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TMJ is acronym for Temporo Mandibular Joint. This joint is where lower and upper jaw bones connect. It functions to open lower jaw. In this space a disc is located and posterior blood vessels and nerve is positioned. Ligaments and muscles also are also located in this area. Teeth are one of the important factors in proper positioned of this joint. If teeth are not positioned correctly, unnecessary stress can be applied to the joint and cause damage in the joint. All the components that make up this joint need to be in harmony for proper functioned of jaw. |
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- What is TMD (temporo mandibular joint disorder)?
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TMD can show symptoms of pain or not. Mental stress can cause clenching or grinding of teeth leading to TMD. Positioning of lower jaw can also cause TMJ. Also, outside trauma (such as car accident, blow to the area, arthritis) can also cause TMD.
When disc is anteriorly placed, it can squeeze posterior nerve and blood vessels causing pain. Also, when disc is placed out of TMJ, it can lock the jaw and prevent one to close jaw. |
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- These are the symptoms of TMD
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- There is clicking sound and pain when open/closing mouth
- When waking up, jaw feels tense
- Habit of clenching or bruxing
- Chronic headache and neck ache
- Pain around ear
- Hard to open mouth
These symptoms can also occur from muscle pain. When muscle is tensed and pain is relayed to the jaw bone and TMJ. Also chronic degenerative arthritis and occur in TMJ and will have similar symptoms.
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Occlusal Splint will stabilize and help find proper position of TMJ, muscle and facial structures.
Also, physical therapy, exercises, medications, and managing stress will help with splint therapy. |
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- Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Why does snoring and/or sleep apnea (difficulty in breathing during sleep)?
Many people have snoring habit. Severe snoring can cause problem to family members and sleeping mate. Snoring is narrowing of airway during sleep induced by many factors. It results in a snoring noise, it is a symptom of sleep apnea. When we breath, air passes thru soft and hard tissues such as palate, uvula, and tongue. During day, these structures are kept in place by muscles. But during sleep, these muscles lose tension and can cause narrowing of the airway. As the air passes, it vibrates the tissues and causes snoring. In some cases, the loss of muscle tonicity is severe due to obesity or big tongue can completely block the airway and prevent air into lung. This is called sleep apnea. If this condition continues, lung does not get supply of fresh oxygen and it is noticed by brain. The brain wakes up the body system and contract muscles to rebreath. Then one takes a deep breath and continues breathing again. If this continue several times during night, one cannot get enough of sleep and feels tired and/or feel lack of sleep during the day. It has been reported to cause many auto accidents. Continued sleep apnea causes many problems to the lung; induce high blood pressure, stroke, epilepsy and/or many complications.
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- Treatment thru intra oral appliance
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Breathing appliance or surgery has some risks too. Therefore, many attempts to use simple appliance to treat the problem. Such as intra-oral device during sleep to prevent sleep apnea.
There are multiple appliances. In general, some protrude tongue, some protrude whole jaw, and some raises uvula. But all of them try to provide sufficient airway.
Nowadays, new appliances decrease many discomfort patients feel by adding many parts. Its effect is known to be comparable to breathing machine (a machine that positively pushes air into airway).
To get the best result from therapy, consult with doctor. Close cooperation and consultation with doctor can benefit the therapy success. Successful treatment will benefit the patient and many people around the patient. Benefits include mental alertness, good health, and prevention of many physical complications.
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- Teeth Grinding treatment – Night Guard
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According to a research, teeth grinders grind about 1hr and 40 minutes in 8 hr sleep in severe cases. Normal people also grind approximesately 15 minutes. Grinders do not realize that they are grinding, but can notice from grind marks in teeth or other symptoms. Some people do realize their grinding and wake up from their own noise. The grinding must be treated, because it can cause temporo mandibular disorder, periodontal disease, and destruction of teeth. Night guard is intra oral mouthpiece that can successfully prevent grinding.
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