One common misconception about jaw discomfort is that it’s something dental related. But what if it’s something deeper in your body? If you are experiencing jaw locking, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or pain in the face, your injury is probably not dental at all. You might have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
TMJ disorder is a medical condition related to the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. And while we are still seeing many patients with TMJ disorder in a dental office for management, really TMJ disorder is a medical issue, and does not belong at a dental appointment.
In this blog, we’ll help you gain clear insight on why TMJ is not a dental issue rather a medical one.
The TMJ is a complex and delicate structure containing numerous nerves, blood vessels, and tissues surrounding a joint that can be irritated, misaligned and/or inflamed. Disruption of this joint can result in a host of systemic symptoms, such as:
TMJ disorder is neuromuscular and orthopedic in nature—that’s why oral and maxillofacial surgeons are TMJ specialists, not dentists.
TMJ arthroscopy is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to diagnose and treat internal joint dysfunction. It involves inserting a thin scope through a small incision that provides direct access to the joint space. The surgeon can visualize the joint space and any inflammation, bleeding, air bubbles, or cartilage issues, and treat them immediately once viewed.
This process is extremely effective for:
Arthroscopy also has advantages over traditional surgery: it is non-invasive; it is safe, and it is very precise.
Many patients visit a dentist for jaw pain; then their long-term solution is bite guards or some temporary relief. Not even close to addressing the problem. TMJ has neural networks, body tension, and joint structures; not holes in teeth or gum disease.
When you sleep, your brain and body muscles hold tension because of a misalignment in your jaw and you’re carrying unnecessary strain, but they weren’t created because of decay issues.
If you’ve spent too much effort looking for quick fixes for jaw discomfort, ear ringing, or facial pressure, take some time to analyze where your discomfort is stemming from.
Professor Dr. Luis Gavin is at the forefront as a Maxillofacial Surgeon in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He is one of the only medical professionals we found within this starting mechanism in this region and has offered TMJ arthroscopy with international medical precision.
Book your appointment and take essential steps to achieve comfort for longer through real medical quality.