What is temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?
The temporomandibular joint is a skull joint. It presents
at the base of the skull in front of the ear structure. It connects the
mandible or lower jaw with the maxilla or upper jaw. The temporomandibular
joint is composed of a circular protrusion of the lower jaw. It has located in
the opposition of an indentation of the skull. It has a disc-like structure. It
has a soft bone, called cartilage. It has situated in between the articular
discs or two bones.
Therefore, the temporomandibular joint has three parts.
They work together with the ligaments that locate on different portions of the
skull and neck. Thus, it supports the jaw and controls its movement. Apart from
the TMJ, several other minor muscles are joined together to the ligaments. It
also helps in the movement of the lower jaw.
The Function
of Temporomandibular Joint TMJ
The primary function of the temporomandibular joint is to
control the movement of a jaw. It allows opening and closing of the mouth. A
person opens and closes its jaw with the help of TMJ muscles. Moreover, it also
allows a mouth to move forward and backward. Thus, this joint allows you to
move the mouth and you can grind your food. Moreover, it also helps in
speaking. When a person talks, the temporomandibular joint aid to move the
jaws. Some other functions a TMJ performs are yawning, singing, and eating.
Problem
in the Temporomandibular Joint TMJ
There could be a few disorders in the temporomandibular
joint. This can get swell or fractured. A person can have a sore TMJ. Thus, it
gives pain in the movement or any other trouble in the performance. When you
have a swollen or crooked temporomandibular joint, then you feel headache or
neck pain. The pain can also touch your ear, nose, and eye areas. Moreover, it
gives you difficulty in the movement of the neck and mouth. Usually, a fracture
to the mandible or lower jaw is the rarest case until now, but we have seen a
few cases of it. When there is a problem in the articular disc, it causes
intense pain and swelling. In such a situation, sometimes you only need
anti-inflammatory drugs; however, you might need surgery in a severe situation.
Role
of Grinding or Clenching Teeth in TMJ Fracture
Sometimes, a person suffers from bruxism disease. He/she
has a habit of grinding the teeth. Thus, it causes trouble and pain to the
temporomandibular joints. In such a situation, you feel pain in the head and
neck area. Moreover, it causes swelling to the internal joints and muscles.
Sometimes, the ache is unbearable and you do not know the actual reason. So,
bruxism can be dangerous to your teeth, oral health, and the surrounding
muscles. It does not go away with home remedies or pain killers. You need to
make an appointment with the dentist and a physician. Both will examine your
condition, then they can suggest you a better treatment.
What
do You Need? – A Surgery or Medicines?
The way of treatment depends on your condition and the
problem you have. Sometimes you need to cure the temporomandibular joint, while
in a few cases, you only treat the clenching teeth disorder, and you get
healthy TMJ and entire head section. Thus, do not assume that any treatment is
suitable for you. When a patient has swollen joints due to inflammation, then
doctors only suggest icing treatment. In this method, you only need to put ice
on your muscles. However, in a few cases, you need anti-inflammatory drugs or
pain killers. In the case of bruxism, a dentist will give you a mouth guard
tool and suggest you some mouth exercises. However, if your case is not
appropriate for the medicines, then doctors will perform the TMJ surgery.
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