The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
TROUBLE WITH YOUR JAW?
TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tighten your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint. You may also have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the disk, which is made of cartilage and functions as the cushion of the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Irrespective of the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking, or grating noise when you open your mouth or trouble opening your mouth wide.
TREATMENT
Dr. Ishita Seth in Ballantyne will evaluate and, once the diagnosis is confirmed, will determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team approach.
- Relieve muscle spasm and joint pain. This is usually accomplished with an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, or muscle relaxants.
- Steroids can be injected directly into the joints to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Keep teeth apart (as much as possible) and rest your jaw.
- Eating soft foods.
- Applying ice and heat.
- Stress management techniques — biofeedback or physical therapy.
- Temporary, clear plastic appliance known as a splint. A splint (or nightguard) fits over your top or bottom teeth and helps keep your teeth apart, thereby relaxing the muscles and reducing pain.
If your TMJ disorder has caused problems with how your teeth fit together, you may need treatment such as bite adjustment (equilibration), orthodontics with or without jaw reconstruction, or restorative dental work.
You are never fully dressed without a smile!
Meet Dr. Seth
Dr. Ishita Seth graduated from Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine, Massachusetts in 2010. She also holds a dental degree from the Government Dental College – Patiala, India and has several academic achievements. She is fluent in English and culturally attuned to patients from various backgrounds.