The symptoms
Dysfunctions of the temporomandibular joint manifest themselves as muscle pain in these areas, unconscious grinding and clenching of teeth, headaches and earaches, vision and balance disorders, and worsening of kyphosis. Therapy takes many months and requires an extensive action plan.
Cooperation between a psychologist, a physiotherapist and a dentist is required for treatment. Each of them is available at Mio-Dent to determine the cause and cure the problem of bruxism as accurately as possible!
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the mandible to the temporal bone. It is associated with many muscles, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels. It enables us to perform daily activities such as eating, speaking, singing and chewing gum. Its disorders are quite common, although many times confused with other conditions due to similar symptoms.
The symptom of problems associated with the malfunction of the temporomandibular joint is primarily a feeling of pain when moving the jaw. Its cause is damage to the tissues that make up the temporomandibular joint. In addition, the patient should be alerted by a soft “popping” sound heard when the mouth is opened wide, such as yawning, speaking or biting. Pain may also be felt when the chewing muscles are pressed. The discomfort can radiate to the teeth, neck, head or ear, so other symptoms include headache, neck and ear pain, tinnitus, teeth grinding, toothache whose cause is difficult to locate, displacement of the temporomandibular joint, and hypertrophy of the masseter and temporalis muscles. To identify the cause of temporomandibular joint pain, it will be necessary to visit a specialist who will accurately diagnose the nature of the problem and begin treatment. Causes of joint dysfunction include malocclusion, missing teeth, post-traumatic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, postural defects and muscle strain from bruxism or stress.
Diagnostics & treatment
At the first visit to the dentist, the doctor takes a history and refers the patient for diagnostic tests. Based on the results, he diagnoses and proposes a treatment plan. Treatment of the temporomandibular joint includes various types of measures:
Dental – restoring the proper bite by changing the shape and size of the teeth or through the use of braces; in the situation of missing teeth – starting prosthetic or implant treatment; physiotherapy and relaxation exercises performed in our office – oriented to relax and reduce muscle tension and stress; independent performance of selected exercises at home by the patient; use of relaxation splints – specialized, individually prepared overlays on the teeth, recommended by the doctor, especially when the cause of temporomandibular joint disorders is bruxism.
At the Mio-dent clinic, we ensure that treatments are performed precisely, which is why we have supplied our office with top-of-the-line modern medical equipment. Our patients can count on effective treatment, bringing quick relief from pain and restoring the functionality of the temporomandibular joint.