TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
Temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJD Is not a single disorder, but a group of painful conditions that affect jaw joint and chewing muscles.
The Temporomandibular joint is the only joint in our body where one bone (jaw bone) connects at two points (temporal bones). TMJ helps us in talking, chewing, clenching and yawning.
TMJ is surrounded by muscles, nerves, arteries, cartilage, and ligaments in a capsule. Our teeth are the units which connects upper skull and lower jaw together. If jaw is not aligned properly then it can lead to a series of problems from head to back, like jaw clicking and locking, facial pain, migraine, or sleep disorders etc.
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Mouth breathing
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Malocclusion
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Improper bite
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Tongue tie
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Narrow airway
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Teeth grinding
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Obstructive sleep apnoea
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Clenching
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Physical injury
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Arthritis
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Anxiety
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Stress
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Inflammation of surrounding tissue
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Previous orthodontic treatment
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Dental filling/ crown
TMJ is surrounded by muscles, nerves, arteries, cartilage, and ligaments in a capsule. Our teeth are the units which connects upper skull and lower jaw together. If jaw is not aligned properly then it can lead to a series of problems from head to back, like jaw clicking and locking, facial pain, migraine, or sleep disorders etc.
SYMPTOMS OF TMJ / TMJD
Patient suffering from TMD usually have fatigue or spasm in head and neck muscles which can be due to stress, clenching, improper bite , breathing or swallow. To keep head posture for better breathing or to manipulate improper bite, muscles tend to overwork. When these overcompensating or improper positioned muscles gets fatigued then they radiate pain to neck, shoulders and other parts.
Chronic pain and poor sleep quality have a huge impact on quality of life as they drain you and make you irritable. That makes you less productive at work or affect personal relationships.
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Jaw clicking/ popping
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Limited jaw opening
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Jaw locking
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Difficulty chewing/swallowing
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Sensitive teeth(unexplained pain)
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Abfractions of teeth
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Tinnitus or fullness in ears
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Headaches and migraines
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Neck pain
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Shoulder stiffness
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Pain behind eyes
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Facial pain
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Vertigo and dizziness
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Pain behind eyes
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Dryness and tingling eyes
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Tingling or numbness in arms
TREATMENT OF TMJD
TMJ is very important joint, it comes in function whenever we eat, chew, open and close mouth. Any dysfunction can cause TMJD. TMJD is a neuromuscular problem which cannot be treated by a simple splint given by majority of dentists.
At 32 Dental Solutions our Neuromuscular Orthodontist Dr. Manisha Yadav treat the root cause of the problem. She has done her fellowship in neuromuscular dentistry and she provide the complete holistic approach of one’s problem.
Neuromuscular Orthotic
The Neuromuscular dentistry works on the concept where patients bite is corrected at position where all the muscle trigger point are released and muscles are at balance. At that muscle position teeth are settled, which keeps the occlusion happy and stable. TMJ Orthotic is given after deprogramming the muscles and later reprogramming them at balanced position. TMJ Orthotic looks like a splint given by general dentists but its function is to keep Temporomandibular Joint and its muscles at harmony.
Functional Neuro Myofascial Massage Technique (FNFT)
FNFT is a therapy which focuses on releasing trigger points of muscles and fascia by improving blood flow, oxygen and lymphatic circulation of contracted muscles.
Low Level Laser Therapy
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has bio stimulative, regenerative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
LLLT using Diode laser does photobiomodulation or biostimulation. It accelerates healing, induces repair, reduces inflammation and helps in removal of toxins from the tissues. In most patients it reduces level of pain and inflammation. Several sessions are required of LLLT to bring noticeable and significant changes in pain and symptoms. LLLT is used as an adjunct to treat TMD and not as the main line of treatment.
BENEFITS OF CORRECTING TMJD AT RIGHT TIME
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Improved airway and breathing
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Prevent headaches / migraine
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Prevent jaw locking
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Eliminate jaw pain
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Reduce facial muscle tension
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Improved symmetry and alignment of skull and body
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Prevent future injury in jaw areas
