Jaw Joint Disorders
Nowadays, TMJ Disorder is the most common type of disorder. It causes non-dental pains in the jaw and face muscles. The main reasons for jaw disorders are;
- Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching),
- Dislocation of the disc between the ball and socket joint (misaligned jaw),
- Trauma,
- Bad habits (nail-biting, long-term gum chewing, stooping, e.c.).
Pains in the jaw muscles, head, and shoulders, grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth, limited movement or locking of the jaw (Jawstiffness), a bite that feels ‘off’, and vision problems are the main causes of jaw disorders. It can cause toothaches throughout the mouth.
The jaw disorders are treated with joint splints. The treatment aims to resolve the pain and restore the mouth-opening function. Joint splints are made for the patient, and the treatment process depends on the violence of the disease. This situation is monitored with controls. The importance is to use the splint as your dentist recommends. Besides joint splints, patients should pay attention to not consuming hard foods, chewing gum, or excessively stretching their jaw and exposure to wind. Moreover, hot compress and massage can be used by patients for their cheeks to reduce muscle pains. In some cases, adding to the splint treatment, physical therapy exercises are played an important role. At the end of the treatment, pains and mouth closing and opening problems are resolved and thus, the patient’s life quality improved.
Joint splints with their prosthesis box are submitted to the patient right after their adjustment. They are kept in their prosthesis box to provide hygiene and not lose them. Their regular care should be with a separate toothbrush and hand soap. After cleaning and brushing them, jaw splints are kept in their boxes before and after their use.