Temporomandibular joints are on the right and left side of the head, just in front of the earholes. They are always in motion during functions such as chewing, swallowing, talking etc. For this reason, any disorder with respect to jaw joints affects life quality of the patient negatively.
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:
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Pain in lower jaw.
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Sense of fatigue in lower jaw.
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Pain starting in the neck and intensifying on the temples and at the back of the eyes.
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Toothache.
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Facial swelling.
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Crackling/clicking noise coming from jaw joints in opening or closing of the mouth.
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Locking of the jaw for a few seconds in opening or closing the mouth.
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Inability to close the mouth completely.
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Mouth slides to one side when it is opened.
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Mouth cannot open fully.
Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:
Plates called “occlusal splint” are attached to a group of teeth in the treatment of TMJ disorders.
Unlike other plates used in dentistry, occlusal splints bring the joint to the proper position by arranging contact between teeth (occlusion). In terms of treatment it is extremely important that occlusion on the splint should be proper. For this reason, periodic follow-up sessions are required during the treatment.
The frequency and number of follow-up sessions show variance according to the condition of the disorder. Drug therapy can be applied besides occlusal splint therapy as an adjuvant treatment, if required.
