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Tackling TMJ Disorders: From Diagnosis to Specialized Oral Surgeon Interventions

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause pain and inflammation in your jaw joint. The condition is quite common and can significantly reduce the quality of someone’s life. Fortunately, our oral surgeon in Melbourne, FL, can treat TMJ disorders.

Oral Surgeon Discusses TMJ Disorder

The temporomandibular joint is where the jaw attaches to the skull; there are two TMJs, one on each side of the face. It moves the jaw for speaking and eating. The joint can be felt by putting an index finger in front of one ear and then opening/closing the mouth. A temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) occurs when something injures or damages the joint’s bones, muscles, or connective tissue.

TMJ disorder is an umbrella term for a group of about 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint and muscles that control the jaw.

Between 5 and 12 percent of people in the United States have a TMJ disorder. Unlike other chronic conditions, TMJ disorders tend to affect younger people. They are also more common in women than in men.

The exact cause of a patient’s TMJ symptoms can be difficult to determine, as the pain can result from a combination of genetics, arthritis, jaw injury, or other factors. Some people with jaw pain clench or grind their teeth, a condition known as bruxism.

In many cases, TMJ pain is temporary and goes away on its own. At other times, though, symptoms of TMJ disorders can last for weeks or months. In these cases, medical treatment is necessary to help the patient regain a high quality of life.

Diagnosis of TMJ Disorders

When diagnosing TMJ disorders, the oral surgeon will usually start by reviewing the patient’s symptoms, which may include:

  • Jaw pain, stiffness, or tenderness
  • Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints
  • Shoulder or neck pain
  • Aching in and around the ear
  • Trouble chewing or pain while chewing
  • Facial aching or pain
  • Limited movement or locking of the TMJ, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
  • Headaches or migraines
  • A clicking sound or grating sensation when the patient opens their mouth or chews

Next, the oral surgeon will examine the patient to:

  • Assess how well the patient opens and closes their mouth
  • Find areas of discomfort by pressing gently on the patient’s face and jaw
  • Feeling the TMJ while the patient moves their mouth

The oral surgeon may also order imaging tests to closely examine the TMJ. These imaging tests may include:

  • Dental x-rays
  • Computed tomography (CT) scans
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • TMJ arthroscopy, which features a camera and tiny tools at the end of a long, thin fiber

Oral Surgeon Reviews Treatment for TMJ Disorders

Treatment for TMJD depends mainly on its cause. Doctors generally like to start with conservative (non-invasive) treatments first, but treatment from an oral surgeon may be necessary.

Conservative treatments include:

  • Medications – ibuprofen can reduce swelling and ease pain; muscle relaxers for those with bruxism; antidepressants that change how the body perceives pain
  • Mouth guards
  • Physical therapy
  • Injections into the joint to ease muscle spasms
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which uses mild electric currents to relax jaw muscles

Surgical treatments from an oral surgeon may include:

  • Arthrocentesis – injection of a sterile solution into the affected temporomandibular joint to flush excess scar tissue and inflammatory chemicals out of the joint; the oral surgeon may then inject lubricants, corticosteroids, or other medications; performed under IV sedation
  • Arthroscopic joint surgery involves inserting a minor surgical fiber-optic video camera and tools into a small hole near the ear; the oral surgeon can then identify problems, remove loose tissue, and realign any structures that may be causing symptoms.
  • Temporomandibular joint arthroplasty – the oral surgeon exposes the TMJ through an incision along the ear and repairs or removes the tissue causing pain, stiffness, or dysfunction.

For more information about managing TMJ disorders, contact Dr. Sedaros. We are the oral surgeons in Melbourne, FL, whom residents rely on for high-quality care. We offer various oral surgery services, including tackling TMJ disorders, corrective jaw surgery to remove wisdom teeth, and dental implant surgery. Dr. Sedaros is also a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.