• What Causes Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

    Trauma

    The most common cause of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD) is trauma. This trauma can be internal, resulting from habits such as teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Trauma can be caused by an outside force such as a blow to the jaw or a jolt from an impact accident or whiplash injury. In these cases, your jaw bone can become fractured or the disc may suffer damage, which disrupts the even movement of your jaw.

    Arthritis

    Like the other joints in your body, your jaw joint is also susceptible to arthritic changes as you age. Joints degenerate or break down as years pass, this is unavoidable. If you suffer from degenerative joint disease, you will begin to lose cartilage at your joint’s surface.

    Rheumatoid arthritis can result in joint inflammation and also lead to the destruction of cartilage and bone erosion. Both these forms of arthritis can alter your jaw joint and ultimately result in TMD.

    Other causes

    The other causes of TMD are less clear to experts. Some believe that if you open your jaw joint too wide for an extended period of time, this can prompt TMD. If, for example, you are having a tooth prepared for a crown and your mouth is forced wide open, ligaments can become torn and the jaw can dislocate. However, this seldom occurs without a history of past trauma to your temporomandibular joint.

    Malocclusion

    A malocclusion or bad bite can result in the misalignment of your jaw bone and result in TMD. A bad bite can be the result of:

    • Poor jaw development
    • The loss or removal of teeth without immediate replacement
    • A dental restoration that is not shaved down sufficiently
    • An improperly fitting denture or other removable restoration
    • A displaced disc in your temporomandibular joint

    Orthodontics

    Some dentists believe that braces may be a cause of TMD problems. However, there is no study that proves this. In the long run, however, orthodontics correct malocclusion and will ultimately lead to a healthy bite and good overall oral health.

    Stress

    Stress can have both positive and negative effects on your body. It can impact you physically, mentally or both. If you are subject to prolonged stress, you may experience physiological changes such as muscle tightness and pain. If you suffer from a preexisting TMD problem and you are under constant stress, it can make your symptoms worse. You may experience:

    • Tighter muscles
    • Clenched teeth
    • Abnormal pressure against the temporomandibular joint or disc

    Scientists continue to explore how behavioral, psychological and physical factors may work together to cause TMD.

    Diseases

    While arthritis is one of the major causes of TMD, other disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus can cause inflammation in your temporomandibular joint. Also, viral infections including mumps, mononucleosis, and measles can cause damage to the surfaces of your jaw joint and damage the disc, causing or worsening TMD symptoms.

    If you identify with any of the symptoms associated with TMD and you live in the San Antonio area, please see the website of neuromuscular dentist Dr. Brian Hale today to learn more.

    Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/what-causes-temporomandibular-joint-disorder-968617.html

    Random Posts

    No comments Dental Care

     Leave a reply