TMJ Treatment
Portland, OR
TMJ Treatment provided by Dr. Eddie Ramirez
and Dr. Evan Campbell
in Portland, OR at Lombard Smiles
 TMD (temporomandibular disorders) are disorders that affect the facial and jaw muscles. The abbreviation TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. Each person has two TMJ joints, one on each side of the jaw, which help with chewing and speaking. TMDs rarely last long; they usually develop for a short period before dissipating on their own. In some instances, TMDs can be more problematic on their own or with other health conditions such as back pain, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, or sleep problems. For more information about TMJ/TMD, visit Lombard Smiles.
Causes of Temporomandibular Disorder
Any injury on the jaw joints, temporomandibular joint, or adjacent tissues is the most common cause of TMDs. Teeth grinding or clenching is another cause of TMD since it puts a lot of tension on the joint. Displacement of the disc between the socket joint and the ball can also create this problem. In addition, TMD can occur due to joint arthritis, acute trauma, an improper bite, or tension that causes your facial and jaw muscles to tense.
Symptoms of TMJ TMD
TMJ/TMD mainly affects young people and is more common in women than men. You are likely to encounter a lot of pain and discomfort in your ears, jaws, neck, shoulders, and face when you speak, chew, or open your mouth. Your jaw joint makes clicking, grating, or cracking sounds whenever you move your mouth. You may also feel some dizziness, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and a shift in the manner your lower and upper teeth fit each other. Jaw discomfort, difficulty biting, toothaches, facial puffiness, and facial weariness are other signs of TMJ/TMD.
TMJ TMD Diagnosis
Dentists mainly discover TMDs during normal dental check-ups. Your dentist will examine your face and jaws to see the affected areas. The dentist will feel your joints and jaws when you open and close your mouth. X-rays will be carried out to determine the degree of the damage. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans will be used to take images of your jaws, face bones, sinuses, and teeth. Dentists use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to determine whether the TMJ disc is functioning properly.
TMD Treatment
Self-management, nonsurgical therapies, surgery, and other dental procedures are all treatment options for TMD. Self-management strategies are tasks that can be completed independently. These include learning relaxation and meditation techniques, understanding how to control your health, and participating in meaningful activities. Nonsurgical treatments include eating soft foods, using over-the-counter medications, and utilizing cold or hot packs on your face for relaxation and strengthening of jaw muscles. It also entails avoiding habits such as gum chewing, jaw clenching, and nail-biting.
Use a night guard to prevent teeth grinding and clenching. Corrective dental operations such as bridges, braces, and crowns can be used to replace a missing tooth and equalize your teeth's surfaces. Also, make sure your jaw isn't moving too much. Ultrasounds, radio wave therapy, trigger-point injections, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are some of the treatments for TMD (TENS). Lombard Smiles will recommend the best treatment for TMJ/TMD. Call us today at 503-283-2553 to schedule an appointment for your TMD treatment. |
