TMJ/TMD Treatment
TMJ stands for Temperomandibular Joint. Causes for TMJ disorders or dysfunction are the same as for any other joint in the body.
Injury, disease, arthritis, damage to the cartilage and dislocation can cause pain and dysfunction of the TMJ. The muscles that move the jaw as well can cause pain and/or dysfunction. So in other words pain can be caused by the TMJ, muscles or both.
Symptoms from TMJ disorders or dysfunction can cause clicking or popping of the joint, headaches or migraines, facial pain or neck and/or shoulder pain.
Diagnosing a patient’s problem is done through the use of several diagnostic tests as well as the patient’s past medical history. The following tests may be used to correctly diagnose a patient’s TMJ and/or facial pain:
- Joint Vibration Analysis
- Electrognathography Jaw Movements
- Electromyography Muscle Activity
- X-rays
These are all painless tests!!
JVA (Joint Vibration Analysis) Test
As your jaw moves there is a vibration that occurs with this movement. Depending on the vibration it allows the doctor to determine if the joints is normal or abnormal. Abnormal joints include: disk displacement with or without reduction of the disk, degenerative joint disease, perforation of the disk as well as if the problem is acute or chronic in nature.
Electrognathography (Jaw Tracker) Test
This allows the doctor to trace your jaw movements and determine if the movements are normal or abnormal. When used in conjunction with the JVA it allows the doctor to determine where and when the dysfunction occurs which will determine which type of splint is used to treat the patient’s problem.
Electromyography (EMG Muscle Activity) Test
This test is painless and measures the electrical activity of your muscles. Through a series of tests this will allow the doctor to determine if your muscles are functioning normal or abnormal and if they are working together properly.