TMD Disorders

The problem(s)

  • frequent headaches / migraines;
  • ear ache and/or buzzing in the ears, a sensation that the ear is filled with something in one or in both sides (ear congestion);
  • pain in the TMJ, pain in the facial muscle, mainly when you wake up in the morning;
  • difficulty of movements of the jaw when you open or close it, limiting or inhibiting the comfortable opening of the mouth;
  • noises in the TMJ;
  • abnormal sensation of biting, as if some teeth did not touch each other when you bite;
  • sensitivity and toothache, loss of teeth;
  • pain on the neck and shoulder;
  • bruxism (teeth griding)
  • dizziness;
  • hard fingers and arms.

The solution

Knowing that some kinds of TMD may lead to more serious circumstances, the early diagnosis and treatment are important. It is really important to know that no treatment in isolation can solve TMD completely. So the treatment must be carried out by many different professionals.

Dental and Medical evaluation

This is the first phase in which your dentist examines you to evaluate your temporomandibular problems and find the causes of such problems. The evaluation consists of:

– medical and odontological history;
– physical examination of the temporomandibular articulations (TMA);
– x-ray, if required;
– dental molds: these are models of your teeth what help your dentist to diagnose how the TM problems you are having affect your teeth and bite. These models are mounted in a mechanical device called semi-adjustable articulator, which helps the dentist to make the movement of the jaw.

Then your dentist will determine a plan of treatment which best fits in your condition. This plan may one or more treatments, depending on each case. It may include, personal car, occlusion plaque (acrylic protector used to impede the grinding of the teeth at night), adjust of the bite and the use of crowns or orthodontic treatment in more complex cases.

What may happen if you do not treat TMD?

We cannot say for sure what will happen if the TMD does not go under treatment, but it is a progressive disease and may worsen in many patients. This means that the symptoms start to worsen, including pain. The best solution is the prevention and also the treatment through:

– bite adjustment;
– in certain case, the use of crowns;
– orthodontic treatment to align the biting (occlusion).

 

 

TMD Disorders represent dysfunctions that affect the temporomandibular joints (TMJ).

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. It lets you move your jaw up and down and side to side, so you can talk, chew, and yawn.

TMJs or temporomandibular joints are the small articulations located in front of the ears; they unite the jaw to the cranium. They are very complex articulations and the area where these are found is an extremely complicated net of the bones, including the teeth, of the muscles and of the nerves.

Problems with your jaw and the muscles in your face that control it are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

The nerves and the muscles, together with the TMJ, control and guide the jaw during the movement of opening and closing of the mouth, mastication, speaking, deglutition etc. When the teeth, the facial muscles and the TMAs are not aligned, the muscles can become tense and retracted, contributing to a significant pain and tension, what leads to TMD.

The problem(s)

  • frequent headaches / migraines;
  • ear ache and/or buzzing in the ears, a sensation that the ear is filled with something in one or in both sides (ear congestion);
  • pain in the TMJ, pain in the facial muscle, mainly when you wake up in the morning;
  • difficulty of movements of the jaw when you open or close it, limiting or inhibiting the comfortable opening of the mouth;
  • noises in the TMJ;
  • abnormal sensation of biting, as if some teeth did not touch each other when you bite;
  • sensitivity and toothache, loss of teeth;
  • pain on the neck and shoulder;
  • bruxism (teeth griding)
  • dizziness;
  • hard fingers and arms.

The solution

Knowing that some kinds of TMD may lead to more serious circumstances, the early diagnosis and treatment are important. It is really important to know that no treatment in isolation can solve TMD completely. So the treatment must be carried out by many different professionals.

Dental and Medical evaluation

This is the first phase in which your dentist examines you to evaluate your temporomandibular problems and find the causes of such problems. The evaluation consists of:

– medical and odontological history;
– physical examination of the temporomandibular articulations (TMA);
– x-ray, if required;
– dental molds: these are models of your teeth what help your dentist to diagnose how the TM problems you are having affect your teeth and bite. These models are mounted in a mechanical device called semi-adjustable articulator, which helps the dentist to make the movement of the jaw.

Then your dentist will determine a plan of treatment which best fits in your condition. This plan may one or more treatments, depending on each case. It may include, personal car, occlusion plaque (acrylic protector used to impede the grinding of the teeth at night), adjust of the bite and the use of crowns or orthodontic treatment in more complex cases.

What may happen if you do not treat TMD?

We cannot say for sure what will happen if the TMD does not go under treatment, but it is a progressive disease and may worsen in many patients. This means that the symptoms start to worsen, including pain. The best solution is the prevention and also the treatment through:

– bite adjustment;
– in certain case, the use of crowns;
– orthodontic treatment to align the biting (occlusion).