Do You Have TMJ?
July 18, 2018
Millions of dental patients every year suffer with TMJ without even realizing it. The symptoms are incredibly common, and treatments are known to reduce pain and correct its underlying causes. The problem is, many people simply don’t understand what they are dealing with. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, is a problem that develops when the hinge-like TM joint has been damaged. This damage can come from a variety of causes, including trauma and stress from overuse, as well as misalignment of the cartilage. In the end, the other stressors on the cartilage lead to misalignment, causing the long-term symptoms.
Symptoms to Look Out For
Most patients who do seek help from a dentist do so because they recognize these symptoms as worth inquiring after. That’s why it’s important for you to understand what kinds of pain could indicate damage to the TM joint. Here are the most common symptoms patients report:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw
- Pain in the temporomandibular joint on one or both sides
- Aching pain around the ear on either side
- Aching facial pain in general
- Joint locking in the jaw joint
- Difficulty or pain while chewing
Seeking Help for TMJ
The best thing to do if you are dealing with temporomandibular joint pain is to talk to a professional. Dr. Duran can evaluate your case, look into the issues with the jaw joint, and determine an appropriate course of treatment if your pain is TMJ dysfunction. Long-term, treatment for this issue helps keep symptoms from progressing while reducing patient pain. Depending on the extremity of the case, treatments involve options like bite splints while sleeping, exercises, or even surgical correction in extreme circumstances.
Don’t live in pain. Contact our office in San Juan, PR and talk to the reception staff about making a consultation appointment so you can talk about your joint pain. Don’t forget to make sure you’re also set up for a regular cleaning when you call!