If you experience soreness or pain in the jaw, you may want to talk with your dentist about TMJ treatment and whether the condition is causing your pain or other issues. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is a serious condition that causes stiffness in the joints of the jaw, pain, soreness, swelling, and loss of movement. It is also called Lockjaw.
Do not worry if you find yourself with this disorder; there are several ways that your dentist can treat the condition, depending on the root cause of the condition. Though it can be very severe and serious, dentists are experts in dealing with conditions that affect the jaw.
Sometimes the cause of Lockjaw is that the jaw is simply out of alignment. This can be caused by an injury or a strong blow to the jaw, in which the jaw is knocked loose from the joints that hold it in place. This would cause intense pain and inability to move the jaw. Treatment, in this case, is quite simple; the dentist will manually reposition the jawbone into the proper place.
This simply means that the dentist will reach into the patient's mouth with their hands, find the location of the jawbone, and put it back into the socket. Patients usually see relief immediately and can manage the symptoms with over-the-counter medications.
Sometimes TMJ is not caused by a problem with the jaw but is indirectly caused by another issue affecting the jaw. In these cases, identifying and fixing the root cause is the best course of treatment.
One of the most common causes of Lockjaw unrelated to the jaw is clenching or grinding of the teeth, particularly at night. You see, clenching the jaw and grinding the teeth puts an incredible amount of pressure on the jawbone for long periods of time. This can eventually cause soreness and swelling that can limit the total movement of the jaw. To fix the condition, the dentist will prescribe a special night guard that will prevent clenching and grinding, thus taking the pressure off the jawbone and eliminating the disorder's symptoms over time.
You might think that Botox is just for removing wrinkles and making skin look younger, but when it comes to joint dysfunction, it is a valuable tool. Sometimes, it is caused by tightening the muscles around the jaw joint. This tightening can eventually paralyze the jaw, leaving it stuck in the open or closed position if untreated.
That is why Botox is such an important treatment. Injecting Botox into these muscles actually causes them to loosen up, making the jaw able to move as normal again. This is a very effective solution to fix the issue. Another option is surgery on the muscles around the joints.
Losing the ability to move your jaw can be devastating. If you start noticing symptoms affecting your jaw, it is best to get to your dentist immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to treat the condition. With the help of your dentist, they will be able to identify the cause of your situation and use the most effective treatment.
Request an appointment here: https://balmoraldentalcenter.com or call Balmoral Dental Center at (256) 660-3094 for an appointment in our Huntsville office.
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TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorders, refers to a group of issues related to mobility and discomfort around the jaw joints. The temporomandibular joints are the joints that link the lower jawbone (mandible) to the skull. More than any other joint in the body, these flexible joints are constantly in use, performing actions such as…
TMJ disorder is not a pleasant condition and can cause pain and discomfort. Although there are many contributing factors to TMJ disorder, there are different treatment options to correct and treat it, including medications. Sometimes symptoms of TMJ disorders disappear without treatment, but if they do not, you may get prescriptions to relieve the condition.Patients…
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, which often dysfunctions, resulting in serious pain. Individuals that suffer from TMJ disorder often turn to their general dentist to learn more about treatment options, as well as the root cause of the disorder. Each person varies, meaning the cause of their TMJ may differ, however, there are a…
TMJ disorder is an issue that affects many Americans each year. It leads to jaw pain, limited jaw movement and other symptoms. Dentists can diagnose, treat and prevent TMJ disorder through a variety of methods. It is helpful to understand how the diagnostic and treatment process works for TMJ to determine if you should visit…