condition because only a TMJ specialist can fix the problems and disorders of your temporomandibular joint.
The temporomandibular joint is very complex, and all your oral functions are under its control. Any severe distortion in your TMJ, if left untreated, can lead to lifelong problems. Here are the five TMJ disorders that only a TMJ specialist can fix, and what approach a TMJ expert follows for their treatment.
What Can Cause TMJ Disorders?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your lower jaw to the skull. Its job is to carry out various functions, from eating, chewing, grinding, to smiling and movements.
Any injury to your TMJ poses a severe threat and may also affect your general health. Here are some of the causes that can lead to disorders of your TMJ:
- You had a jaw injury, either due to a fall, a hit, or a blow to the face
- You have a habit of bruxism, which is involuntary teeth grinding
- You have the arthritis of the jaw
- You have a very poor bite due to improper tooth alignment
What TMJ Disorders Can TMJ Specialists Treat?
Doctors can give you emergency medication for pain in the TMJ; however, complete treatment is only in the hands of a TMJ specialist. Here are the major disorders that tell you to consult a TMJ specialist straight away:
Intolerable Pain
Pain in your TMJ is indicative of a disorder. The pain may occur around the jaw or near the ear. It’s commonly felt during your mandibular movements or when you touch the joint.
Sounds From The TMJ
Clicking or grinding sounds (crepitus) can indicate joint damage and should be evaluated by a specialist. It’s something you should definitely worry about. Clicking is indicative of an unbalanced movement of your jaw, while crepitus indicates roughness on the surface of the joint.
TMJ Dislocation
A TMJ dislocation is a serious condition that may cause an inability to open and close your mouth. At times, it is often associated with a fracture, and only a TMJ specialist can treat the dislocation.
TMJ Movement Restriction
If you are unable to move your mouth, it can be due to a TMJ disc displacement or a torn ligament. Reach out to a TMJ specialist for help for instant comfort and healing.
Continuous Headaches and Ear Pain
A headache is not always a migraine. In many cases, the continuous headache can be the result of the referred pain from the TMJ.
On the other hand, experiencing continuous pain and itching in your ear (tinnitus), especially when it is felt behind the ear, is linked with TMJ disorders.
How TMJ Specialists Treat The Disorders?
TMJ specialists emphasize going for the minimally invasive options first for TMJ disorder treatment. These treatments include:
- Prescribing OTC pain medications
- Educating patients on certain jaw-strengthening exercises
- Draining the fluid that accumulates in the joint (arthrocentesis)
- Jaw stabilization through stabilizing splints
- Injecting agents in the jaw
Final Thoughts
Patients should know that leaving their TMJ disorders untreated can gradually result in facial asymmetry. Eventually, can gradually result in facial asymmetry, compromising aesthetics.. An early checkup with the TMJ specialist, who also knows about teeth restorations, can save you from big problems. At Smile Time Dental Houston, you will get personalised dental services only with the help of experts. Call us now at (281) 245-0711 to reserve your appointment today.