Treating Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ) In Rancho Mirage
Dr. Christian Luzar Treats Jaw Pain. Spasms, & Dysfunctions
Temporomandibular joint disorder (known as TMJ, TMD or TMJD for short) is a family of disorders of the jaw muscles and jaw (the TM) that can result in pain, spasm, and dysfunction in the complex joints that move the jaw and the ones that connect the mandible to the skull. The TM joint, which is composed of bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments, allows you to open and close your mouth as you speak, chew, and swallow. When the joint malfunctions, discs may slip forward to click, pop, or stick for a moment or lead to headaches, earaches, tenderness of the jaw joints or muscles, dull aching facial pain, or even mood swings, anxiety, and fatigue. TMJ affects 20 to 30% of adults between 20 and 40 who suffer from some degree of this disorder.
Common signs of temporomandibular joint disorder include:
TM disorder may have clear-cut causes such as trauma, arthritis, or severe stress, but most cases are due to a combination of factors. It can develop in some patients who grind or clench their teeth especially at night, a condition known as bruxism. Muscles that tire from this continuous nighttime activity go into spasm, which causes pain and then more spasm. Over time, persistent muscle problems may affect the joints themselves so that a complex cycle of pain and improper function will be set up.
Some current research indicates that TMJ is the result of a centrally mediated sensitivity to pain. Many who suffer from this joint disorder also suffer from other chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, chronic lower back pain, chronic neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel, interstitial cystitis, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Since the causes for TMJ are not always known or understood, treatments differ widely and might include one or more of the following approaches:
Because the cause of TMJ is often unknown. deciding on the best treatment plan can be tricky and may require the input of a dentist. as well as a neurologist and other medical specialists. When the pain is minor, often no treatment is necessary.
If you think you have this condition, you might start by discussing your concerns with either your dentist or your primary care doctor. Dr. Luzar will ask about symptoms, take a medical and dental history, and examine your jaw, teeth, neck, head, and face. He may find the problems are related to wear and tear, dislocated joints, clenching and grinding teeth, misaligned bite, arthritis, or injury.
If you start with your regular doctor, he or she might question you about headaches, ringing in the ear, or neck pain as well as about symptoms common to fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel, and other chronic pain conditions. If your history, along with blood tests, does not indicate that you might have some other pain syndrome, your physician might conclude your problem is due to muscle spasm problems or problems with the jaw joint. Most problems are due to spasms.
If you are suffering from the persistent pain of TMJ, call Dr. Luzar today at (760) 674-8881 for an appointment to discuss your problem.
As a dental consumer, you have the right to know the pro’s and con’s of any procedure, your treatment options, and the out-of-pocket cost to you. We provide you with the information you need to might the right choice of treatments for you.
To learn more about our services, or to schedule an examination, call (760) 674-8881.
