Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Normal Joint Anatomy
The most common form of internal temporomandibular joint disorders is displacement of the articular disk.
Symptoms of TMJ disorders
- TMJ range of movement may be restricted
- Pain or discomfort associated with yawning and talking
- Clicking during movement of the jaw
- Deterioration of the chewing order
- Headaches
- Ear pain
- Neck tension
- Stress and other psychological problems
Condylar Resorption
Anything that compresses the TMJ (bad bite, bad dentistry, bad orthognathic surgery, bruxism, repetitive oral habits, etc.) will cause bone changes through inflammation. Bone loss at the mandibular condyle has been described as a result of systemic and local arthritides, post-traumatic remodeling, or hormonal imbalance.
The signs of condylar resorption are
- Facial imbalance (receding chin)
- Smaller airway (snoring, apnea)
- Bite disturbances (anterior open bite, posterior tooth wear and muscle pain)
What is Bruxism (Tooth Clenching)?
Bruxism, also known as tooth clenching, is when a person grinds their teeth while not chewing. The teeth grind or rub together as the jaw moves forcefully either from side to side or back and forth. Generally, the person is not aware that they are doing it.
People can grind or clench their teeth during the day and the night, but sleep-related bruxism poses a bigger challenge because it is harder to control.
Symptoms of bruxism
- Worn tooth enamel
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw pain and stiffness
- Grinding or clenching teeth at the audible level
- Flattened, broken or loose teeth
- Headache
Splint Treatment
When worn, splints allow jaw muscles and ligaments to relax, therefore preventing the occurrence of teeth grinding, clenching or other jaw reactions that may trigger TMJ pain and discomfort.
Another benefit to splint therapy, especially in the case of people who grind their teeth, is that splints can essentially prevent teeth from becoming worn down and help offset the other negative side effects of bruxism.
Splint treatment is a process and regular checks and necessary adaptations must be provided during treatment.