TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT SYNDROME

SYMPTOMS

The most common symptoms of the temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJD) include:

• Discomfort, tenderness, and pain in your jaw
• Pain in both or one sides of the TMJ
• Difficulty in eating or chewing
• Pain when eating or chewing
• Facial pain
• Lockjaw, making it hard to close or open your mouth
• Clicking sound when you chew or open your mouth

If a person doesn’t feel any pain or discomfort symptoms on the jaw, he/she might not need treatment. But if a person experiences constant pain in the jaw, he/she needs to visit a TMJ specialist to prevent and ease the symptoms. 

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose TMJ syndrome, your doctor may talk about your symptoms and do medical assessment including:

• Observing the movement of your jaw
• Listening to your jaw when you close and open your mouth
• Pressing on the areas all over your jaw to know where the area of discomfort and pain

Afterward, if the doctor notices some problems, he/she might request the following:

• CT scan 
• Dental x-rays
• MRI

Also, the doctor may request a TMJ arthroscopy, which is a procedure used to diagnose TMJD. 

TREATMENT

Generally, the symptoms of the temporomandibular joint disorder may disappear on their own without any treatment. However, if your symptoms continue or it causes you constant pain, your doctor may suggest various treatment options, including:

• Medications to ease pain include muscle relaxants, pain relievers, tricyclic antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory drugs;
• Therapies including physical therapy, mouth guards, counseling, and oral splints; and
• Surgical treatment or other procedures including arthroscopic surgery, arthrocentesis, injections, open joint surgery, and modified condylotomy.

Talk to your doctor about the possible risk and benefits of these treatments.