What You Need To Know About Tmj Dentist Atlanta

By Kevin Edwards


The TMJ or temporomandibular joint is the joint as well as the jaw muscle which help when closing or opening your mouth. These joints are normally on either side of the head, and they normally work together when swallowing, speaking, and chewing. On the other hand, these joints control the mandible when moving forward and backwards. Nevertheless, a person suffering from this disorder should see tmj dentist Atlanta.

The temporomandibular joints normally have discs in between the ball and the socket. These discs normally cushion the loads and help the jaw to open widely and rotate. Nevertheless, when there is a problem that prevents the complex system of the muscles, ligaments, discs, and bone from working properly, a temporomandibular joint disorder that is usually painful may arise.

The causes of this disorder are such as dislocation, injury, arthritis, stress and teeth grinding, and tooth and jaw alignment. During treatment, proper diagnosis is usually important to know the cause of the problem before treatment. A dental examination will include checking the muscles and the joints for tenderness, difficulty moving, and clicking. After the diagnosis, the dentist may recommend you see a physician or another specialist dentist.

These disorder is often characterized by different symptoms which are an indication that you have the disorder. For instance, you could be having grating, popping and clicking noises when chewing or moving the mouth. On the other hand, you might have a feeling of pain on the jaw and near your ears. A person could also experience difficulty opening the mouth since the jaw are tight which make it difficult when eating. The other signs of this disorder are such as blocked sensations of the ear, headaches as well as neck and back pain.

In Atlanta GA, the treatment of this disorder begins by visiting a dentist or a GP for diagnosis as well as discuss the ideal treatment options. First, non-surgical treatment options are tried first such as self-physiotherapy treatments and lifestyle changes. However, if the disorder is more severe, the patient may be referred for further treatment options to maxillofacial and oral surgeon.

Lifestyle changes, as well as self-physiotherapy techniques which could help improve the disorder, include resting the joints by avoiding chewing gum and taking soft foods. Again, you can hold a warm or cold funnel for around 20 minutes to the jaw several times daily. You may also massage the muscles around the joints and perform self-relaxation techniques to relieve stress.

Medications such as painkillers like paracetamol may help relieve such pain arise from this disorder. If such medications do not control the pain, stronger medication may be recommended such as antidepressant or the muscle relaxant. When the disorder is due to a disease like arthritis, steroid injections can help reduce swelling and pain in the joint.

However, if the above treatment options do not work effectively, a specialist can recommend surgical treatment. Such a treatment is normally recommended if the problem is the TMJ and not the chewing muscles. Also, only very few people would have total joint replacement.




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