TMJ Pain disorder

TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorder or dysfunction refers to a collection of over 30 conditions affecting the jaw joint and nearby muscles and ligaments. These conditions can cause pain in the jaw joint and the muscles regulating jaw movement. It is more common in females at birth or women. Mostly, it is seen in people aged between 20-40 years.

As per TMJ treatment doctor in Gurgaon at SB Aesthetics, temporomandibular joint dysfunction can be classified into three categories: jaw joint disorders, chewing muscle disorders, and headaches caused by TMD.

TMJ specialists in Gurgaon at SB Aesthetics have helped people suffering from TMJ disorder using both surgical and non-surgical approaches.

Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

Painful, tender jaw
The pain of both or one of the temporomandibular joints
Chewing difficulties or pain felt while chewing
Facial pain
Locking or stiffness of the jaw- making it difficult to close or open the mouth
Jaw clicking or popping- A grating sensation or clicking sound while chewing or opening the mouth
Earaches, toothaches, and headaches
Neck or shoulder pain
Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)
Malocclusions or bad bites- the teeth of the upper and lower jaw are not fitting together because of misalignment.

It is important to seek medication attention from a dentist or TMJ specialist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Gurgaon at SB Aesthetics in case of persistent pain, tenderness of the jaw, and if you can't completely open or close your mouth.

What causes painful TMJ disorder?

A temporomandibular joint behaves like a sliding hinge, connecting the lower jawbone to the skull. There is one joint on each side of the jaw, just in front of the ears. The portion of the bones that merge in the joint is covered with cartilage and is separated from one another by a small, shock-absorbing disc. The disc helps facilitate smooth jaw movements for chewing and speaking.

TMJ pain disorder can occur when:

The separating disc is eroded or improperly aligned
The joint is damaged by some impact like a blow
The cartilage covering the joint is damaged by arthritis.

However, for most patients diagnosed with TMJ pain disorder, the cause is not definite or clear.

Certain risk factors may increase the risk of developing TMJ disorders. These include:

Jaw injury or trauma such as dislocated or broken jaw
Chronic grinding or teeth clenching (Bruxism)
Malocclusions
Various kinds of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis- the inflammation of the temporomandibular joint
Certain diseases of the connective tissues result in problems affecting the temporomandibular joints
Stress.

Treatment of TMJ pain disorder in Gurgaon

TMJ disorder in most patients is associated with temporary pain or discomfort that can be resolved with self-managed care or non-surgical treatments. Surgeries to treat TMJ dysfunction may benefit some TMD patients typically when other alternative treatments have failed.

The treatment of TMJ disorder in Gurgaon depends upon several factors including its underlying cause and degree of pain. A TMJ specialist usually tries a non-surgical option first like medications or non-invasive procedures. If the symptoms of TMJ disorder are not improving, then a TMJ specialist may go for jaw surgery.

Non-surgical Ways to Correct TMJ Pain Disorder

Medications- Some TMD patients can get relief from the symptoms of their conditions with different over-the-counter or prescribed medications. These include muscle relaxers (particularly for patients who are persistently teeth clenching or grinding), antidepressants (to change how the body interprets the pain), painkillers, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Use of mouth guards or oral splints – These are soft or firm dental appliances placed over teeth to keep the jaw in a more favourable position and help minimise the effects of teeth clenching and grinding. These are available over the counter, but it's best to get a custom-made mouth guard from a dentist.
Trigger point injections- In this treatment, the TMJ specialist either performs dry needling at pain trigger points of the jaw or uses needles to inject botu-linu-m or corticosteroids into the painful muscle knots in the jaw.
Physical therapy- This involves doing TMJ exercises to stretch the jaw and strengthen the muscles surrounding the jaw joints.
Ultrasound therapy- This treatment makes use of sound waves to pass on heat energy deep into the tissues. It helps improve blood circulation and encourages the relaxation of the jaw muscles.
Behavioural changes- The patients can consult the TMJ specialist to get educated about the factors or behaviours that could worsen their pain so that they can avoid them. This includes improving posture and avoiding chewing on ice, biting fingernails, and leaning on the chin.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)- In this treatment, low-level electrical currents are passed into the jaw to help in muscle relaxation.

Surgical Approaches to fix TMJ Pain Disorder

TMJ Arthroscopy- In arthroscopic surgery, an incision is made inside the mouth to place a cannula (small, hollow thin tube) into the joint space. Through this tube, the TMJ specialist inserts an arthroscope and small surgical instruments to operate on the patient. This treatment option is as effective as open jaw surgery. However, it is associated with fewer risks or complications.
Arthrocentesis- It is a minimally invasive treatment wherein small needles are injected into the joint to obtain the synovial fluids from within a joint capsule. These fluids help in the removal of debris and inflammatory by-products.
Modified condylotomy- This is an indirect treatment for TMJ disorder. It is the surgery on the mandible and not on the joint. It can help relieve pain and even address locking the jaw.
Open-joint surgery (Arthrotomy)- This is the last resort for the treatment of TMJ disorder. It is done to repair or replace the joint only when jaw pain does not resolve with more conservative treatments and it happens to be a result of a structural problem. In this surgery, a long incision is made to directly access the jaw joint. Through this cut, an opening is created in the jaw joint for the drainage of fluids. This surgery involves more risks than other procedures and should be carefully considered. It is the best treatment option for loculations and removal of bacteria embedded in the joint.

If one is experiencing discomfort or pain due to TMJ disorder, they can get it treated with a TMJ treatment doctor in Gurgaon at SB Aesthetics. At the clinic both surgical and non-surgical approaches to manage the issue are available.

Book a visit today to gain more insights on TMJ treatment in Gurgaon!