Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is a disorder of the muscles in the jaw and the joint. You might experience jaw pain, difficulty moving your jaw, jaw fatigue, or you may even hear your jaw making a popping noise. When this happens, you might be concerned and may wonder what the prognosis for TMJ is.
The Prognosis for TMJ
TMJ is not considered to be a life-threatening condition. However, it can have a negative impact on your qualify of life if you do not get it under control. How terrible your TMJ can often depend on the root causes of the condition. The best way to find out is to speak with a TMJ dentist.
To improve your prognosis, your dentist must first diagnose you with TMJ. They will observe your jaw's range of motion and will listen to your jaw when you open and close your mouth. They will also press on areas of your jaw to see if you have any discomfort. Depending on these initial tests, your dentist might determine that further tests are needed.
You will likely need a dental X-ray to examine your teeth and jaw. A CT scan will provide a more detailed image of the bones. An MRI will provide your dentist with more information about the surrounding tissue.
Causes of TMJ
If you are suffering from one of several forms of arthritis, you will be more likely to develop TMJ. You may also develop TMJ because you have suffered a jaw injury, have a connective tissue disease, or if you have been grinding your teeth for a long time.
In some cases, TMJ might go away on its own. However, the condition might also get worse if you do not receive a TMJ dental treatment. You may need to wear a splint at night while you sleep so your jaw can heal. There may also be physical therapy options that can help alleviate the symptoms of your TMJ.
Physical Therapy
Your physical therapist might train you on how to perform massages that can help you relieve the pain in your jaw. Massaging your jaw, shoulders, neck, and facial muscles can all help you alleviate your pain and can also help you relax so you'll be less likely to clench your jaw. The physical therapist might also perform mobilizations of your jaw as a way to restore normal joint motion.
For more information, contact a company like Allure Dental.
Share21 December 2020
Hi, my name is Kevin Nelson and I want to tell you about my experience. I had a painful tooth so I went to see my dentist. After the examination, he said that I needed to have a root canal to save the tooth. I told the dentist to just pull the tooth instead and then he explained why that wasn't a good idea. He said that pulling the tooth would cause additional problems and then he told me what could happen. I didn't want any more problems, so the dentist did the root canal and I'm glad that he did. I wanted to write a blog to tell others about the benefits of a root canal and what to expect during the procedure. I hope that by getting the word out, other people won't make the same mistake that I almost did by getting a perfectly good tooth pulled.