Temporomandibular joints are essential in performing the many oral functions, from smiling, yawning, chewing, and even swallowing. Any pain and discomfort of these joints will cause necessary and routine activities to become something anyone will dread. Pain and discomfort in the joints will also result in headaches and pain in the neck and facial muscles. The team at Nashua Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry in New Hampshire provides solutions for the TMJ disorder.
Symptoms
The symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder range from very mild to extreme symptoms that might require major dental surgery. The main symptoms to check out are the following:
- Pain and discomfort in at least one of your temporomandibular joints
- Aching in and around the ears
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Painful facial muscles
- Lockjaw, making it hard to open and close your mouth
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit Drs. Smith, and Byer at Nashua Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry, who will help determine the extent of your disorder and help come up with tailor-made solutions for TMJ.
Causes
You can search for TMJ disorder treatment to understand more about how the joint works. The joint combines a sliding motion with a hinge motion which enables the movement of the jaws. The parts of the jawbone that form the joint are covered with cartilage and shock-absorbing disks. It keeps the movement of the jaws smooth and pain-free. The temporomandibular joint disorder may occur due to one of the following reasons:
- The disk is knocked out of its proper alignment.
- The disk gets eroded, making it too small to absorb shocks when the jaws are moving.
- The cartilage in the bones is worn down by arthritis.
- Trauma to the jaw from a blow or other impact.
Treatment
In some minor symptoms, the disorder will go away without treatment. Where the symptom persists, you should visit your dentist, and there is no better place than Nashua Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry in Nashua.
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Treatment can be either of the following:
Medication
Depending on the degree of your disorder, your doctor might prescribe either anti-inflammatory or pain relievers. These will help with the pain and disorder as your joints get to heal. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed where the condition is also causing muscle spasms.
Therapies
Non-drug therapies are prescribed. That includes oral splints, which are worn in over the teeth. The splints may be soft or firm, based on the extent of the disorder.
For those in Nashua, New Hampshire, looking to have their symptoms looked at by a professional, call (855) 363-3793 . Nashua Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry will be on hand to get you the best-customized care.
