| The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint located | | | | be explained, there are still some cases that TMJ |
| just in front of the left/right ear. It is the ball-and-socket | | | | appears randomly because of an unexplained |
| joint that conjoins the maxilla and the mandible. The | | | | muscular or skeletal phenomena that disrupts the blood |
| TMJ's primary role is to establish smooth jaw | | | | circulation in the TMJ. In some cases, people often |
| movements that include biting, swallowing chewing, | | | | wake up having a TMD, because of an improper |
| talking and yawning. The complexity of the TMJ | | | | resting position of the jaw. |
| structure is overwhelmingly sophisticated and sensitive | | | | Below are just a few common and unsafe habits that |
| because it is comprised of muscles, tendons and | | | | can lead to TMD: |
| bones that reinforce smooth and dynamic jaw | | | | * Teeth grinding and teeth clenching |
| movements. | | | | * Awkward jaw positions |
| There are six main components of the TMJ, namely: | | | | * Potassium deficiency |
| * Mandibular condyles - is the round bump connects | | | | * Habitual gum chewing |
| the maxilla and the mandible | | | | * Fingernail biting |
| * Articular surface - the cartilage of the temporal bone | | | | * Unattended malocclusion of teeth |
| * Capsule - once opened, the capsule exposes the | | | | * Unattended fractured jaw |
| disk of the joint. | | | | * Stress |
| * Articular disc - the thin plate that facilitates dynamic | | | | There are two ways to treat TMJ Disorders: Surgical |
| movements of the TMJ | | | | and non-surgical. |
| * Ligaments - the fibrous tissue that connects the | | | | Below is a list of recommended procedures/remedies |
| maxilla and the mandible. | | | | for people whose TMJ disorder is not severe enough |
| * Lateral pterygoid - is a muscle of mastication with | | | | to require surgical intervention: |
| two heads | | | | * Temporarily refraining from activities that can worsen |
| Without the temporomandibular joints, one will be | | | | the TMD, like wide-mouth yawning, and refraining from |
| unable to perform mouth gestures without | | | | eating hard-to-chew foods. |
| experiencing excruciating pain, so it is important that | | | | * Rehabilitory exercises, stress management and |
| we do not abuse our TMJ's, especially when we wolf | | | | therapy sessions to hasten the recovery process. |
| down large amounts of food or when we chew hard | | | | * Ultrasound to promote better blood circulation which, |
| food. | | | | in turn, wards off accumulated lactic acid in the TMJ. |
| But in some cases, a TMJ Disorder, or a TMD can be | | | | * Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation that |
| caused by a traumatic injury from an accident, or by | | | | reboots weakened nerve fibers. |
| arthritis and muscle fatigue gained from overuse of the | | | | * Anesthetic or pill-form muscle relaxants to block |
| jaw, say in clenching/grinding the teeth. Depending on | | | | painful impulses as the joint/s slowly recover. |
| the severity of the TMJ disorder, the one suffering | | | | And lastly, the following are surgical procedures done |
| from the TMD will know if the pain can be alleviated | | | | on patients with severe or seemingly irreversible cases |
| through self care or if surgical intervention should be | | | | of TMD or when non-surgical TMJ treatments fail to |
| required. | | | | exhibit any improvements: |
| There are several factors that may cause a TMD, | | | | * Arthocentesis - the removal of synovial fluid from the |
| more specifically when one of these areas of the | | | | temporomandibular joint |
| mouth suffer an injury or exhibit arthritis: | | | | * Arthotomy - open joint surgery that aims to |
| * The TMJ itself | | | | anatomically study and subsequently repair the |
| * Neighboring bone/muscle structures near the TMJ | | | | damaged disk of the TMJ. |
| * Gums | | | | * Arthroplasty - the surgical remodeling of the contour |
| * Teeth | | | | of the TMJ/reconstruction or replacement of the TMJ. |
| Whereas most of the time the cause of the TMJ can | | | | |