There are two forms of TMJ. The most common form is the temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ. This is a condition where people experience jaw pain, as well as headaches and facial numbness. The TMJ can be caused by something as simple as a fall, which gives rise to the pain.
This condition typically occurs when the muscles, tendons, and joints that make up the joints and muscles in the jaw move abnormally, causing injury. This causes the pressure on the bones to shift, resulting in pain in the jaw.
The pain can be felt in the upper jaw bone and the lower jaw bone. This occurs because when the jaw is locked together, this creates stress. This occurs when there is the movement of the jaw from a sudden movement or the crunching of the mouth.
The second form of TMJ Colorado is the temporomandibular arachnoiditis or TMAA. This occurs when there is damage to the nerve in the face.
This type of TMJ involves swelling and redness of the skin around the face. The symptoms may include an inflammation of the eyelids, face, cheeks, mouth, nose and ears. Some other symptoms of TMAA include nausea, vomiting, irritability, fever, headache, earaches, muscle aches, tingling and twitching and difficulty swallowing.
The person who has TMJ may wear a warm cotton cloth to help alleviate the pain. An ice pack can also be placed on the face to provide relief.
A cold compress may be applied to the jaw to help reduce pain. Also, a heating pad can be placed on the jaw to soothe the pain.
When TMJ pain becomes unbearable, a doctor may recommend surgery. If TMJ is not taken care of on its own, surgery may be the only way to get relief. There are several options for surgery:
A Botox injection, or botulinum toxin, is injected directly into the jaw bone to paralyze it temporarily. The bone then adjusts itself and the jaw starts to heal. This method is used to treat severe cases of TMJ.
o Facial nerve blocks are placed inside the jaw bone to interrupt the nerves that cause pain. This method is used to treat serious cases of TMJ. This procedure may be performed with or without anesthesia.
Dental-related procedures may be necessary. Tooth extraction or root canal therapy may be needed if jaw deformities are causing the pain. Other procedures can be done to improve chewing or other oral functions.
Healing of TMJ is often a slow process. People who have TMJ need to keep up with their treatment so that the jaw will no longer be a problem for them.