TMJ refers to the joint that allows us to open and close our mouths and chew our food. When pain starts to occur within this joint, there can be a variety of causes. All the muscles in the neck and face work together to help our body function. When any one part of these muscle groups gets out of alignment, it can affect all the functions that those muscle groups provide. Treating this pain can take on different forms depending on what is causing the pain. This is where visiting a dentist that specializes in TMJ in Wichita KS is such an important step to take.
TMJ can begin for a variety of reasons. Due to the interrelationship of all these muscle groups, it can be hard to pinpoint. Some of the more common causes can be insufficient airway in the nasal passage, a poor dental bite, improper posture, and a variety of injuries. The first step when visiting a dentist is for that dentist to diagnose the cause of the pain. This is done by getting a complete history of the pain, and through an examination. In addition to that, radiographs of the neck and jaw are used to take a further look at the problem. A final step in the diagnosis stage might include the use of computer aided diagnostics.
Once the diagnosis is complete, then the TMJ Wichita KS treatment can begin. The first stage of treatment is likely to be some sort of physical therapy. The goal of this therapy is to relax the jaw joint to allow that muscle group to release the spasm that is occurring. This alone will help get the jaw back in alignment and get the posture of the head and neck where it should be. This stage can last three to six months, and it might include using some specialists outside of the dental field.
Once the therapy is complete, the next stage is to stabilize the area. This can be done by reshaping the teeth, using orthodontic devices, or using dental prosthetic devices. The goal of this stage is to fix the jaw in the proper place to prevent future pain from occurring. The final step is the maintenance stage where the area is checked periodically to make sure things are working they way they are supposed to work.
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