Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are a collection of complex problems affecting the jaw, facial muscles, and temporomandibular joints. Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ disorder each year and most people who experience symptoms do not seek professional help. This article will discuss the causes and treatments of TMJ disorders. It will also provide answers to some commonly asked questions about TMJ in Jacksonville, Florida.

What Causes TMJ Disorder?

1. Trauma or Injury

Trauma to the face and jaw area is one of the most common causes of TMJ disorder. This can include physical trauma such as a blow to the face, and it can also include dental trauma such as an improperly fitting dental appliance or orthodontic treatment.

2. Arthritis

Arthritis is another common cause of TMJ disorder. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of inflammatory joint diseases can cause pain and inflammation in the jaw area.

3. Stress

Stress is another major contributing factor to TMJ disorder. When we are stressed, our body tenses up and clenches the muscles around the jaw, causing tightness and pain in the temporomandibular joint.

4. Misalignment

Misalignment of the temporomandibular joint can also cause TMJ disorder. This is often due to a bad bite or teeth grinding and can lead to pain and discomfort in the jaw area.

5. Jaw Clenching/Grinding

Jaw clenching and grinding are common and can lead to TMJ disorder. This is often due to stress or other emotional triggers and can cause pain in the jaw, neck, and head.

Treatments for TMJ Disorder

1. Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for TMJ disorder. Physical therapy involves exercises and stretches that are designed to strengthen the muscles around the jaw and ease discomfort in the temporomandibular joint.

2. Medication

Medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants can help manage the pain and inflammation caused by TMJ disorder.

3. Splints/Mouthguards

Splints and mouthguards are also used to treat TMJ disorder. These devices help prevent teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and misalignment of the temporomandibular joints, and can also provide relief from TMJ-related pain.

4. Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat TMJ disorder. This can involve reshaping the jawbone or joint, repositioning the jaw, or replacing the joint with an artificial one.

5. Lifestyle Changes

Making lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, avoiding jaw clenching and teeth grinding, eating a balanced diet, and practicing good posture can help reduce TMJ-related pain and improve overall health.

Conclusion

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a painful and debilitating condition that can have a significant impact on quality of life. While TMJ disorder can be caused by many different factors, the good news is that there are effective treatments available to help manage TMJ-related pain and improve overall health. At Baymeadows Park Dental, our specialists are available to diagnose TMJ disorder and recommend the best treatment plan for you.

FAQs

Q: What is TMJ disorder?

A: TMJ disorder is a painful condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. It can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw area as well as headaches and tinnitus.

Q: What are the causes of TMJ disorder?

A: TMJ disorder can be caused by many factors, including injury, misalignment, jaw clenching/grinding, and stress.

Q: How is TMJ disorder treated?

A: Treatment for TMJ disorder includes physical therapy, medications, splints/mouthguards, surgery, and lifestyle changes.

Full mouth reconstruction is a great way to make your teeth look better, work better, and stay healthy simultaneously.

It is a set of procedures chosen just for you and meant to fix all of the dental problems you are having right now. Even though it’s a big commitment, there are many reasons it might be the best choice for oral health.

It could be the only way to get things done.

Most of the time, we don’t suggest full mouth reconstruction. When we do, it’s the only way to fix all of the problems with your smile’s oral health at once.

Most of the time, you have more than one tooth that must be fixed immediately. If these teeth are cracked, chipped, or worn down, they may not be healthy and could fall out.

But it’s possible that you only have one tooth that needs to be fixed right away. For instance, if you have a cracked tooth that needs a crown, you might need a root canal first. We might even decide it would be best to remove the tooth and put a dental implant in its place. But you may also have several nearby teeth worn down and likely to break soon. Selecting all these teeth at once makes sense if you want to fix your oral health problems.

Take care of systemic issues.

One of the most important things to know about full mouth reconstruction is that it tries to fix some of the problems causing damage to multiple teeth at once. Temporomandibular joint disorders are a common and essential worry (TMJ or TMD). If you have TMJ, you may have an uneven bite that makes you clench and grind your teeth. This can cause several teeth to wear down, chip, or break simultaneously. The problem with TMJ is that if we don’t do anything about it, your new restorations will be destroyed, just like your natural teeth.

With a full mouth reconstruction in Jacksonville, FL, we can fix the balance of your jaw. We can select all your teeth at once to put your jaw back in a healthy, comfortable position. This is better than fixing one tooth at a time, which can’t change how you bite.

This not only keeps your restored teeth from getting hurt again, but it can also reduce or eliminate TMJ symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, ringing in the ears, and more.

Get Long-Lasting Results

If a dental crown isn’t put on right, it might only last about five years. One skillfully put in place has well-balanced bite forces, is a good fit with its neighbors, and could last for decades.

With a full mouth reconstruction, we can ensure that your dental work will go well. This makes it more likely that your dental work will last longer than if you worked on one tooth at a time.

Get a Smile That Looks Like One Piece

Your smile probably looks messy if you have had a lot of dental work over the years. Dental crowns put on at different times don’t match because they’ve aged differently. They don’t look like your natural teeth, either.

With a full mouth reconstruction, we can replace any old restorations that have worn out. We will also put crowns on teeth that are broken or stained. Since all of the new repairs are put in at the same time and are made of the same material, they will not only look good together now, but they will also age together, giving you a beautiful smile for years to come.

Plus, we can change your smile when we do a full mouth reconstruction. Even though it’s not usually used for cosmetic dentistry, we can use it to give you the smile of your dreams.

Get the best oral health you can.

If you’ve had bad oral health for a long time, you’ve had a lot of time to worry about it. When will the following problem happen? How much will it cost? How will it get into my life and plans?

You can fix your oral health problems with a full mouth reconstruction at once. It’s good for you. You’ll have healthy teeth. You won’t have to worry about your oral health.

Baymeadows Park Dental Full Mouth Reconstruction

Let the skilled restorative dentists at the Baymeadows Park Dental help you if you have severe dental health problems that need a complicated solution. We can look at your oral health, including current or upcoming issues. We will help you figure out when you might need a full mouth reconstruction.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders – Causes & Treatment

Category: TMJ