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 The
Temporomandibular Joint
Your TM joints are where your upper jaw and
lower jaw meet just in front of the ears.
Like the gears of a car, the joints are
moving parts that allow the lower jaw to
move. This lets you open and close your
mouth for talking, biting and chewing. The
joints are a complex, made of muscles and
jaw-bones. Each part plays a role in keeping
your TMJs working smoothly. When the muscles
are relaxed and balanced and both jaw joints
open and close comfortably, you are able to
talk, chew or yawn with no pain. Because
your muscles and joints work together, a
problem with either one can lead to
uncomfortable results such as stiffness,
headaches, pain, bite problems, clicking
sounds or lock jaw.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
TMJ disorders are a family of problems
related to your complex jaw-joint. These
disorders exhibit various symptoms such as
pain or clicking sounds. Early detection and
treatment are important, as some types of
TMJ problems can lead to more serious
conditions. No one treatment can resolve TMJ
disorders completely, and treatment takes
time to be effective. Signs
you may have a TMJ disorder:
- You have a habit of
clenching or grinding your teeth
- You have frequent headaches or neck-aches,
and the pain gets worse when you clench your
teeth
- Your jaw clicks, pops, grates, catches or
locks when you open your mouth
- You find it difficult to open your mouth,
eat or yawn
- You have injured your jaws, neck or head
- You have other joint-related problems,
such as arthritis
- Your teeth no longer touch in their
correct positions when you bite
- Your teeth meet differently from time to
time
Treatment Options
There are many treatment options that
will improve the harmony and function of
your jaw, but in large part relief hinges on
you. The various options available are:
Self Care - Self care includes
resting your jaw. Rest relaxes your jaw
muscles and takes the pressure off your
joint. Practicing good posture, eating soft
foods and reducing stress will also relax
tense muscles. Applying ice and heat
alternately, and exercising your jaw, also
helps to relieve symptoms.
Stress Management - Stress, teeth
clenching and poor posture cause your
muscles to tighten. This tightening pulls
your upper and lower jaws closer together,
putting pressure on TMJ and sometimes
wearing down your teeth. Managing daily
stress is one of the best ways to restore
harmony between your muscles and joints.
Physical therapy - A variety of
physiotherapy techniques such as jaw
exercises, postural training and
mobilization help you regain the harmony of
your jaw joints and muscles. Physical
therapy is often used when your disk,
ligaments or other joint tissues are
injured. It promotes healing and reduces
pain and swelling. It also aids muscle
relaxation and increases your jaw's range of
motion.
 Occlusal Splint
- A clear plastic appliance that fits over
your top or bottom teeth to establish
harmony between your muscles and joints. It
works by keeping your upper and lower teeth
slightly apart, thus relaxing the muscles.
Wearing a splint nightly should reduce
muscle spasm, clenching habits, jaw/joint
pain, teeth wear, and cracked teeth. When
cared for correctly, these splints may last
up to 5 years.
Occlusal Equilibration - Modification
of the biting surfaces of opposing teeth to
develop harmonious relationships between the
teeth themselves, the neuromuscular
mechanism, the temporomandibular joints, and
the structure supporting the teeth. For this
treatment you will not have to get numb.
You may need a combination of treatments,
depending on the severity of your case. From
biting and talking to chewing and yawning,
your TM joints always come into play. So
when something goes wrong with your jaw
joints, it can cause you much discomfort.
But with the right diagnosis and treatment,
most people do find relief from the pain and
other symptoms of a TMJ disorder, and you
can too!
Athletic
Mouth guards
 Do
I need a mouth protector?
Anyone who participates in a sport that
carries a significant risk of injury should
wear a mouth protector. This includes a wide
range of sports like football, hockey,
basketball, baseball, gymnastics, and
volleyball. Mouth protectors, which
typically cover the upper teeth, can cushion
a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of
broken teeth and injuries to the soft
tissues of the mouth.
 What
are the advantages of using a mouth
protector?
Accidents can happen during any physical
activity. A mouth protector can help cushion
a blow to the face that otherwise might
result in an injury to the mouth. A
misdirected elbow in a one-on-one basketball
game or a spill off a bicycle can leave you
with chipped or
broken
teeth, nerve damage to a tooth or even tooth
loss. A mouth protector can limit the risk
of such injuries as well as protect the soft
tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek
lining. A properly fitted mouth protector
will stay in place while you are wearing it,
making it easy for you to talk and breathe.
We can make them clear or even a color to
fit your style. |
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