Pathologies of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), also called SADAM, DTM, DAM, include several pathologies related to this joint located between the temporal cranial bone and the mandible and which forms the lower jaw.
Pathologies of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), also called SADAM, DTM, DAM, include several pathologies related to this joint. It is a pathology linked to the joint dysfunction between the cranial temporal bone and the mandible, which forms the lower jaw. It is estimated that approximately 1/3 of the population will have a symptom related to their TMJ.
It can be a muscle, joint, or ligament dysfunction. The causes are multiple: joint trauma, jaw growth abnormality with major shift, congenital pathology, disc displacement, ligament hyperlaxity, bruxism, and inflammatory rheumatism. These dysfunctions mainly affect women between the ages of 20 and 50. They can be responsible for a substantial deterioration in the quality of life.
What Are The Symptoms Of Pathology Of The Temporomandibular Joint?
The symptoms are multiple:
- Pain in the front of the ear
- Jaw pain
- Pain in the masticatory muscles
- Headache
- Noises in the joint (clicking, squealing)
- Mouth opening limitation
- Total impossibility of opening the mouth
- Joint dislocations with open mouth blockage
How Are They Diagnosed?
The diagnosis will be made in consultation thanks to a targeted questioning and a clinical examination. A dental panoramic is often carried out in the service to allow the first orientation. Depending on the first conclusions, an MRI of the joints may be requested, or sometimes a CT scan. From Allure Dental Office, you can find the proper dental treatment.
How Is Pathology Treated?
The first treatment is always conservative: specialized physiotherapy sessions are prescribed to release the muscular tensions induced by the dysfunction and work on all the functions of the ATM (chewing, speaking, and swallowing). A splint will generally be recommended, carried out in the department or with your dentist.
This gutter has the function of dental protection, muscle deprogramming, and joint decompression. Injections of botulinum toxin A may be performed in cases of muscular tension resistant to treatment by physiotherapy. There are then surgical options if one or more symptoms do not improve. Several surgical treatments are possible depending on the pathology presented by the patient. These are performed under general anesthesia.
- Arthrocentesis: This involves washing the joint. This makes it possible to “rinse” the common, break intra-articular adhesions, and infiltrate the joint depending on the pathologies.
- Arthroscopy: This examination allows, in addition to washing and infiltration, to visualize the inside of the joint with a complementary diagnosis to MRI.
- Arthrotomy: this is an open joint surgery performed for various articular disc pathologies. A scar is made in front of the ear.
- Coronoidectomy: this is a section and removal of the coronoid process (anatomical area of the mandible where the temporalis muscle is inserted). It is carried out in a mouth-opening limitation coach in general
- Prosthetic replacement: This is a total replacement of the temporomandibular joint. The pathological bone part is removed, and an implant composed of a polyethylene part and a titanium part is positioned at the mandibular level.
Conclusion
The causes and symptoms of TMJ are many, and the disorder is challenging to diagnose. After attempting one therapy option, don’t become disheartened if your symptoms persist! What works for one person may not work at all for another. Getting your symptoms under control or cured requires patience and perseverance.
