Temporomandibular Joint (Lower Jaw Joint) Disorders
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ, Mandible Joint) is a pain and dysfunction syndrome involving the masticatory muscles. The harmony between the articular surface and the disc is impaired. Jaw joint disorders have affected a widespread segment today.
Symptoms of TMJ disorders:
• Pain during mouth opening
• Squeaking, clicking, clicking sound when opening and closing the mouth
• Restriction or locking in mouth opening
• Pain or stiffness in the neck
• Headache (mixed with migraine pain)
• Pain while chewing
• Facial pain
• Pain when closing the teeth on top of each other
• Feeling of tiredness in the jaw while chewing
• Difficulty and pain in opening the jaw, usually in the morning
• Difficulty in yawning
• Earaches
• Ringing in the ears, rumbling-like sounds
• Sudden change in the way our upper and lower teeth meet
• Facial asymmetry, which may be due to hyperplasia in the facial muscles
• Deviation (slipping) of the jaw during mouth opening
• A feeling of stuffiness and pressure in the ear
Displacement of the disc or degenerative changes in the condyle and disc may also occur in TMJ. Differences in clinical symptoms in TMJ cannot always be explained by disc displacement. Dysfunction of the masticatory muscles should also be taken into account.
Causes of TMJ disorders
• Direct trauma to the jaws or joint area (as a result of accident or impact)
• Unilateral chewing habit
• Tooth deficiencies
• Clenching and grinding of teeth
• Stress, depression etc.
• Non-physiological tooth occlusion
• Developmental defects of the joint (hypoplasia, etc.)
• Degenerative joint disorders, osteoarthritis, arthrosis
• Autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus
• Unknown factors
Diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders
In order to diagnose jaw joint disorders, some ancillary tests can be used together with the examination. In addition, conventional or computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are frequently used imaging methods. Rarely, scintigraphy or PET examinations may be required.
Inspection methods
• Inspection of the teeth and closing system,
• Examination of chewing muscles,
• Examination of the jaw joint.
TMJ treatment
• Treatment of symptoms,
• Treatment of the underlying cause,
• Elimination of predisposing factors,
• Treatment of pathological effects.
Treatment options
• Patient education and preventive treatment,
• Splint treatment,
• Medication,
• Exercises,
• Physiotheraphy,
• Manipulation,
• Psychiatric support,
• Advanced treatments (surgery, etc.) in delayed cases…
During the treatment process;
• Reducing the load on the joints is very important. The patient should be relieved of stress.
• It is forbidden to chew gum and eat hard foods that will tire the jaw.
• The mouth should not be opened excessively while yawning and sneezing, and the chin should be supported by hand.
• Biting action is strictly prohibited, food is taken into the mouth in small pieces.
• One-sided chewing should not be done, foods should be chewed on both sides.
• In cases where there is a lot of pain, until the process of consulting a doctor; Painkillers, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs can be applied.
At the end of the treatment process;
• Early and pathological tubercle contacts are corrected.
• The closure is checked, if necessary, the patient is referred to the orthodontic department.
• If there are missing teeth, they are corrected by prosthetic treatments and a neutral bite is provided.
• If clenching or grinding continues, psychiatric consultation is requested.
But; As a result of these complementary treatments, the treatment process can be concluded with full success.
Finally, it should not be forgotten that; Treatment of TMJ dysfunctions requires a multidisciplinary approach, primarily patient compliance. Along with the treatment to be administered by the TMJ specialist, it may also require consultation of a physical therapist, psychiatrist, and neurologist.
