The temporomandibular joints that hinge your jaw are sophisticated ball and socket joints. They work together with ligaments and muscles in your jaw, thus allowing you to open your mouth, chew food, and speak. Pain, a dull ache or other problems in this area are more commonly referred to as TMJ disorder.
Common symptoms of TMJ disorder often involve a persistent dull ache in front of your ears or near your temples. It could also be related to pain when opening and closing your mouth, biting down hard or chewing.
It’s not uncommon for people that grinding your teeth at night on a regular basis to develop TMJ disorder. However, the problem could also be caused by a past dislocation in one or both joints, arthritis or general inflammation issues.
The initial treatment strategy for TMJ disorder often calls for a two-step approach.
At first the treatment focuses on modifying basic lifestyle choices. This might include eating softer foods, taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medication and using heat packs to relax muscle tension.
If your TMJ disorder is directly attributed to grinding your teeth Dr. Kevin M. Altieri might prescribe a custom night guard. The night guard conforms comfortably to your mouth and allows enough slip when grinding your teeth that it doesn’t lock up the muscles. It also helps protect the biting surface of your teeth.
If lifestyle modification or a snore guard doesn’t improve the problem Dr. Kevin M. Altieri might try more advanced treatment options. This could involve anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxers or rehabilitation exercises. If the problem persists, surgical intervention might be called for.
If you have questions or concerns about TMJ disorder, please call Dr. Kevin M. Altieri at 817-294-5513 to schedule an appointment. Early diagnosis improves your chances for successful treatment.