Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Temporomandibular Joint is the Joint that connect the lower jaw i.e. mandible with the upper head and the joint occurs below the outer ear location. Any problem in this joint or the muscles that control its movement and hence the movement of mandible can cause Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. The Temporomandibular Joint Disorder causes many problems in the mandible like inability the close the mouth when the jaw gets locked, or there can be heard clicking or tapping sound when the person opens or closes his/her mandible. Other symptoms of the Temporomandibular Joint Disordersare the headaches, ear pain, neck pain or facial pain.
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorder
- Headache.
- Problems while opening or closing the mouth.
- Ear pain i.e. also known as referred pain.
- Tickling or clicking sound while opening or closing the mandible.
- Tinnitus.
- Referred pain in shoulders or neck.
- Facial pain.
- Hearing loss.
Reasons of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
There is no specific reason behind this Disorder but there are many contributing factors that enhance the rate of occurrence of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
- Stress i.e. thought as the main reason behind having this Disorder.
- Bruxism in which the person grinds his/her teeth but he remains unconscious while doing this. This factor involves the continuous mandibular movements and thus can increase the chances of having Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
- Malocclusions that can predispose the person to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
- Various diseases like osteoarthritis can increase the percentage of having this Disorder.
- Habit of chewing nails.
- Myofacial Pain Dysfunction can also lead this disorder.
- Faulty restorations that create high points and thus can cause Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder first requires the aetiology to be removed that causes the symptoms and this includes various approaches regarding the etiologic reason. These are:
Correction of restoration
If the faulty restoration is the reason of having Temporomandibular Joint Disorder then it is advisable to first check the high points of restoration with the articulating paper and then smooth down the high point.
Night Guards
Night Guards or occlusal splints are provided for those who have the habit of bruxism. These night guards come in between the maxillary and mandibular teeth and thus prevent the risk of having Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
Pain Relievers
Most of the time people take pain killers for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder but these seems to be of no use. The pain in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction is neuralgic in nature and thus requires the chemotherapy with antidepressants or muscle relaxing drugs.
Exercise
There also requires some exercises to get rid of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. The person should not open his/her mouth widely during any of the daily routines like yawning, eating something and should also avoid eating hard foods. In the exercise the person should stable his hands on the table according to height length so that the level of hands should comfortably reach to mouth. Then after placing the head on the palms the person should try to open and close his mouth slowly.
