31 Jul Why Is TMJ So Hard To Treat?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, also known as TMDs, can be challenging to treat because these are progressive in nature and can occur due to a number of reasons. This is why different individuals may experience varying symptoms and the increasing number of treatment options can leave patients in a vicious cycle. It ultimately requires an experienced TMJ professional to devise an effective solution for a specific patient.
The Multifactorial Nature of TMJ
TMJ pains can feel like a puzzle. Mild cases may only lead to clicking or popping sounds, whereas others may experience limited jaw joint movement, problems sleeping for more than a few hours, and/or jaw tenderness. Severe TMJ issues can lead to pain in the head, face, ears, neck, and shoulders, along with difficulty eating solid foods, impaired balance, and a ringing sensation in the ears (tinnitus). The level of discomfort can vary depending on the root cause, but determining these contributing factors can be tricky.
A combination of factors can cause TMJ. One of the major reasons for TMJ is stress and anxiety, which can manifest through physical ailments like constant teeth grinding (Bruxism) that can worsen the condition. Other contributing factors include muscle tension, bite misalignment, inflammation, poor posture, fatigue, injuries, and medical conditions. These can disrupt your daily life and hinder tasks like talking, chewing, and sleeping.
As TMJ has no cure and or one-size-fits-all treatment, so it’s essential to work with a dentist specializing in TMJ to correctly determine the cause and suggest solutions for effectively managing the symptoms. An experienced TMJ dentist like Dr. Margaret Mitchell from the Mitchell Dental Spa would consider all the possible causes of your discomfort and offer a comprehensive approach to provide long-term relief.
Challenges in Symptom Management
As discussed, treating TMJ is not always straightforward. When you treat one cause of TMJ, the pain can often migrates elsewhere. Take a bad foot, for instance – when you have foot pain and favor the other foot to prevent pain, it can lead to misalignment and pain in your hip and spine. It’s the same with your TMJ – when the jaw joints aren’t allowed to function properly, they can start causing problems elsewhere.
When you see a TMJ specialist in Chicago, they may administer Botox. Botox for TMJ is an effective treatment for the muscle tension. However, sometimes fixing one aspect of the problem uncovers another that was hidden until the more immediate issue was resolved. That is to say, these headaches might have been present all along, but the intense jaw pain overshadowed them, so you may start noticing other symptoms when that intense jaw pain reduces after your Botox session.
This underscores the importance of having a targeted treatment plan formulated by a TMJ specialist in Chicago so they can timely anticipate and manage these specific discomforts. If TMJ disorders are left unaddressed for too long, standard treatments won’t work, and this could lead to permanent bone damage in the jaw joint. TMJ isn’t rare, but people don’t often seem to acknowledge it well in time and live all their lives with this debilitating disorder. Find the right TMJ dentist today and maintain your smile and overall quality of life.
Utilizing Advanced Diagnostic Tools
TMJ disorders are complex, but that doesn’t mean they have no sure-fire solution. Diagnosing and treating TMJ requires utilizing cutting-edge technology such as the Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA). This game-changing tool lets your dentist evaluate the stability and function of the temporomandibular joints in less than five minutes and assess whether TMJ is present and if treatment is required.
JVA measures the friction and vibrations your joints produce during different movements, giving insight into their overall health. It offers a precise, non-invasive, and detailed evaluation of the disorder, allowing experts like Dr. Mitchell to treat TMJ more effectively.
Dr. Mitchell is one only a handful of dentists in Chicago, IL, with the JVA technology. This advanced diagnostic capability allows her to provide the best possible care to different patients. She looks at your entire medical history, incorporates your life’s circumstances, stress levels, and sleep cycles, and performs a complete assessment with the goal of successful treating TMJ. With some self-help and professional guidance, you’re sure to feel better.
Tips To Manage TMJ Pain
There are three types of TMJ disorders:
Myofascial Pain: This is the most common type of TMJ caused by inflammation in the connective tissues covering the muscles that control your jaw function.
Internal Derangement of The Joint: This type results from the dislocation of the disc between your skull and jaw or an injury to the rounded end of the jaw bone.
Degenerative Joint Disease: This is a type of arthritis in the temporomandibular joint that leads to inflammation and severe pain.
Based on the root cause of your condition, you’d require a step-by-step approach to reduce your discomfort. It’s critical to seek professional help to diagnose the cause of your pain. An expert can correctly diagnose your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan, combining conservative measures and more advanced interventions.
In addition to this, implement lifestyle changes like eating softer foods, not yawning widely, and avoiding nail biting to reduce stress on your jaw joint. Engage in stretching and relaxation exercises that your dentist recommends to strengthen your jaw muscles and improve their flexibility. You can also alternate between cold and warm compresses to ease stiffness, improve blood flow, and reduce inflammation.
If your TMJ is trauma-related, you might also benefit from seeing an orthopedic expert. If there is a neuropathic pain component, you will significantly benefit from self-care therapies. Depending on your specific causes and severity of condition, your dentist might also suggest dental splints, mouth guards, Botox injections, or anti-inflammatory medications for relief. More invasive treatments might be necessary if non-surgical treatments don’t work.
Proven Expertise in TMJ Treatment
If you’re looking for the right dentist specializing in TMJ, Dr. Mitchell at Mitchell Dental Spa may be the one. She has extensive experience and a proven track record in treating TMJ, making her a top choice for people seeking relief from this debilitating condition. She’s also been voted the Best Cosmetic Dentist in Chicago for 15 consecutive years. Dr. Mitchell combines her cosmetic and general dentistry expertise to offer comprehensive TMJ care. Her personalized approaches make sure that your unique needs are met, leading to successful treatment outcomes and long-term relief.
Book Your Appointment Today
Do not let TMJ pain control your life. With the right tools and the right TMJ specialist in Chicago, you can experience significant relief. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Margaret Mitchell today to devise the way forward. With her unparalleled expertise and state-of-the-art facility, you can expect safe and effective solutions for your TMJ pain. Call (312) 724-2726 now or book an appointment online.
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