People often get confused when they read the two acronyms, TMJ and TMD. Experts may use either of the two acronyms, so people find themselves trying to figure out the difference between the two. First of all, to clear this misconception, you should know that both these acronyms refer to the same thing.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joints while TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder, and both of these acronyms are used to refer to a painful condition of the jaw. The temporomandibular bone acts like a hinge connecting the jaw to the skull. The TMJ is literally pivotal for your overall health, as it is responsible for the movement of the mouth so you can talk, chew, and yawn. Any problem that occurs with this bone or joint can seriously impair your oral function and cause severe discomfort. In case you suspect you may have TMD, reach out to our experts at Elliott Dentistry.
What Leads to TMD?
The temporomandibular joints consist of cartilage on the bones that are separated by tiny shock-absorbing disks. These structures keep the movement of the mouth, up, down, and sideways smooth. TMD occurs when the shock-absorbing disk gets eroded or displaced. In other cases, the cartilage gets damaged due to arthritis and also leads to TMD. Furthermore, the TMJ may also acquire an injury from a blow or excessive strain.
It is hard for a patient to specify the root cause of TMD because there may be a set of reasons. The pain starts almost out of nowhere, and the patient is left wondering what the cause may be. Our specialists have identified three frequent causes for the disorder, which are injury, arthritis, or genetic triggers. The reason in your particular case will be determined by an evaluation of your and your family’s medical history. Another, although uncommon, reason for TMD is the patients’ habit of grinding their teeth or clenching the jaw extremely hard when in pain. When TMD is arising from habitual triggers, the problem can easily be solved with effective self-management and simple treatments.
What Is the Solution?
It is not rare that the symptoms of TMD go away on their own as the body repairs itself. However, if that is not the case, our specialists recommend immediate consultation as the resultant pain can really make life difficult. To help you get over this problem, our dentists can either prescribe you medication or physical therapy, of course, depending on your particular situation.
The primary medications used to treat the condition are painkillers that help the patient deal with the pain. Over the counter painkillers seldom work with this severe form of pain. Hence our dentist will recommend a more potent formula. If the TMD is a result of sleep apnea or bruxism, you will also be prescribed Tricyclic antidepressants in very low doses that help you sleep peacefully while eliminating the root cause of the problem.
While the pain may be severe while it lasts, know that TMD is only a temporary condition and can be efficiently dealt with by simple non-invasive treatment. If you or someone you know is suffering from the condition, contact us at 971-274-4360 or visit Elliott Dentistry.
"Watu wengi huchanganyikiwa na maneno ""TMJ"" na ""TMD.""" Wataalamu wanaweza kutumia mojawapo ya vifupisho hivyo viwili, kwa hiyo watu hujikuta wakijaribu kujua tofauti kati ya vifupisho hivyo viwili. Kwanza kabisa, ili kuondoa dhana hii mbaya, unapaswa kujua kwamba vifupisho hivi vyote viwili vinarejelea kitu kimoja. TMJ inasimama kwa viungo vya temporomandibular, wakati TMD inasimama kwa ugonjwa wa temporomandibular, na vifupisho vyote viwili hutumiwa kurejelea hali ya maumivu ya taya. Mfupa wa temporomandibular hufanya kazi kama kiunganishi kinachounganisha taya na fuvu la kichwa. TMJ ni muhimu kwa afya yako ya jumla, kwani inahusika na harakati za mdomo ili uweze kuzungumza, kutafuna, na kupiga mayowe. Matatizo yoyote yanayotokea kwenye mfupa au fimbo hii yanaweza kuathiri sana utendaji wa mdomo wako na kusababisha usumbufu mkubwa. Ikiwa una wasiwasi kwamba unaweza kuwa na TMD, wasiliana na wataalamu wetu wa Elliott Dentistry. Nini husababisha TMD? Viungo vya temporomandibular hufanyizwa na mfupa kwenye mifupa ambayo hutenganishwa na diski ndogo za kunyonya mshtuko. Miundo hiyo hufanya mdomo usonge kwa urahisi, juu, chini, na upande mmoja. TMD hutokea wakati diski ya kunyonya mshtuko inapoharibiwa au kuhamishwa. Katika hali nyingine, cartilage huathiriwa kutokana na ugonjwa wa arthritis na pia husababisha TMD. Kwa kuongezea, TMJ inaweza pia kupata jeraha kutokana na pigo au mkazo wa kupita kiasi. Ni vigumu kwa mgonjwa kuamua chanzo cha ugonjwa wa TMD kwa sababu kuna sababu nyingi. Maumivu huanza bila kutarajia, na mgonjwa hujiuliza ni nini kinachosababisha maumivu hayo. Wataalamu wetu wamegundua sababu tatu za kawaida za ugonjwa huo, ambazo ni majeraha, ugonjwa wa viungo, au visababishi vya urithi. Sababu katika kesi yako maalum itaamuliwa na tathmini ya historia yako ya matibabu na ya familia yako. Sababu nyingine ya ugonjwa wa TMD ni tabia ya wagonjwa ya kupiga meno au kukaza taya kwa nguvu sana wakati wa maumivu. Wakati TMD inatokana na vichocheo vya kawaida, tatizo linaweza kutatuliwa kwa urahisi na usimamizi wa kibinafsi na matibabu rahisi. Suluhisho Ni Nini? Ni mara nyingi dalili za ugonjwa wa TMD hupungua wakati mwili unapojirekebisha. Hata hivyo, ikiwa sivyo, wataalamu wetu hupendekeza ushauri wa haraka kwani maumivu yanayotokana na hilo yanaweza kufanya maisha yawe magumu. Ili kukusaidia kuondoa tatizo hili, madaktari wako wa meno wanaweza kukupa dawa au matibabu ya mwili, kulingana na hali yako. Dawa za msingi zinazotumiwa kutibu hali hiyo ni dawa za kupunguza maumivu ambazo husaidia mgonjwa kushughulika na maumivu. Dawa za kupunguza maumivu zisizopatikana kwa masanduku ya dawa hazifanyi kazi kwa urahisi kwa aina hii kali ya maumivu. Kwa hiyo daktari wetu wa meno atakupendekeza dawa yenye nguvu zaidi. Kama ugonjwa wa TMD ni matokeo ya usingizi apnea au bruxism, wewe pia itakuwa kuagizwa tricyclic antidepressants katika vipimo vya chini sana ambayo kukusaidia kulala kimya wakati kuondoa chanzo cha tatizo. Wakati maumivu yanaweza kuwa kali wakati yanaendelea, fahamu kwamba TMD ni hali ya muda tu na inaweza kushughulikiwa kwa ufanisi na matibabu rahisi yasiyo ya uvamizi. Ikiwa wewe au mtu unayemjua anaugua ugonjwa huu, wasiliana nasi kwa 971-274-4360 au tembelea Elliott Dentistry.