Useful TMJ San Pedro Patient Education Guidelines

TMJ is the abbreviation for Temporomandibular joint, commonly known as the jaw joint. Human bodies have two TMJs and are found in front of two ears. A basic knowledge of the TMJ and related topics can be extremely helpful for TMJ San Pedro patients suffering from different complications pertaining to this joint.

Mandible or the lower jaw, and the temporal bone of the skull are the two components of the Temporomandibular joint. These joints move whenever we swallow something, talk, or chew. Human knee and shoulder are joints of socket and ball type. On the contrary, TMJ allows the distribution of applied pressure throughout the joint because of its sliding nature. There is also a complex disc bone made of cartilage between the two bones. This disc is attached to muscles and moves with the movement of the Temporomandibular joint.

Correct diagnosis of TMJ Disorder is often the biggest challenge for the TMJ specialists because identification of the exact problem area is never easy. An injury to the trigeminal nerve branch connected to the TMJ can easily be confused with a case of neuralgia because both of them have almost same symptoms. A large number of ligaments hold together the two bones of TMJ in their place. A damage to these ligaments results in dislocation of the lower jaw, the disc, or both of them.

Abnormal jaw movement or TMJ pain can also be caused due to an injury to muscles that are connected to the bones. Accurate determination of the problem source by careful diagnosis is the most crucial part of treatment for a problematic TMJ.

TMJ Disorder is a condition where this complex system of bones, muscles, and joints fails to function together in harmony. This type of disorder can be caused by teeth grinding, whiplash, poor posture, bad bite or trauma. You may experience one or more of symptoms like difficulty in swallowing, headache, neck pain, teeth grinding, pain while chewing, jaw locking, etc. if you have a dysfunctional TMJ. Immediately contact an experienced TMJ San Pedro specialist if you face any of these problems.

Evaluation and identification of hard tissues is generally done by using CT scans and X-rays. Electromyography, Joint Vibration Analysis, and MRIs are done for the evaluation of the soft tissues. Modern technology is widely used by the TMJ San Pedro experts to check the stage of TMJ. Jaw Trackers are also used for the documentation of jaw movements. The physical examinations for TMJ related complications include postural, cranial, medical, neurological, and TMJ examination.