Diagnosis
For the patient concerned, the choice of a suitable dentist is a decisive basis for the success of the therapy of temporomandibular joint pain. Ideally, the patient should consult a specialist who has experience in the field of temporomandibular joint diseases. Already after an extensive doctor-patient conversation and few examinations the dentist will be able to determine the cause of the temporomandibular joint pain. Especially if a malposition in the area of the jaw is suspected, the extensive examination by the treating dentist is essential. The usual examination methods include
Unilateral temporomandibular joint pain
Sometimes the symptoms are one-sided. The reason for this is a natural sign of wear and tear of the body, the temporomandibular joint arthrosis. This disease, which occurs mainly in advanced age due to the constant movement of the joint, is favored by a one-sided load on the joint.
The cause can be unilateral tooth loss. The arthrosis manifests itself through rheumatoid-like, pulling pain that radiates into the environment. Often it is also associated with rubbing/crackling/grinding noises.
Pain when yawning, chewing, speaking or eating, which can radiate into the neck-shoulder region, is not uncommon. If the temporomandibular joint pain occurs suddenly, an incorrect lying position can also be the reason. Less frequent causes are developmental disorders or temporomandibular joint tumors.
They usually occur on one side and can be diagnosed by the treating physician. The causes are the same on the left and right side. Everything that can happen on one side can also happen on the other. There is no information available that a particular side is affected more frequently.
Pain
A jaw joint that hurts can have many different causes. In many patients, abnormalities can be found in the bony parts of the temporomandibular joint. In addition, a temporomandibular joint that hurts is often caused by misalignment, overloading or damage to the cartilaginous discus.
The main problem with any defects of the temporomandibular joint is that they usually remain undetected for too long. Usually, the patients concerned only present themselves in a dental practice when the underlying disease is already very advanced. The chewing muscles can usually compensate for incorrect loading of the temporomandibular joint, for example as a result of arthrosis, for a long time.
However, this inevitably leads to severe tension and disturbed muscle function. At this point, the patient is already in a vicious circle, as the arthrosis is further promoted by the counteraction of the musculature and the temporomandibular joint usually hurts more. For this reason, it is important for patients who suffer from a temporomandibular joint that hurts to seek dental help as early as possible.
Most causes of temporomandibular joint complaints can be treated in their early phase with simple means. In most cases, the preparation of a special bite splint can lead to long-term relief of the symptoms. In addition, most affected persons find the regular performance of targeted relaxation exercises or physiotherapeutic measures helpful. If a temporomandibular joint is acutely painful, painkillers (analgesics) such as Ibuprofen® or Paracetamol® can be taken. It is also possible that the pain only radiates into the temporomandibular joint, but the cause is in the jaw itself.
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