Similarly, when injected into jaw muscles, they relieve tightness, pain, and wear on the TMJ. Cosmetically, Botox works by relaxing the muscles that, when overactive, can cause wrinkles. One of the less invasive and less painful treatments is the use of botulinum toxin (Botox).
Other treatments for TMJ dysfunction include injections directly into the joint and jaw surgery. It is a disruption in my routine, which can at times leave me feeling restless.
After using a nightguard for a number of years, I tell patients that not wearing my nightguard is like not putting on my seatbelt after I get in the car. Although bruxism has never been a significant problem for me, I wear a nightguard to prevent enamel wear and shifting of teeth. If a nightguard doesn't fit well, it can actually cause shifting of teeth and worsen TMJ symptoms. In addition, custom night guards are molded specifically to a person's teeth and bite. Custom night guards tend to be thinner and more comfortable. Although usually more expensive, custom nightguards are a better choice than over-the-counter versions for a number of reasons. In general, a dentist fabricates custom nightguards. A nightguard is usually fitted to the upper (maxillary) teeth. My night…guard in shining armorĪ very common treatment for TMJ dysfunction is the use of a nightguard, which is a plastic mouthpiece that covers the teeth, and prevents enamel on enamel contact. These issues can occur in association with bruxism, excessive jaw clenching, jaw trauma, and at times without any clear cause. When severe, the TMJ can painfully "lock," and the person is unable to move their jaw until the joint is realigned, which can at times require surgery. These problems are usually due to the misalignment or damage that has occurred to the tendons, ligaments, and/or cartilage involved with jaw movements. I can often feel, and at times hear, the dysfunction in the joint. During the examination, I palpate the joint, while the patient makes different jaw movements. As a headache specialist, I routinely evaluate the TMJ. Snap, crackle, popĪ number of studies have shown that TMJ dysfunction can exacerbate headache disorders, and that successful treatment of TMJ dysfunction can improve the headache disorder. Some people who suffer from bruxism are first diagnosed during routine dental visits when enamel destruction is noted. Bruxism over time can cause destruction of tooth enamel, the formation of gaps between teeth as teeth start to shift, and damage to the TMJ joint. People with nocturnal bruxism often wake up the next morning with tightness and soreness of the jaw muscles. Since it occurs during sleep, many people are unaware that they're even doing it, but the noise generated can be unbearable for a sleep partner. For many people this occurs at night during sleep (nocturnal bruxism). Grinding of the teeth, also known as bruxism, is a very common problem. Like so many parts of the human body, the TMJ usually only receives attention when something goes wrong. Structurally, the TMJ is a complex joint that involves multiple muscles working in concert with uniquely shaped cartilage to allow for the powerful actions of chewing, as well as the fine movements involved with speech.
We all know from "Shark Week" that sharks do not actually have a TMJ, but you get the idea. Without a TMJ, McGruff the crime dog would not be able to "Take a bite out of crime," and Jaws would have never become a savage predatory superstar of the deep blue sea.
Functionally, it facilitates eating, talking, and facial expressions. Mechanically, the TMJ is what allows you to open and close your mouth, and to a lesser extent, extend and move your jaw from side to side. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most heavily utilized and underappreciated joints in the human body.
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