TMJ SYNDROME MANAGEMENT:

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorder- a type of temporomandibular disorder or TMD can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.

In most 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, arthritis or jaw injury. Some people who have jaw pain also tend to clench or grind their teeth, although many people habitually clench or grind their teeth and never develop TMJ disorders.

SYMPTOMS:

Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:

1. Pain or tenderness of your jaw

2. Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints

3. Aching pain in and around your ear

4. Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing

5. Aching facial pain

6. Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth

CAUSES:

The temporomandibular joint combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small shock-absorbing disk, which normally keeps the movement smooth.

Painful TMJ disorders can occur if:

1. The disk erodes or moves out of its proper alignment

2. The joints cartilage is damaged by arthritis

3. The joint is damaged by a blow or other impact

4. In many cases, however, the cause of TMJ disorders isn’t clear.