Symptoms of TMJ disorders

Common symptoms of TMJ disorders include:

• Difficulty in mouth movement,
• Jaw and cheekbone pain,
• Discomfort while eating
• Earaches or ringing in the ears,
• Frequent headaches,
• Clicking sounds when opening/closing the mouth
• Changes in how teeth fit together during biting,
• Neck and shoulder discomfort,
• Difficulty moving the jaw side to side or forward
• Pain when touching the TMJ area or jaw muscles.
  

Possible causes of TMJ disorders include

1. Arthritis.
2. Injuries.
3. Displacement of the disc between the jawbone and socket.
4. Stress, and teeth grinding (bruxism).

Treatments of TMJ Disorders

Diagnosing TMJ disorders can be complex and may involve various procedures. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment options may include stress management, the use of bite plates or splints, or short-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain and relax muscles.

If these initial treatments prove ineffective, referral to a TMJ specialist or an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon may be recommended. Surgical interventions such as arthroscopy, arthrocentesis, or joint reconstruction may be considered in such cases.