What is temporomandibular joint disorder? How is the treatment?

Temporomandibular joint disorder is a complex pathology and is diverse in symptoms. The treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder can be implemented separately or in combination with many measures, depending on the patient's condition. Read on to learn: What is TMD? What causes it? How is it treated?

I. What is temporomandibular joint disorder?

1. What is the temporomandibular joint?

The temporomandibular joint is a freely moving joint between the mandibular condyle and the temporal fossa. Anatomically, the joint includes the mandibular condyle, the temporal fossa, the articular disc, the joint capsule, and the muscles.

2. What is temporomandibular joint disorder?

The temporomandibular joint is a joint connecting the mandible and the skull, located near the ear. This joint is responsible for important functional activities such as chewing, speaking, and opening and closing the mouth.

Temporomandibular joint disorder is a common condition related to the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the temporomandibular joint. The disease can stem from many different causes. The population prone to this disease is common in the age range of 20-40. In particular, women have a higher rate of temporomandibular joint disorder than men.

Diagnosing temporomandibular joint disorder often requires collaboration between many specialists, such as dentists, rehabilitation doctors, and psychologists. Many cases of temporomandibular joint disorder spontaneously subside over time and do not require special treatment. Some severe cases may require surgical intervention or intensive treatment measures.

3. Causes of temporomandibular joint disorder

• Genetic factors, causing congenital temporomandibular joint misalignment.
• Infection and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can be causes leading to temporomandibular joint disorder. Bacterial invasion of the joint can cause inflammation and damage.
• Trauma from accidents, impacts, or sudden mouth opening can lead to temporomandibular joint dislocation.
• Eating hard foods, pressure, and psychological stress lead to involuntary jaw muscle contraction reflexes, which form the habit of teeth grinding during sleep.
• Articular disc displacement (between the condyle and the glenoid fossa).
• Misaligned and crowded teeth are causes of temporomandibular joint disorder.
• General postural disorders such as scoliosis and body asymmetry or psychological disorders can impact and contribute to the development of temporomandibular joint disorder.

4. Signs of temporomandibular joint disorder

Signs of temporomandibular joint disorder include:

• Pain when chewing, talking, opening the mouth: Pain in the jaw angle, temple, and under the jaw can stem from muscle tension, disc displacement, or wear and tear of the muscles and tissues surrounding the joint.
• Pain in the masticatory muscles: jaw angle area, under the jaw area, in front of the ear, inside the ear, and in the temple area.
• Temporomandibular joint pain: Pain in front of the ear and inside the ear is often related to disc displacement or wear of the condylar bone in the temporomandibular joint.
• Neck-shoulder-nape muscle pain, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the jaw, jaw stiffness: difficulty opening the mouth wide, jaw may deviate when opened wide.
• Headaches, earaches, tinnitus, hearing loss, and balance disorders can be symptoms of the impact of temporomandibular joint disorder on adjacent structures such as the cervical spine and ears.
• Swelling of the submandibular salivary gland, tearing, pain behind the eye socket… can be related to damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tissues surrounding the temporomandibular joint.

If you experience these symptoms, you should consult a specialist, such as a dentist or a temporomandibular joint specialist, for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

II. How to treat temporomandibular joint disorder

Treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder: Medical treatment, stress reduction, physical therapy, changing bad habits affecting the joint system, mouth guards, relaxation, occlusal adjustment, occlusal reconstruction with dental restorations, orthodontic treatment,... Importantly, patients with temporomandibular joint disorder need regular check-ups as directed by the doctor for the best monitoring and treatment.

• Medical treatment: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs or neurotrophic medications may be used to control pain.
• Botox injections: Help reduce muscle stiffness and acute pain. This is only a symptomatic treatment and needs to be repeated every 3 to 6 months.
• Physical therapy: Exercises and physical techniques can help improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles around the joint. Massage techniques and other physical therapy methods can help reduce tension and pain.
• Mouthguards: These are devices placed in the mouth to keep the muscles around the joint rested and reduce tension.
• Occlusal adjustment and canine guidance reconstruction
• Full occlusal reconstruction with prosthetics or orthodontics

Arthroscopic surgery is often used to examine and treat problems such as disc displacement.

Surgical measures can include reconstruction, repair, or replacement of structures within the joint.

When the above methods are ineffective, total joint replacement may be indicated in severe cases.

Under the direct supervision of Dr. Dang Trieu Hung, MD, PhD, currently Deputy Head of the Department of Odonto-Stomatology at Hanoi Medical University Hospital and a member of the Professional Advisory Board at Herident Dental Clinic, we are confident in being a reliable address for everyone to entrust their family's oral health.

Contact the Hotline or visit the clinic for timely consultation and treatment!