TMJ Specialist in Dubai for Best Treatment of TMJ Disorders

Your jaw is an important part of your body that helps you perform vital functions like speaking, chewing, yawning, and more. The joint that connects your jaw with the skull is called the temporomandibular joint or TMJ. However, when these tissues are dysfunctional (any cause), it results in various painful symptoms called temporomandibular disorders or TMD. 

In certain cases, people with mandibular problems do not feel discomfort at the jaw location. It makes it difficult to figure out whether particular diseases are the leading cause of their symptoms. It is also possible that the pain radiates to other areas like the face, neck, head, and shoulders and can also cause migraine. So, for effective TMJ treatment, a clear picture of the diagnosis is crucial.

Signs and Symptoms of TMJ

Many people experience minor symptoms like popping sounds while yawning or having facial pain occasionally. Mostly, they overlook it, but remember that signs of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) worsen with time if left untreated. 

So, paying attention to recurring, even minor, complaints is essential. Let’s understand a few common signs and symptoms you might notice with TMD. 

Signs of TMD

These are the common indicators that a TMJ specialist will see during the examination: 

• Jaw Noises (Crepitus) – Poppig, clicking sounds while opening and closing the mouth.
• Uneven Bite (Misalignment) – Upper and lower teeth do not fit together due to misalignment.
• Jaw Locking – Restricted movements or deviated jaw. 
• Swelling (Mandibular Edema) – The area around the joint is swollen and inflamed.  

Symptoms of TMD

These are the pains and problems you feel or experience yourself: 

• Jaw (mandibular) Pain – When opening the jaws wide.
• Headaches/Migraines –  Especially in the temporal and forehead regions. 
• Earache/Ringing (Tinnitus) – Stuffy feeling and ringing tinnitus due to mouth proximity. 
• Neck/Shoulder Pain – Referred to musculoskeletal pain for jaw, neck, and shoulder pain.
• Difficulty in Chewing (Dysphagia) – Chewing or taking big bites is painful due to inflammation. 
• Limited Jaw Movement (Trismus) – Partially or completely locked jaw in severe cases. 

Other Symptoms

• Dizziness/Vertigo 
• Difficulty in Swallowing (Dysphagia)
• Tooth Sensitivity or Toothache (Odontalgia)
• Sleep disturbance due to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Several causes contribute to the development of mandibular ailments. Some common causes include: 

• Teeth Grinding/Clenching (Bruxism) – Results in excessive pressure on facial joints and wearing them out. 
• Jaw Injury/Trauma – Damage to the temporomandibular socket and surrounding muscles and ligaments 
• Bite Misalignment – Chronic misalignment leads to bone problems. 
• Arthritis – Causes inflammation, cartilage damage and bone changes with time. 
• Muscle Strain – Nail biting or chewing on complex objects increases muscle strain or tension and causes referred pain.
• Psychological Stress – Results in jaw clenching and teeth grinding, directly injuring the mandibular joints. 
• Structural Defects – Congenital defects and birth injuries affect the formation and alignment of the temporomandibular discs.

 Non-Specific Causes

• Genetics
• Hormones 
• Posture problems 
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Long-term abnormal biting habits 

Diagnosing TMJ Issues

If you are experiencing any of the problems mentioned above, then it’s compulsory to get examined by a temporomandibular joint specialist. During the consultation, our dentist will: 

• Discuss your symptoms (Types, Timing and Frequency)
• Review your medical history (Injuries, Teeth Grinding/Clenching and Comorbiidiites)
• Ask Questions for better understanding (Symptoms Onset, Exacerbation and Aggravating Factors)

Physical Examination

Next is the physical examination where the TMJ specialist is going to:  

1. Observe your jaw’s motion range by opening, closing and moving it side by side. 
2. Place the fingers around the joints and notice jaw grinding or clicking noises. 
3. Locate the site of pain and tenderness by pressing mandibular muscles.
4. Examine your bite alignment by having you clench down. 
5. Check joint locking’s inability to open and close fully. 

Imaging Tests

In a few cases, imaging tests are recommended to get a clear picture of what’s happening inside the articulations. The common tests include the following: 

• X-ray to check joint damage or bone irregularities
• CT scan to get 3D images of joints
• MRI to observe the soft tissues

At Kairon Polyclinic, we use advanced technologies like joint vibration analysis and jaw tracking to precisely measure movements, strain and muscle activity.

Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

The main goal of temporomandibular joint disorder treatment is to relieve muscle spasms and pain, reduce inflammation and improve jaw mobility and function. A few conservative and surgical treatment options are: 

Conservative/Non-Surgical Treatments

Most often, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are effectively treated without any invasive approach. At our clinic, we use more conservative, non-surgical therapies like: 

Self Care Remedies

Simple self-care practices effectively relieve strain on the muscles and joints. These may include: 

• Reducing pain/Inflammation using hot and cold packs over the jaw. 
• Using a soft diet to rest facial muscles. 
• Avoid using crunchy, tough or chewable foods that require excessive jaw movement. 
• Quit gum-chewing habits that overwork the muscles. 

Mouthguards/Splints

We custom-fit oral protective devices like bite splints or mouthguards. These help to reposition the jaw, prevent clenching/grinding to reduce strain and allow the muscles to relax. 

Physical Therapy

Expert physical therapists will perform specific exercises to relieve jaw muscle tension, increase mobility and restore muscle balance and alignment. 

Medication

We usually prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants to treat the inflammatory conditions and reduce the pain and swelling. 

Dental Treatment

If your issue is due to bite misalignment, our expert dental clinicians can adjust, reshape or even rebuild parts of your teeth to fit using restorative dentistry techniques properly. 

Surgical Treatment Options

Surgery is the best option for severe chronic TMJ disorders that don’t respond to conservative treatment well. 

When Recommended

Surgery is only recommended for patients having persistent joint damage, dysfunctions or deformities that are causing excruciating pain and mobility limitations.

Types of TMJ Surgeries

TMJ disorder treatment involves various surgical procedures depending on the condition. These include: 

• Arthroscopic TMJ surgery – A small incision with a tiny camera is used to examine and repair the joint. 
• Modified open joint surgery – Larger incision to operate the affected area directly. 
• Total joint replacement – An artificial jaw implantation.