A dentist can help in diagnosing your TMJ disorder, and may also refer you to a physician or a specialist dentist for further diagnosis. Because TMJ can be caused by tooth and jaw alignment problems, there are dental treatments that may help.
One of the first people to notice or diagnose a TMJ disorder is usually your dentist. However, your family physician, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, or an oral surgeon can also diagnose and treat your TMJ. Typically, your doctor will check your jaw joints for pain and tenderness.
If you experience discomfort and hear a popping, clicking or even cracking sound upon opening your jaw, it is possible you are suffering from TMJ. This is especially the case if the patient is experiencing pain. If this pain occurs often, call a TMJ dentist as soon as possible and set up an appointment.
Treatments for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) from a GP
The GP may suggest: stronger painkillers. relaxation techniques to reduce stress. ways to improve your sleep.
The Best Type of Doctor to See for TMJ Pain
If you're experiencing TMJ pain, you should see a dentist. Dentists don't just treat your teeth—they're specialists who are trained in the anatomy of the jaw and diagnosing dysfunction in the bite.
Is TMJ treatment covered by medicare? Medicare Part B covers TMJ treatment (even TMJ surgery) as long as it is performed by a qualified physician. If, however, your TMJ treatment falls into the category of pure dentistry, and not general healthcare, Medicare may not cover it.
Untreated TMJ can cause constant tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, that can disrupt sleep and make it difficult to concentrate. Because our body's sense of balance is in the inner ears, the inflammation caused by TMJ disorder can impact balance as well, resulting in dizziness, unsteadiness, and vertigo.
General dentists are dental professionals who have been properly trained in how the jaw functions, which makes them experts at addressing TMJ disorders. General dentists can offer their patients who are suffering from TMJ pain a few different treatment options in order to ease their suffering.
Seek medical attention if you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can't open or close your jaw completely. Your doctor, your dentist or a TMJ specialist can discuss possible causes and treatments for your problem.
Frequent headaches —a constant ache, throbbing, or piercing like a migraine. Clicking or popping of your jaw when you eat, talk, chew, or open your mouth. Ear pain, from a dull ache to sharp, searing pain. Neck and/or shoulder pain with or without muscle spasm, and reduced flexibility.
Sight – your dentist will look inside your mouth for signs of teeth grinding, clenching and alignment issues. They'll also use X-Rays, if they've found evidence of a TMJ disorder.
This can help them to identify jaw injuries, or teeth malocclusions such as a problematic overbite.
Give Yourself the Clench Test
An easy way to test if you have a misaligned bite is by biting down as naturally as you can. Squeeze your teeth hard and note the following: Do your teeth feel like they fit together? Is there no contact between some teeth?
Your best option for diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorder is to go to an oral surgeon. A general dentist can diagnose TMJ and provide some treatment, but an oral surgeon can provide a full range of treatment options.
Remember that for most people, discomfort from TMJ disorders will eventually go away on its own. Simple self-care practices are often effective in easing symptoms. If treatment is needed, it should be based on a reasonable diagnosis, be conservative and reversible, and be customized to your special needs.
It depends on the severity of the underlying condition.
TMJ symptoms last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks. Some TMJ disorders can last months or years.
Between 5% and 12% of the general adult population have some form of TMJ disorder. The condition is twice as common in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) than in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). People between the ages of 20 and 40 are most likely to develop TMD.
TMJ is worse at night because that's when you're prone to grind your teeth and clench your jaw. Nighttime clenching is caused primarily by your body trying to keep your airway open, and while you're asleep your body does the best that it can.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. “TMDs” refers to the disorders, and “TMJ” refers only to the temporomandibular joint itself. People have two TMJs; one on each side of the jaw.
Uneven and careless dental work can misalign your bite, which puts you at risk of developing TMJ. During a dental procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon is responsible for ensuring that your bite is even. TMJ can be caused by poor dental work such as: Poorly placed dental implants.
Myofascial pain dysfunction – This category includes the most commonly experienced TMJ disorders and is characterized by pain and discomfort in the jaw muscles, neck and head. Internal TMJ derangement – Internal derangement is the most serious category of TMJ disorders.
Reasons Your Jaw Is Shifting
The conditions associated with TMJ – genetics, arthritis, injury, bruxism - can prevent the upper teeth from matching the lower teeth, which forces the jaw to shift its position. The shape and position of your teeth might also be causing your jaw to move out of place.
The good news is that most TMJ symptoms will clear up in no more than three weeks typically. However, certain TMJ conditions, especially those brought about by arthritis or bruxism, can last months or years, depending on the severity of the underlying condition.
Simpler procedures such as wisdom tooth removal are found at the low end of the scale at up to $3,000 for surgeries that require general anaesthetic. More complex surgeries such as a jaw reconstruction or TMJ surgery will cost more, potentially in the $20,000 to $40,000 range, depending on what you need.
Cost of TMJ Treatment by Splint Therapy
When it comes to the cost of TMJ treatment, fees can vary widely depending on the severity and cause of your symptoms. Oral splints are available within a price range of Rs 500 to Rs 3500.