Jaw joint disorders are more common oral and dental problems than is generally thought. Jaw joint diseases, also known as TMJ dysfunction, that is, temporomandibular joint disorder, can be seen and treated in millions of people every year. Although it is a common type of disease, incomplete information, misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment or misguided referrals in jaw joint treatment are also quite common. That being so, finding an expert dentist and a jaw joint specialist who has specialised in the field, and being able to trust them, is becoming increasingly important. In our article you can find the answers to questions such as what jaw joint disorders are, what the symptoms of jaw joint disorder are, what causes jaw joint problems and how jaw joint treatment is done.

What is jaw joint disorder?

Jaw joint disorder or jaw joint discomfort is commonly known as TMJ dysfunction. TMJ dysfunction refers to all disorders that occur in the joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull. To better understand the position and function of the jaw joint, you can imagine the jaw joint as a kind of hinge between the jaw and the skull. The jaw joint is responsible for the jaw opening and closing properly and performing its basic functions. If a person complains of a jaw joint problem, they are most likely dealing with a damaged temporomandibular joint that causes a lot of pain. Another important point here is that every person has two temporomandibular joints. Each joint is located on one of the two sides of the jaw, right and left. In people with jaw joint disorder, the pain usually starts on one side but also affects the other side and requires advanced treatment.

Why do jaw joint disorders occur?

Now let us come to the causes of jaw joint disorders. Jaw joint discomfort or TMJ can occur for many different reasons. At this point, correctly identifying the cause of the jaw joint problem is critically important for the course of the treatment. The jaw joint specialist you visit is likely to offer you one of the following as the cause of the jaw joint disorder:

• Blows, injuries or trauma to the jaw or teeth
• Teeth clenching and grinding
• Bad habits such as lip biting and nail biting
• Excessive chewing gum habits
• Hereditary factors
• Different types of arthritis
• Erosion or displacement of the disc between the jaw joint and the skull
• Stress, and stress-related teeth grinding

It is worth stating again that correctly identifying the main cause of jaw joint disorder and making the diagnosis plays a major role in being successful at the treatment stage.

What are the symptoms of jaw joint disorder?

If you have a jaw joint problem, you are most likely already going through a period of painful and aching symptoms. However, the most common symptoms of jaw joint disorders can be listed as follows:

• The jaw shifting sideways when opening
• Excessive tenderness and sensitivity in the jaw area
• Tense jaw muscles
• Jaw pain
• Facial pain
• Ear pain
• A feeling of tightness around the face
• Pain in the eyes
• Being unable to squeeze the eyes shut, or pain when doing so
• Chewing difficulties and problems
• Jaw locking
• A clicking-like sound when the mouth opens and closes (click sound)
• A visible protrusion at the jaw joint
• Ringing in the ears
• Headaches that turn into migraines

How is jaw joint treatment done?

After listening to your jaw joint complaints one by one and examining your jaw thoroughly, if the dentist concludes that the problem is temporary, they may recommend one of the following treatment alternatives:

• Avoiding harmful habits that cause jaw joint pain, such as nail biting, chewing foreign objects or excessive chewing gum
• Giving up teeth grinding and clenching habits
• Painkiller treatment
• Applying a hot or cold compress to the painful area
• Acupuncture treatment
• Not yawning with the mouth opened too wide
• Not speaking loudly or singing, and avoiding movements that tire the jaw in this way
• Switching to softer foods or avoiding hard-to-chew, hard and sticky foods.

If the jaw joint disorder in question is permanent and requires more medical intervention, one of the following methods may also be used.

Use of a jaw joint splint: Following a jaw joint disorder that can be identified after a detailed examination and, if necessary, tests using auxiliary imaging methods, the dentist may recommend the use of a jaw joint splint. A jaw joint splint is a transparent appliance that can be applied to the lower or upper jaw and is designed to be positioned between the teeth. The aim is to stabilise the closure of the teeth by keeping the jaw joint in the correct position. This splint is removable and is used to correct jaw joint disorders caused by an incorrect bite. In some cases the jaw joint splint is used only at night, while in others its use for 24 hours may be recommended. Of course, this depends on the complexity of the jaw joint disorder. Even during 24-hour use, the patient can of course remove the jaw joint splint while eating or brushing their teeth.

Physical therapy: Physical therapy is also a frequently used method in the treatment of jaw joint disorders. Physical therapy, which includes jaw, mouth and face exercises, also provides pain management in the area with hot and cold compress applications. When this treatment method is applied, both the jaw joint specialist and the physical therapy specialist should work in a coordinated way and find common ground so that the patient achieves the best result. The treatment plan varies according to the structure of the jaw, the nature of the jaw joint disorder in question and the individual effort shown by the patient.

Jaw joint surgery: Surgical intervention may sometimes be necessary in jaw joint disorders. In such cases, jaw joint surgery is used. Jaw joint surgery is used for jaw joint problems that are at the most complicated level and that are certain not to respond to other treatment methods. Procedures such as open joint surgery, condylectomy and arthroscopy are some of the procedures that can be performed during jaw joint surgery.

Injection treatment: In jaw joint disorders, injection treatment is a treatment method used especially for treating symptoms and pain. Although it is not as common a treatment method as the use of appliances, splints or physical therapy, it has emerged as a method that works in some specific cases.