Treatments for TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Diseases
 

People with TMJ diseases experience disruption in many life functions. In people with these complaints;

Discomforts such as 
Pain in muscles and joints,
Sensitivity,
Sounds from the joints,
Limitation and irregularity in jaw movements,
Jaw Locking,
Nutrition Problems occurs.

To define TMJ Diseases simply, it is the name given to pain and dysfunctions in the TMJ and masticatory muscles. In people with the disease, the fit between the joint surface and the disc is disturbed.

TMJ Diseases unfortunately tend to become widespread today. This disease develops in people during their teenage years, but over time it is caused by pain due to deformations that develop in the joints. In some cases, noises coming from the joint and locking of the jaws may prompt the patient to consult a dentist.

What is the TMJ? 

TMJ is the name given to the joint between the temporal bone and the lower jaw bone, which is involved in the fulfillment of basic functions such as chewing and speaking in humans.

There is a structure between these two bones called the disc, which allows the two bone surfaces to move in harmony. The ligaments and capsules around the joint help the joint to function in synchronization.

Chewing muscles ensure the healthy functioning of the TMJ. For this reason, in these muscles;

Painful conditions,
Teeth grinding,
Teeth clenching,
The merging of the teeth,
Malalignments,  
And the treatments for these
cause strain in muscles, joints, and ligaments, leading to the formation of TMJ diseases.

What Causes TMJ Diseases? 

The mechanical causes of TMJ diseases are as follows;

Chewing food mainly on one side,
Clenching and grinding of teeth,
Accidents affecting the jaw and face (fractures, rupture of joint ligaments),
Injuries during sports,
Tumors affecting the joint and surrounding area,
Systemic diseases (inflammatory rheumatism etc.),
Dental treatments that take a long time and strain the mouth opening,
Excessive strain on the jaw during anesthesia,
Having wrong habits such as finger sucking, nail biting, biting pencils or similar hard objects, chewing gum,
Having a poor posture (excessive forward bending of the shoulders and neck),
Holding the phone between the shoulder and chin,
Certain psychological disorders,
Those with incompletely developed joints (congenital joint disorders),
Fillings and crowns at a height that changes the relationship between the teeth,
And playing violin (pressure on the chin due to the way it is held).
Apart from these, inflammatory rheumatism and gout can also cause TMJ diseases and can cause stiffness in the TMJ.

Calcifications in the TMJ (usually seen in older patients) also cause TMJ diseases. These changes detected on X-rays in the clinical setting and the occurrence of pain and limitation of movement in the jaw lead to this diagnosis. In elderly patients, it may adversely affect the general condition as it may impair nutrition.
Symptoms of TMJ Diseases 
Suppose they are experiencing one or more of the problems mentioned below, in that case, we can prevent TMJ Diseases, if any, before it gets worse with early intervention, with an examination to be performed by our specialists in our nearest clinic by contacting us.

Please contact us immediately if you observe any of the following: Pain in the ears and tinnitus,
Dizziness and intense headache in the temples,
Pain in the neck area,
Pain in the cheeks,
Sound when opening and closing the jaw,
Difficulty opening the jaw and jaw locking,
Sliding the jaw to one side while opening the mouth
Impairment of functions such as chewing, biting, taking a bite,
Impaired closure of the upper and lower teeth,
Sensitivity, wear, shaking and fracture of the teeth.

Diagnosis of TMJ Diseases 

In the vast majority of our patients with TMJ Diseases, the diagnosis is made by our dentists specializing in this field in the clinical examination.
In addition to the TMJ, the neck, neck and shoulder muscles and most importantly the masticatory muscles must be examined for the presence of trigger points, and any tension must be determined. However, evaluation by dentists, orthodontists or maxillofacial surgeons is appropriate in terms of malocclusion and other dental diseases. Normal radiographs and MRI can be performed if necessary. Blood tests may also be performed for differential diagnosis of infection and inflammatory joint diseases.

Treatment of TMJ Diseases and Post-treatment Recommendations 

The aim of treatment in TMJ diseases is to eliminate the patient's pain and recover normal jaw functions. The aim is for the treated patients to be able to return to their daily lives and perform basic functions such as chewing, biting, and speaking without any problems.

Painkillers, supportive therapies, muscle relaxants and even weak opioids can be used to relieve patients' pain.

Considering the close relationship between the TMJ and clenching and the close relationship between clenching and stress states of the person, it is recommended to seek psychiatric support if necessary and to treat anxiety and depression.

All patients we treat in our clinic are advised not to chew on one side, but to chew on both sides. The night apparatus can also be used for teeth clenching and teeth grinding.

It is recommended that our patients pay attention to their eating habits, avoid eating hard foods, crack hard-shelled foods with their teeth, and stop biting hard fruits such as apples. Patients should eat soft foods and pay attention to oral hygiene until the pain and dysfunction disappear.