Symptoms
Temporomandibular joint pain can manifest itself in many different ways: Often the treating physician does not refer to problems in the mouth, since the symptoms that occur have nothing to do with the oral cavity at first. Patients with severe headaches are very often only treated symptomatically with painkillers or similar. In patients with temporomandibular joint problems, headaches can be the result of tension in the entire head and neck musculature, as well as being caused directly by the temporomandibular joint.
In this case, pure pain therapy will only provide short-term relief, but the cause is not eliminated and continues to cause pain. In patients who suffer from persistent severe headaches and for whom all other causes have already been largely excluded, a visit to a dentist specialized in CMD (Craniomandibular Dysfunction) is therefore recommended. Infections of the ear can also spread to the jaw joint and cause pain. If the temporomandibular joint hurts after waking up or in stressful situations, teeth grinding is the cause in most cases. The dentist can easily determine this because of flattened teeth.
Therapy
For an individual therapy it is important to first make an exact diagnosis. If the dentures or fillings are too high, grinding them in helps. The dentist uses occlusion foil on which he lets the patient bite.
On the tooth in question, a colored dot is now visible at the point of the disturbing contact, which can be ground away. Malpositioned teeth can be treated orthodontically. If grinding and pressing are the cause of temporomandibular joint pain, splint therapy is necessary.
Alginate impressions are taken of the patient which are used in the dental laboratory to make a plaster model. On this model a splint made of plastic is made which the patient should wear at night (in particularly severe cases also during the day). With the help of this splint the bite is blocked and thus prevents the teeth from rubbing against each other, which relieves the temporomandibular joint.
Occlusal splint Tensions of the chewing muscles can be relieved by certain loosening exercises. Inflammations in the neck and ear area, or in the joint itself, must be treated with antibiotics. In general, it can be said that the mere administration of painkillers is not sufficient treatment. They only combat the symptoms, not the causes of the pain, and can lead to addiction if taken over a longer period of time.
