Jaw Joint disorders (TMJ Diseases)
The number of people with joint pain or joint dysfunction is much higher than previously thought. Changes in neighboring structures outside the joint and systemic diseases cause various clinical findings. Sometimes pain and loss of function can be seen when there is a muscular disorder.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Temporomandibular disorders are a syndrome of pain and dysfunction involving the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and/or masticatory muscles.
Symptoms of TMJ disorders
-Ringing in the ears
-Squeaking, clicking, rattling sound when opening and closing your mouth
-Limited opening or locking of the jaw
-Pain or stiffness in the neck
-Dizziness, fainting
-Pain when chewing
-Pain in the face
-Pain when closing the teeth on top of each other
-Fatigue in the jaw when chewing
-Numbness in the hands
-Difficulty breathing
Displacement of the disc or degenerative changes in the condyle and disc may also occur in TMJ. Differences in clinical symptoms in TMJ cannot always be explained as disc displacement. Function and dysfunction of the masticatory muscles must also be taken into account.
Temporamandibular Eklem Bozukluklarına Sebep Olan Faktörler
•Çenelere gelen direkt travma (kaza yada darbe sonucu),
•Diş yada medikal tedavi sırasında oluşan iatrojenik(hekim kaynaklı) yaralanmalar,
•Eklemin gelişimsel defektleri( hipoplaziler vs.),
-Degenerative joint disorders, osteoarthritis, arthrosis,
-Autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus,
-Parafunctional jaw activities: grinding, bruxism,
-Orofacial movement disorders,
-Behavioral disorders: stress, depression, somatization,
-Major discrepancies in jaw relationships,
-Major discrepancies in dental occlusion,
-Unknown factors.
How Do I Know If I Have TMJ Disorder?
-Have you had any unusual pain?
-When you open and close your jaw, do you hear a clicking, clicking or clicking sound?
-Do you have aches and pains in these areas? Jaw joints, lower jaw, upper jaw, neck, back of your head, forehead, temples.
-Do you experience congestion, pressure or excessive dirt secretion from your ear?
-Do you hear ringing or rumbling in your ears?
-Have you ever felt dizzy before?
-Do you get chills or numbness in your hands, fingers or arms?
-Do you always get tired easily or have you ever thought that you have chronic fatigue?
-Do you have teeth marks on the side where your tongue is?
-Does your tongue go between your teeth when you swallow?
-Do you have difficulty chewing food?
-Have you lost any teeth in the back area?
-Do you clench your teeth at night or during the day?
-Do you grind your teeth when you sleep at night? (Ask your family)
-Have you ever woken up with a toothache?
-Have you ever had a neck injury?
-Have you ever suffered a blow to your jaw, face or head?
-Have you ever had medication not help your pain for a long time?
-Do your symptoms get worse when you chew?
-Do you have pain when you open and close your mouth while pressing your fingers into your ears?
-Does your jaw shift to the left or right when you open your mouth?
-When you open your mouth, can your first 3 fingers go in vertically?
-Do you have asymmetry in your face?
If you answer “Yes” to many of these questions, you may have TMJ disease.
