Jaw Joint Diseases and Their Treatment

Jaw Joint Diseases and Their Treatment

– Jaw Joint Diseases and Their Treatment

Diseases and treatment of jaw joint and jaw muscles are one of the branches of dentistry. The jaw joint is where the lower and upper jaw meet and it is a complex structure consisting of jawbone and muscle. Thanks to the contraction and relaxation of the jaw muscles and the synchronous movement of the moving parts of the jaw joint, the mouth opens and closes, the person can talk, chew something, stretch. Since the jaw muscles and joints work together, they affect each other. For example, stress-related teeth grinding and bad posture weaken the muscles, causing the lower and upper jaws to converge. When the jaws approach each other, pressure occurs in the jaw joint and this pressure wears the lower teeth.

Jaw joint disorders affect the system consisting of some of the head and neck muscles, ligaments (the hard connective tissue that holds bones together), teeth, cheeks, lips and salivary glands. Complaints about the jaw joint can be not only in the joint area, but also in the jaws, eyes, ears, nose and throat regions.

It is generally one of the causes of headache.

– Causes of Jaw Joint Disorders

Habits of clenching or grinding teeth, biting lips, biting nails, chewing gum
Injuries and accidents,
Posture disorder,
Excessive fatigue of the jaw muscles,
Long-lasting dental treatments,
As a result of excessive opening of the jaw while giving general anesthesia,
One-sided chewing habit,
Some systemic diseases,
Psychological disturbances,
Incompatibility and crowding between teeth.

– We can list the issues that the patient should comply with during the treatment as follows:

Protect their teeth well, take care of oral and dental health,
Should pay attention to the good chin position,
Prefer soft meals,
Should do the chin exercises recommended by the physician,
Compliance with medical treatment for pain, taking medications regularly,