Treating Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Temporomandibular disorders(TMD) involve pain in your jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge joint that connects the mandible (lower jaw) to the temporal bone of the skull. It moves your jaw smoothly up and down and side to side and enables you to talk, chew, and yawn.
TMD is believed to be caused by problems with the muscles of the jaw or with parts of the joint. An injured jaw or muscles in the head and neck may lead to TMD. Another dental condition that can cause TMD is grinding or clenching of the teeth. These actions put a lot of pressure and stress, which tighten your TMJ. Symptoms of TMJ include sore facial muscles, cracking teeth, uneven jaw opening, migraines, and locking jaws, among others.
The symptoms of TMD are severe pain and discomfort in the face, jaw, neck, and shoulder which may last for many years. You can also feel pain in or around your ear when you chew, speak or open your mouth. Because of the pain, you have difficulty opening your mouth. You will also hear clicking or popping sounds in your jaw joint when you open or close your mouth. Your face swells and you have an uncomfortable bite.
If you experience these symptoms, you should see a sugar land cosmetic dentist who is skilled in improving your smile and restoring your teeth. He must also be well adept in treating dental disorders and maintaining your oral health.
Your temporomandibular joints are first examined for pain or clicking sounds during jaw movement. You may undergo a Sugar Land dental surgery called arthrocentesis. It is performed when you have restricted jaw opening. Needles are inserted inside the affected joint and the joint is washed with sterile fluids.
Another type of effective Sugar Land dental surgery is arthroscopy. In this procedure, your surgeon makes a small incision in front the ear and examines the TMJ and its surrounding area using an instrument hooked up to a video screen. An open-joint surgery where the entire area of the TMJ is opened may be performed if you have tumors around your TMJ or chips in the joint.
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