Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Dental balance is essential for the overall balance of our body. Dental balance passes through healthy teeth (free of cavities), in good occlusion and no missing teeth on the dental arches.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Each person has two, located on each side of the face, immediately in front of the ears. These are the joints that join the temporal bone of the skull to the lower jaw (mandible). During mouth movements, the TMJs open and close like a hinge, sliding forwards, backwards, from side to side. During chewing, they experience enormous pressure.
Like other joints, the surfaces of the TMJs are covered with cartilage. Like the knee, the two parts of the jaw joint are separated by a small disc, the meniscus, which keeps the bones from rubbing against each other. The muscles that open and close the mouth help stabilize these joints.
Common symptoms of TMJ disorders include
- A rubbing sensation when opening the mouth or while chewing;
- shooting pain in the front of the ear;
- headaches that do not respond to usual medical treatment;
- blockage of the jaw making it difficult to open;
- jaw muscle tenderness
- A rubbing or cracking sound when opening or chewing.
The causes of temporomandibular disorders
TMJ disorders sometimes arise from a combination of factors:
- injuries or accidents,
- Abnormalities of the jaw and joints,
- The clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism) and
- Stress, although it is difficult to assess who is at the origin of the disorder, stress or vice versa.
Some discomforts can be resolved with basic care such as rest, hot compresses and anti-inflammatories.
It is also possible to make an occlusal plate in order to release the joints, reduce the pressure and stop the wear of the teeth.
On the other hand, in certain cases where the problems are of greater importance, more specific treatments are necessary. The realization of a complete prosthetic rehabilitation (i.e. the replacement of missing teeth) can be achieved with the TMJs in the neuromuscular position (harmony between the muscles and the teeth).
Several diagnostic tools are at our disposal to help you find the ideal position of your mandible to eliminate your symptoms. We call this science neuromuscular.
Prevention
If you think you have temporomandibular joint disorders, here are some tips to lessen the symptoms:
- Avoid chewing gum,
- Always keep a space between the teeth when the jaw is at rest, the teeth should never be in contact except when chewing or swallowing,
- Limit your openness when yawning,
- Massage the muscles of your jaws to relax them and
- If you notice that you clench or grind your teeth, do not hesitate to contact us to evaluate the possibility of manufacturing an occlusal plate to protect your teeth.
In order to establish the diagnosis of TMJ pathologies, the dentist takes a medical history and performs a physical examination of the jaw and face. To detect pain or sensitivity, he can also gently feel the muscles used for chewing. Finally, it can determine if the jaws slide past each other during chewing. The dentist can also determine whether the person grinds their teeth by observing whether there is excessive wear on the tooth surface.
The dentist may sometimes use electromyography (K7). This allows the analysis of muscle activity in order to monitor treatment and, in some cases, to establish a diagnosis.
