TMD

Possible causes of temporomandibular joint disorder are:

• 1. Injury to the jaw, the joint or muscles of the head and neck, such as from a heavy blow or whiplash
• 2. Grinding or clenching your teeth
• 3. Dislocation of the ball and socket
• 4. Arthritis in the TMJ
• 5. Stress

Common symptoms include:

• 1. Pain or tenderness in your face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew or speak
• 2. Problems when you try to open your mouth wide
• 3. Jaws that get stuck orlocked; in the open- or closed-mouth position
• 4. Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when you open or close your mouth or chew
• 5. A tired feeling in your face
• 6. Trouble chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite, as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly
• 7. Swelling on the side of your face

Treatment Options for TMD/TMJ:

• 1. Medications. Your dentist can prescribe higher doses of anti-inflammatories if you need them for pain and swelling. He might suggest a muscle relaxer to relax your jaw if you grind or clench your teeth. Or an anti-anxiety medication to relieve stress, which may bring on TMD. In low doses, they can also help reduce or control pain.
• 2. A splint or night guard. These plastic mouthpieces fit over your upper and/or lower teeth so they don't touch. They lessen the effects of clenching or grinding and correct your bite by putting your teeth in a more correct position. What's the difference between them? You wear night guards while you sleep. You use a splint all the time. Your dentist will tell you which type you need.
• 3. Dental work. Your dentist can replace missing teeth and use crowns, bridges or braces to balance the biting surfaces of your teeth or to correct a bite problem.
• 4. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This therapy uses low-level electrical currents to provide pain relief by relaxing your jaw joint and facial muscles. It can be done at the dentist's office or at home.
• 5. Ultrasound. Deep heat applied to the joint can relieve soreness or improve mobility.
• 6. Trigger-point injections. Pain medication or anesthesia is injected into tender facial muscles called ;trigger points; to give relief.
• 7. Radio wave therapy. Radio waves stimulate the joint, which increases blood flow and eases pain.
• 8. Low-level laser therapy. This lowers pain and inflammation and helps you move your neck more freely and open your mouth wider.