Westcoast International Dental Clinic Vietnam

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) Treatment

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) Treatment to Relieve Pain

TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) treatment is particularly effective in jaw pain relief. If you ever look at a grinning skull, you’ll notice the ball-in-socket joint where the lower jaw fits into place. This is the temporomandibular joint, which allows your mouth to open and close. Sometimes this joint suffers an injury leading to intense pain in the immediate area around it. Teeth misalignment, tooth grinding, stress or bad posture can also cause this pain. All of this can lead to temporomandibular joint syndrome and prompt the need for jaw pain treatment.

TMJ Treatment

Temporomandibular joint syndrome encompasses a range of symptoms affecting the jaw, ears, head and muscles. They include pain, clicking or popping of the jaw or ears, as well as headaches. Sufferers can experience tight, painful jaw muscles, temple pain or even locking of the jaw itself. All these symptoms indicate a need for TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) treatment.

What are the risk factors?

There are many factors that can lead to a need for TMJ treatment. It is particularly prevalent in women aged from 18–44 years old, as well as patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis. Stress is a factor that can lead to clenched jaw and tension in the muscles. Bad posture similarly contributes to irregularities in jaw muscle movement.

Genetics also plays a factor in the need for TMJ treatment. Some people are genetically predisposed to high levels of pain sensitivity. These people have naturally heightened stress responses, leaving them susceptible to TMJ pain. It can also affect people with jaw injuries or misaligned teeth. TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) treatment may be a likely need for those with these risk factors.

What causes TMJ?

Dental professionals have yet to determine the mechanics of TMJ syndrome as there are many factors contributing to the disease. They can only observe the impact on the function of the joint and the muscular tightness. This is what usually indicates a need for TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) treatment.

This is the reason why symptoms associated with the disease may be causes or effects. Some cases are clearer than others. Tooth malocclusion and jaw trauma are most likely causes of TMJ syndrome, as is teeth grinding. Poor posture, stress and anxiety could be a cause or an outcome leading to TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) treatment. In other cases the relationship is more mysterious, as in the case of inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders. Arthritis, orthodontic braces and a gum chewing habit can all lead to a need for jaw pain treatment.

TMJ symptoms

People in need of TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) treatment suffer from limited jaw mobility. They experience pain that intensifies when they open the jaw wider, or when shifting the jaw to the side. They will usually face pain and discomfort to the shoulder and neck, and suffer from chronic fatigue.

Another indication that jaw pain treatment is necessary concerns jaw noises. Sufferers will hear a grating, popping or clicking noise when moving the jaw, or clenching and grinding during sleep. Patients with hearing loss, ringing ears or earache may also need TMJ treatment, as may those with headaches or migraines.

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) treatments

Dental specialists follow high moral guidelines in their approach to offering TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) treatment. They will often coordinate care with experts from other medical fields. At Westcoast International, we often collaborate with specialists from Maple Healthcare Center to offer jaw pain relief. This can incorporate interviews with physiotherapists, bone and joint specialists and other trained dental experts.

In many cases, patients can find dramatic relief with dental TMJ treatment such as:

Adjustments to the height of the natural teeth (or old restorations) to balance the bite. Some patients have locked-in bites and develop TMJ pain over time. Check our article Anterior Guidance – Why it Matters for more information on occlusion and a “good bite”.
A custom-made occlusal splint (bite guard), worn at night to reduce jaw strain from clenching and grinding. This TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) treatment can make sleep more comfortable.
Analgesics and muscle relaxants on prescription for jaw pain relief.
Joint massage and exercises may be helpful.
Dental restorations, replacement of missing teeth and/or other dental treatments are possible long term solutions. This can stop a bad bite from causing stress on the TMJ.
Physiotherapy using ultrasound or massage and/or adjustments by a chiropractor can help break up inflamed tissue.
Advice on simple lifestyle changes to lessen stress on the joint and soothe inflammation. Stress and lack of sleep are triggers that can make the condition worse.

Westcoast International Dental Clinic Vietnam is the longest established clinic in the region operating under 100% foreign investment. Our relationship with Maple Healthcare Clinic enables us to offer comprehensive TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) treatment for jaw pain relief. Our professionals oversee all of our cases to guarantee quality and long-lasting results.

Westcoast is always here to help you achieve the perfect smile and the perfect you!