Temporomandibular Disorder (TMDs)

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are referred to the condition that affects the movement of your jaw, due to problems with the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and muscles around the jaw. If this condition is neglected may lead to serious joint issues.

TMD usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 40 years, a majority of which are men and can affect one or both sides of the face.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is a hinge joint connecting the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull, which allows one to move their jaw when talking, yawning, or chewing. TMD is often mistakenly referred to as TMJ, which is actually the name of the joint that is affected.

TMD may be caused by a variety of factors (or some combination of them) – ranging from genetics and habitual clenching of your jaw to arthritis or a jaw injury. Although it causes a lot of pain and distress, this disorder is of a very temporary nature and can easily be relieved through non-surgical treatments and holistic self-managed care. At Dixit Dental Care, we take a holistic treatment approach to handle Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD). We have treated many such TMD patients in Pune and helped them lead a normal life without having to opt for surgery (as per the severity of the condition).

At Dixit Dental Care, we take a holistic treatment approach to handle Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD). We have treated many such TMD patients in Pune and helped them lead a normal life without having to opt for surgery (as per the severity of the condition).

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) Causes and Symptoms

To understand the cause of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), we must first understand the structure of the joint, and associated muscles, that is usually affected.

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is one that combines a hinge action with sliding movements.

The movement is usually kept smooth by the cartilage lining on the bones and the small shock-absorbing disks separating them.

Erosion, or non-alignment, of these disks, is a plausible cause for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

The cartilage of the joint may get damaged due to arthritis, or the joint itself might get damaged due to an injury.

TMD – can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. The exact cause of a person’s TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as genetics, parafunctional habits like clenching and bruxism or night grinding.

Additionally, teeth malalignment and Stress also often has a role to play in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).

Temporomandibular (TMD) Treatment

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) usually can be treated with minimal intervention. however, you might opt for definitive treatment if symptoms persist.
You might be prescribed medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Muscle relaxants and associated palliative therapies can also be prescribed over the course of a few days or weeks.
Definitive treatments such as Anterior deprogrammer, NTI TSS (Nociceptive Trigeminal inhibition, tension suppression system), Permissive Splints, Anterior repositioning splint, Mouth guards, physical therapy, and counselling, can also help ease the situation.
In extreme cases, you might have to resort to surgical procedures such as arthrocentesis, corticosteroid injections, TMJ arthroscopy, modified condylotomy, and open-joint surgeries.

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Temporomandibular (TMD)

How do I know if I have TMJ Disorders?
The most prominent symptom of TMD is pain or tenderness in your jaws, face, neck and shoulder, or, near your ears when you open your mouth or use your jaws. You usually have problems opening your mouth wide, and your jaws might get “locked” in an open or closed position.

How do I know my TMD symptoms have worsened?
Common symptoms of the disorder include grating or popping sounds in the jaw joints. Other symptoms include toothache, headache, or even hearing problems and dizziness. Neglecting these symptoms may result in repeatedly clenching or grinding your jaw.

How is TMD Diagnosed?
While diagnosing, the dentist will probably listen to and feel around your jaw area and observe the range of motions. He’d also press along the region to detect areas of discomfort. CT scans and MRIs would then be used to zero in on the problem.

Do Behavioural issues cause TMD?
Behavioural issues such as clenching or grinding your teeth, biting fingernails, leaning on your chin, etc., often contribute to TMD, and might even lead to relapse if untreated. They can be resolved with proper medical counselling over a period of time.

Are TMD treatments risky?
Holistic treatments for TMD come with minimal risks associated and with short recovery periods.
Open-joint surgeries come with the risks typically associated with most surgeries but they can be negated with a few safety measures.

How long does it take to recover from TMD?
In general, TMD does not take very long to recover from. Holistic methods make the process gradual, but medication or surgery make the process much faster- cutting down the recovery time to barely a few weeks.