Imagine if it hurt every time you tried to say a word or chew food. That’s what it’s like when one has a TMJ disorder. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a sliding hinge joint on each side of the jaw that connects the jawbone to the skull. These joints are pivotal to mouth movements and aid several activities of daily living, such as chewing, speaking, etc. Although these joints are strong, they are susceptible to dysfunction due to damage from overuse, traumatic conditions, lifestyle choices, and other medical conditions.
Pain is often the first sign of TMJ dysfunction, and it can be severe, restricting your daily functions and reducing your overall quality of life. If left untreated, TMJ dysfunction can cause long-term damage to the jaw and other complications requiring surgery. That’s why you should consult a TMJ specialist immediately if you suspect TMJ dysfunction.
There are several treatment methods for treating and managing temporomandibular joint dysfunction. However, some methods are more effective and less invasive than others. If you constantly rely on pain medications to relieve your TMJ pain, you may develop a tolerance for them. Furthermore, the medications only douse your symptoms without addressing the underlying cause of pain. You need a more sustainable treatment plan, and that’s why you should seek the expert opinion of a TMJ specialist at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers – Towne Lake.
This article will reveal effective strategies to help you choose the best TMJ specialist near you in Towne Lake.
Causes of TMJ Dysfunction
TMJ dysfunction may arise as a result of physical or psychological factors. Some of the most common causes of TMJ disorders include:
- Injury: Head, jaw, or neck injury during traumatic events such as accidents, falls, collisions, or physical assault, like a direct blow to the face, can damage the temporomandibular joint and surrounding tissues. Temporomandibular joint injury contributes to temporomandibular joint disorders.
- Arthritis: This is a degenerative condition that is caused by joint inflammation. Various types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can affect the temporomandibular joint, causing inflammation and degeneration of joint cartilage. These conditions contribute to the development of TMJ disorders.
- Bruxism: This condition refers to the frequent and unconscious clenching and grinding of the teeth, usually at night, that puts unexpected pressure on the TMJ and surrounding muscles. The repeated strain that bruxism puts on the TMJ may lead to inflammation and injury, contributing to TMJ disorders.
- Poor posture: You may wonder how your posture affects your temporomandibular joint. Bad posture involving the neck and upper back can affect your jaw’s alignment. Misalignment of the jaw puts extra strain on your TMJ, leading to temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
- Lifestyle choices: Your choice of diet or bad habits like excessive gum chewing can cause TMJ dysfunction. Hard foods in your diet and excessive gum chewing strain the jaw muscles and put undue pressure on the TMJ, contributing to TMJ disorders.
Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction
The following are signs and symptoms that indicate that you are suffering from TMJ dysfunction:
- Severe pain in the jaw joint, surrounding muscles, and all over the face.
- Jaw stiffness and tenderness
- Difficulty or pain while chewing
- Chronic headaches or migraines
- Ear pain and ringing ears
- Inability to open or close the mouth due to jaw-locking
- Clicking or popping sensation in the jaw
- Malocclusion
- Limited mouth movement
How Do I Choose The Best TMJ Specialist for Me?
You may need urgent care immediately after you detect symptoms of TMJ dysfunction. How do you select the best TMJ specialist around Towne Lake? The following is a guide that teaches five ways to choose a TMJ specialist near you:
Determine your Treatment Needs and Goals
After identifying your TMJ dysfunction symptoms, you need to clearly define your treatment needs and goals before searching for a TMJ specialist. Several reasons you may want to undergo treatment with a TMJ specialist include pain relief, jaw realignment, improved jaw function, retraining jaw muscles, improving jaw mobility, etc. After defining your treatment needs and goals, you should seek a TMJ specialist offering services that meet your needs and help you achieve your treatment goals.
Research TMJ Treatment Methods
There are various treatment approaches to managing TMJ disorders. They include medications, surgery, dental treatments, lifestyle modification, and physical therapy in Towne Lake. Some of these treatment methods are more effective and less invasive than others. Therefore, they are more appealing because they provide more benefits than others. As a result, you must find a TMJ specialist who is skilled and familiar with the treatment method you prefer the most.
Consider Experience and Training
Experience plays a significant role in your choice of TMJ specialist. Health professionals who have dealt with cases similar to yours are in a better position to treat and manage your TMJ dysfunction. Also, the training and certifications of a TMJ specialist can help you decide which is best for you.
Reviews and Referrals
The reviews and testimonials of other patients and referrals from friends and family can help you determine if a TMJ specialist is good for you. Search for online reviews from other patients and read detailed feedback posts that describe what it feels like to undergo TMJ dysfunction treatment under your preferred TMJ specialist. If the reviews you see are mostly positive, the TMJ specialist might be a good fit for you.
Schedule Consultation
After adequate research, it does not hurt to meet physically with your potential TMJ specialist to see if they are a good fit for you. You can ask questions that border around their diagnostic approach and treatment methods. You can assess their communication style and decide if they are a good fit for you while they answer your questions.
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Conclusion
TMJ disorders cause severe pain and may restrict physical function and mobility. These effects are sometimes so severe that they may reduce your overall quality of life and lead to future complications. Therefore, you have to consult a TMJ specialist near you for early treatment. If you are looking for some of the best TMJ Treatment in Towne Lake, you should consider FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers – Towne Lake.
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