The jaw joint, that is, the temporomandibular joint, is a complex structure consisting of muscles, fibers, discs and bones. Inside this joint, there are muscles, fibers, ligaments, a collagenous joint disc (cartilage), vascular and nerve package, and joint fluid (synovial fluid) that keep the joint in place. This structure, which is quite complicated in an anatomical sense, also differs from other joints in that it performs multi-dimensional movements functionally. Most joints in the body make 2-dimensional movements. The jaw joint moves in 3 dimensions: front, back and side. At the same time, in addition to its main functions such as speaking, chewing and swallowing, there is constant jaw movement, including during sleep.
Japanese joint diseases are caused by factors that prevent the harmonious functioning of these anatomical structures. These can be temporary or long-term. Possible causes of jaw joint disorders include trauma to the head and neck region during traffic accidents, the habit of clenching teeth, rheumatoid arthritis affecting the whole body, muscle spasms due to teeth grinding or clenching in acute stress situations, open bite from orthodontic anomalies, temporomandibular joint arthritis and tumors. Often, when jaw joint disease occurs, it feels like the jaw is about to pop out or lock for a moment. In some cases, pain occurs while eating, talking or resting, the mouth may not be able to open very wide, and sometimes a sound is heard from the joints. This disorder is more common in female patients between the ages of 20-30.
The most common joint-related disorders are disc displacements that occur due to the elongation of joint ligaments as a result of trauma and excessive forces. During the chewing movement, sounds called 'clicking' and 'pop' occur during the displacement of the joint disc. These sounds are important symptoms of joint disease.
Other symptoms of jaw joint diseases are as follows:
1- Restriction in opening the mouth,
2- Pain reflected in the ear, face, teeth and eyes,
3- Pain in chewing muscles ,
4- Facial asymmetry,
5- Jaw stuck open,
6- Pain reflected in the ear, face, teeth, eyes,
Joint diseases, simple joint sounds and k It starts with pain and if precautions are not taken, it can progress to limitation in mouth opening and jaw locking. The method in the treatment of joint disease, as in all diseases, is to first eliminate the cause. If, as a result of the examinations, it is determined that the joint pains are caused by orthodontic disorders, it is recommended to correct the malocclusion with orthodontic treatment after joint splint, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmic drug treatment. In this sense, missing and faulty teeth are corrected, closing problems are solved orthodontically, and when muscular problems are necessary, a physical therapist is recommended. The most common application for the joint is the night plate application, which will help correct the dental and muscular relationship. With this plate, early contacts on the teeth are corrected and the contraction pattern of the muscles is changed. After the patient is relaxed, the cause of the joint problem is eliminated with the necessary filling, prosthesis and orthodontic applications. However, if the source of the pain is arthritis or tumor affecting the area, then surgical intervention may be required. The most extreme treatment of joint disease is surgical intervention for the jaw joint. In cases where jaw opening is restricted, it is very difficult for patients to feed and speak. In this case, the joint head is removed surgically.
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