Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specialists define the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as the joint that attaches the jaw to the skull. It allows to perform the functions of the mouth, such as opening it to yawn, laugh or talk; and the closing and lateral movements, which are the basis of chewing.
There are two types of problems related to this joint: articular and muscular problems. In muscular problems, pain is usually diffuse, more intense in the morning, and generally associated with fatigue and pain when chewing.
It is often confused with headache and ear pain. In articular pain, the pain is more acute and localized in front of the ear. Frequently there are articular noises, and sometimes there could be a blockage when opening the mouth, which is very painful.
The causes of this pathology are multiple, the most frequent being bruxism, jaw trauma, stress, hormonal factors or some prolonged dental treatments. This makes it sometimes very difficult to determine its origin, so the treatment is focused on treating the symptoms.
How to treat TMJ problems
The first diagnosis is made with a clinical examination and an X-ray of the mouth. When we suspect a joint problem, we request an MRI.
In addition, in our practice we are specialists in TMJ arthroscopy, a diagnostic and therapeutic tool that allows, through the introduction of a small camera, to determine if there is pathology and treat a variety of problems. The advantage of this technique is that it is minimally invasive and the recovery is very fast.
Together with the arthroscopy, the treatment of muscular symptomatology is fundamental, which is why a physiotherapist and odontologists specialized in this type of disorders work in our unit, which allows us to provide comprehensive care to our patients.