What You Need To Know About Tmj Dentist Atlanta

By Kevin Edwards


TMJ or the temporomandibular joints are the jaw muscles and joints which help in closing and opening the mouth. These joints are usually located on both sides of your head and usually work together when chewing, speaking or swallowing. These joints also control the mandible or the lower jaw when it moves backward or forward. However, when you have a disorder in this joints you can visit a tmj dentist Atlanta.

The temporomandibular joints normally have discs in between the ball and the socket. These discs normally cushion the loads and help the jaw to open widely and rotate. Nevertheless, when there is a problem that prevents the complex system of the muscles, ligaments, discs, and bone from working properly, a temporomandibular joint disorder that is usually painful may arise.

The disorder is caused by different causes such as teeth grinding and stress, dislocation, arthritis, and misalignment of tooth and jaw. It is also important to have a proper diagnosis before treatment to know the real cause of the problem. The dental examination with the dentist involve examining the tenderness of the muscles and the joints, clicking, as well as difficulty moving the mouth. After the diagnosis, they dentist may recommend you see another physician or even a specialist dentist.

These disorder is often characterized by different symptoms which are an indication that you have the disorder. For instance, you could be having grating, popping and clicking noises when chewing or moving the mouth. On the other hand, you might have a feeling of pain on the jaw and near your ears. A person could also experience difficulty opening the mouth since the jaw are tight which make it difficult when eating. The other signs of this disorder are such as blocked sensations of the ear, headaches as well as neck and back pain.

In Atlanta GA, the treatment of this disorder begins by visiting a dentist or a GP for diagnosis as well as discuss the ideal treatment options. First, non-surgical treatment options are tried first such as self-physiotherapy treatments and lifestyle changes. However, if the disorder is more severe, the patient may be referred for further treatment options to maxillofacial and oral surgeon.

Lifestyle changes, as well as self-physiotherapy techniques which could help improve the disorder, include resting the joints by avoiding chewing gum and taking soft foods. Again, you can hold a warm or cold funnel for around 20 minutes to the jaw several times daily. You may also massage the muscles around the joints and perform self-relaxation techniques to relieve stress.

Medications like the painkillers may also help relieve pain caused by this disorder. If such medications are not effective, stronger ones may be recommended such as muscle relaxant and the antidepressants. In case the disorder is due to a disease like the arthritis, steroid injections could be used to reduce joint pain and swelling.

However, if the above treatment options do not work effectively, a specialist can recommend surgical treatment. Such a treatment is normally recommended if the problem is the TMJ and not the chewing muscles. Also, only very few people would have total joint replacement.




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