When you eat or speak, you need to open your mouth. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, makes this possible. Located at the base of the skull, it connects the upper and lower jaw. When problems arise with the joint or the surrounding soft tissues, you may experience a TMJ disorder, resulting in restricted mobility of the jaw. Find out how a dentist can help below.

Symptoms & Causes of TMJ Disorder

Signs of TMJ include pain in the face, headaches, earaches, and a feeling of pressure behind the eyes. You may also hear a popping or clicking sound when you open your mouth. In some cases, the jaw locks into place, impeding your ability to chew or talk.

TMJ disorders can occur suddenly due to facial trauma, like in a car accident or sports injury. They may also develop with time, such as if the cartilage surrounding the joint is damaged due to arthritis. Long-term teeth grinding or clenching is also a risk factor.

How a Dentist Can Relieve Pain

To diagnose the cause of your TMJ disorder, your dentist will need to conduct a manual exam, and they will order X-rays of the teeth and jaw. In some cases, a CT scan or MRI may be needed for a better look at the bone and surrounding soft tissues.

Using this information, your dentist will fit you with a custom-made oral splint or mouth guard. In most cases, you can wear this while sleeping. They can also show you stretches and exercises to strengthen jaw muscles and suggest anti-inflammatories to relieve swelling.

In more serious cases, your dentist may recommend arthrocentesis, a small operation designed to remove inflammatory materials from around the joint. Surgery can also be done on the mandible part of the jaw; a modified condylotomy addresses locking and related pain. If these moderate measures do not work, open-joint surgery is generally a last resort. 

There’s no need to let TMJ disorders cause you pain. Let Chinook Family Dentistry of Anchorage, AK, create a custom-made solution. This family-run dental practice provides personalized care in a friendly setting. They serve both children and adults, providing a gentle touch whether you’re getting a root canal or dental implants. Visit their website for a full overview of their services. To schedule a dentist appointment, call (907) 272-8422.