Many types of pain are misdiagnosed and remain untreated or mistreated for years. A good and experienced TMJ dentist can diagnose the problem and offer you the proper treatment for your problem. What is TMJ though and what are the three types of misdiagnosed pain to see a TMJ dentist for?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. It is a condition affecting the hard and soft tissues of the joint and is usually referred to as a TMJ disorder. Dental professionals usually recognize emotional and psychological factors as playing key roles in the maintenance, etiology and treatment of TMJ. The primary symptoms of the disorder are headaches, neck pain and facial pain. Other symptoms are as follows:
- Pain in the mastication muscles, in the area in front of the ears
- Popping, clicking and grating sounds in the joints
- Inability to open the mouth wide or chew
- A perception that the occlusion (bite) does not work properly
- Jaw locking in open and closed positions
Most patients with a TMJ disorder report a wide array of additional symptoms, which are not directly associated with this condition, such as dizziness, tinnitus, shoulder and neck pain, tooth pain, earaches, mobile teeth or fractured teeth. In addition to dental professionals, other doctors and physicians can also evaluate and treat the symptoms. Due to the complicated nature of the condition and symptoms, many patients have reported visiting several different doctors, such as neurologists, rheumatologists and otolaryngologists seeking treatment and therapy.
It is because of this complicated nature of the condition that physicians need to maintain a close working relationship with a TMJ dentist because the symptoms can mimic a large variety of conditions and disorders. Proper and fast assessment and early intervention for the disorder can reduce the individual and societal cost associated with the care of such patients.
TMJ is usually a chronic and painful disorder with psychological correlations similar to all other chronic pain conditions. People who suffer from TMJ might have severe mood and somatoform disorders, or anxiety disorders.
The etiology of TMJ includes many other causes as well, such as work related traumas. Repeated behaviors, such as raising of the shoulder to hold the telephone receiver to the ear can put pressure to the TMJ and increase the tension in shoulders and the neck. Although few people would consider the risks involved, this repeated behavior can produce pain and exacerbate a preexisting issue.
Proper physical examination is necessary that consists of measuring the of range of motion of the mandible, auscultation of the joints for any sounds, observation of opening and closing function and palpation of the masticatory muscles. The physician should also assess the history of complaints and symptoms, and their impact on daily living and emotional functioning.
Treatment provided by a TMJ dentist involves more than one element and includes home care, medication, behavioral intervention and dental techniques. The most common dental treatment for a TMJ disorder is a hard interocclusal appliance, also known as mouth guard, which covers the maxillary of mandibular teeth. This device prevents grinding which usually causes more severe damage if left untreated.
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