Tmj Disorders 101: Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Tmj Treatment In Brandon

By Author: Cynthia Bowers
Total Articles: 8
Comment this article

Health experts from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research claim that TMJ disorders affect roughly five to twelve percent of the entire U.S. population. The worst part is that TMJ disorders can be difficult for people to identify as they can easily mistake TMJ disorder symptoms as fatigue or stress, which may lead to the condition remaining undiagnosed.

Symptoms to Look Out For

TMJ disorders will often cause a variety of symptoms depending on how far along the condition has progressed. Some of the most common TMJ disorder symptoms include:

• Jaw and/or neck pain
• Pain while chewing or speaking
• Stiff jaw muscles
• A “locking” sensation when opening the mouth
• Popping or clicking sound when opening and closing your mouth
• Changes in the alignment of your upper and lower teeth

Knowing is half the battle, so regularly check yourself for these symptoms. Take note, however, that every case is unique. This means you may not experience all of these symptoms.

Diagnosing TMJ Disorders

If you notice that you are suffering from ...
... one of the symptoms above and the symptom(s) persist, your first reaction may be to schedule an appointment for TMJ treatment in Brandon. Although it is understandable that you want the issue resolved, it is important that you have your situation assessed first.

Your doctor will want to perform a physical exam to understand the condition of your jaw better. He or she may also want to have dental X-rays or a CT scan done to see more detailed images of the bones involved in your jaw.

TMJ Treatment Options

Since every case is different from one another, TMJ treatment in Brandon will ultimately depend on the results of the tests your doctor ordered. However, your doctor may prescribe a painkiller or muscle relaxant to help you cope with any stiffness or painful episodes. Be sure to take any medication prescribed as instructed.

Milder cases may be treated through therapy sessions. This is often preferred since these therapeutic sessions do not require any unnecessary surgical procedures. Your doctor may provide you with special oral splints (occlusal appliances) to help prevent teeth grinding. Other therapeutic treatments may include electrical stimulation, ultrasound, trigger point injections, and more.

If you would like to learn more about TMJ disorders, kindly visit MayoClinic.org.