FOR JUNE 11, 2023
DR. RHODA ENTERO
MEDICAL INSIDER
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TMJ DISORDERS
(Part 1)
From our 5 episodes of the CAD/CAM Dental Lab in a Dental
Center, we go to the topic on TMJ Disorders.
The temporomandibular joint (often shortened to TMJ), connects
your jawbone to the skull and acts like the sliding hinge between
the two.
This joint is found on either side of the jaw and helps the mandible
move as you talk, scream, and chew as well as breathe by your
mouth and whistle.
If you have TMJ disorders—it’s one of several temporomandibular
disorders or TMDs— and this can cause severe pain on the joint
of your jaw and the muscles controlling your jaw movement.
Because of how complex the TMJ is, it can be challenging to
diagnose and treat a TMJ disorder. Keep reading to find out more
about TMJ, the TMJ disorder, its common symptoms, and its most
effective treatments.
How Common Is the TMJ Syndrome and what is it?
TMJ disorder affects a lot of people. Studies show that more
women end up with TMJ disorder compared to men, with 9
women to every 1 man experiencing restricted jaw movement and
severe TMJ pain.
The temporomandibular joint disorder or syndrome refers to the
sickness that affects the joint connecting your jaw to your skull
through the back of your cheekbone. It’s like a hinge that keeps
your jaw connected to the rest of you while also allowing your
mouth to make more complex chewing and mastication
movements.
With that in mind, here are the things you should expect when you
have TMJ syndrome.
Usually Painful on One Side
Human beings typically have two TMJs, one on each side of
the jaw.
TMJ disorder sufferers tend to only have pain on one side as
though only one of the two TMJs have a disorder.
However, it is possible for patients to undergo soreness and
pain on both sides of the jaw because both TMJs have the
disorder.
Just One of Many Disorders: As mentioned earlier, TMJ disorder
is only one type of many TMDs. All issues involving the TMJ are
also considered TMDs, but not all TMDs are TMJ disorders as
well. Just keep in mind that the TMJ disorder is part of a larger
disorder family of the temporomandibular variety, so they share
common causes, symptoms, and treatments because they’re
related.
What are the Causes of TMJ Syndrome:
TMJ disorder is caused by multiple factors, including genetics,
various injuries to the teeth and jaws, multiple arthritis types,
clenching and grinding of the teeth or bruxism, dislocation of the
disc between the skull and the TMJ, and even stress at work or
school resulting in TMJ pain somehow. The condition is
characterized by the pain it causes.
Describing The Pain Caused by TMJ Disorder: TMJ syndrome is
excruciating. People suffering from it report feeling a sharp pain
and tightness of the jaw and the TMJ that emanates across their
whole face. Because of nerve placement and interconnectivity
with the teeth and jaws, TMJ disorder can also cause different
types of headaches such as cluster headaches and migraines.
Thankfully, the pain caused by TMJ disorder is mostly temporary
or short-term. It should disappear after you’ve properly treated the
condition itself. It’s the same when it comes to the headaches
linked to this TMJ sickness.
If you’re suffering from TMJ syndrome, then that usually means
your TMJ has gotten damaged and is emitting acute pain to warn
you about its compromised condition. (TO BE CONTINUED)