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TMJ
Disorders
TMJ
(temporomandibular joint) disorders are problems related to your
jaw joint. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more
serious conditions, early detection and treatment are
important. If you have pain in your jaw joints or find it
difficult to open or close your mouth without causing pain, then
you may suffer from a TMJ disorder.
Once
an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of temporomandibular
disorder, Dr. Noble, Morris, Barbick, Beehner, Haden, Jacobs or
Suden will determine the proper course of treatment. There are
various treatment options that can be utilized to improve your
TMJ disorder.
There
are several ways in which relief can be initially provided once
a diagnosis is obtained. A mouth bite appliance can be made to
stop teeth grinding especially during the night. In
addition, certain patients respond well to over the counter
anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, and sometimes
the use of muscle relaxants is beneficial. Using a
physical therapist or chiropractor is advantageous to patients
who have a TMJ disorder;these therapies will treat myofascial
muscular disorders which can be interrelated to TMJ problems.
Stress reduction also helps with the recovery of TMJ issues. The
majority of patients with TMJ disorders respond well to this
nonsurgical management, but this takes time and effort on your
behalf.
There
are certain patients who do not respond well to this approach
and over time may require a surgical procedure to alleviate
their TMJ disorder. The doctors at Oral Facial Surgery Institute
have treated numerous TMJ patients with arthocentesis,
arthroscopic surgery, arthroplasty, and total temporomandibular
joint reconstruction.
Arthrocentesis
– This is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed
in our office. It involves lysis and lavage within the
temporomandibular joint, which is the washing and manipulation
of the joint under general or intravenous anesthesia.
Arthroscopic
Surgery –A procedure performed through a small instrument with
a tiny camera attached. This too, involves lysis and lavage of
the joint and in some cases, repositioning of a displaced disc.
Open
Arthroplasty – A procedure performed by making an incision
most often in a skin crease in front of the ear. This procedure
is normally aimed at repairing or repositioning a displaced disc
but sometimes can result in disc removal (menisectomy). If a
disc is removed there are many techniques used today to attempt
replacement.
Total
Joint Replacement - A
procedure performed by sometimes making two incisions, one in
front of the ear as in open arthroplasty and one just under the
angle of the jaw. This procedure is reserved for more severe and
chronic conditions that will not respond to other surgical
treatment modalities.
If
you have any symptoms of a TMJ disorder that is limiting your
jaw function or causing discomfort, please contact one of our
offices to schedule an exam and consultation.
The Oral Facial Surgery Institute
has four convenient locations to meet your needs.
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