Jaw joint disorders are very uncomfortable over time and can lead to serious problems. Therefore, it must necessarily be treated. In order to choose the most suitable one for you among various treatment methods, you need to be examined by the dentist.
WHAT IS JAW JOINT DISEASE?
Jaw joint discomfort is the deterioration of the harmony of the jaw joint that connects the lower jaw and the upper jaw and the tissues surrounding this joint over time.
If the jaw joint disorders are not treated, serious complications can be observed that can lead to the locking of the jaw. Therefore, the earlier the treatment is started, the higher the success of the treatment. At the same time, serious problems that may arise with early treatment can be prevented.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF JAW JOINT DISORDER?
Symptoms of jaw joint disorders begin in a mild form.
But over time, the symptoms increase in severity. The symptoms are as follows:
- Severe jaw joint pain,
- Headache, neck and shoulder pain,
- Sound coming from the jaw joint,
- Jaw dislocation,
- Sliding or restriction of the jaw
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF JAW JOINT DISORDERS?
There are various causes of jaw joint diseases. The main reasons are;
- Grinding of teeth (Bruxism)
- Stress
- Continuous one-sided chewing
- Faulty prosthetic procedures
- Tooth deficiencies
- Trauma in the jaw area
- Injury to the chin area
- Sports accidents
- Tumors affecting the head and neck region
- Systemic disorders
- Very long and traumatic dental procedures
- Posture disorders
- Neurological, psychological and also psychiatric problems
- Congenital anatomical disorders
- Habits such as chewing gum, biting a pencil, and biting nails
DIAGNOSIS OF JAW JOINT DISORDERS
In the diagnosis of jaw joint diseases, a detailed examination of the teeth and closing system, chewing muscles and jaw joint should be performed. In addition, intra-articular imaging methods such as MRI are also used when necessary.
TREATMENT OF JAW JOINT DISORDER
There are various treatment methods. In order to apply the most accurate treatment, the cause and severity of the disease should be determined. Treatment methods are as follows:
- Soft diet: Foods that do not require a lot of chewing should be consumed. Because reducing the pressure on the jaw joint and chewing muscles is beneficial in mild symptoms. At the same time, very large pieces and hard foods that cause the mouth to open too much should be avoided.
- Ice packs, exercise and hot applications: Includes exercises related to jaw opening and closing that the dentist will recommend. At the same time, it is aimed to relax with cold and hot applications to the joint area.
- Medications: To relieve muscle pain and prevent the contraction of the jaw muscles, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants can be prescribed. If necessary, sedative medications can also be used.
- Botolinium Toxin (Botox) application: It is aimed to reduce the load on the joint as it will prevent tooth clenching by reducing the activation of the chewing muscles that cause tension.
- Splints: Splint is a transparent, removable apparatus applied to the lower jaw or upper jaw, standing between the teeth. Therefore, it ensures that the tight contact of the teeth with each other is eliminated and thus the jaw moves comfortably.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): In this treatment, low-level electric current is used to relax the facial muscles and jaw joint.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound treatment is usually applied when the joint is painful or when there is difficulty in movement.
- Trigger point injections: In this treatment method, painkillers are injected into the facial muscles. When showing the effect of painkillers, the patient needs to flex the jaw muscles with simple exercises.
- Arthroscopy: It allows the jaw surgeon to examine the damage to and around the jaw joint. The diseased tissue is cleaned or the location of the disc or condyle is corrected. In this treatment, general anesthesia is applied.
- Open joint surgery: Open joint surgery is performed in case of degeneration of the jaw joint, tumor around the joint or serious injury or fracture.
