If you have popping and clicking in your jaw, limited opening of your mouth, or pain in the jaw joint, you may have what is referred to as TMJ. The temporomandibular joint is located in front of your ear, where your lower jaw connects to your skull. It’s the joint that allows your lower jaw to open and close. If this joint becomes inflamed or displaced from trauma, an injury, arthritis or stress, such as grinding your teeth, you can be said to have a TMJ disorder. An oral surgeon can assess your jaw and determine what is causing the distress. Through diagnostic testing, such as x-rays and MRI, the doctor will be able to determine the problem and recommend what can be done to relieve the situation.
Visiting an oral surgeon that treats TMJ Grove City, PA, is the first step in alleviating the problem. The doctor will examine your jaw, check your bite and rule out any additional problems with your mouth. X-rays will most likely be taken in his office and after review, the doctor will probably order an MRI for a clearer picture the examine the condition of the jaw area.
After determining if the TMJ symptoms are coming directly from your TMJ joint, the surrounding muscles or both, the doctor will advise a treatment plan to treat your jaw problem. If severe injury is obvious, then surgery will probably be recommended right away, though this is usually not the case. Most testing shows joint inflammation, muscle tightness or displacement of a disc. If this is the cause of your TMJ symptoms, the doctor will probably start with conservative measures, such as anti inflammatory drugs, bite splint therapy and muscle relaxation exercises. If, after a period of time, these measures don’t bring the desired relief, then surgery will be considered. Luckily, most TMJ problems clear up or are relieved a great deal, with conservative treatment. Bite splints can help keep the jaw aligned properly and will help to avoid nighttime teeth clenching and grinding.
If you have popping and clicking of the jaw that makes you suspect TMJ, visit an oral surgeon who is experienced with all facets of treatment. He’ll review the findings and determine an appropriate treatment for your specific condition.
