|
Typically, the patient with temporomandibular joint dysfunction will present with episodes of acute, unilateral otalgia followed by continued dull ache in the area. Palpation over the joint while the patient opens and closes their mouth allows the examiner diagnosis by finding a clicking or grinding action within the joint. Pain may be temporally related to chewing and jaw motion and may be worse in the morning if grinding of the teeth at night is the cause. Headaches are also a common accompanying symptom. Ear pain may be caused by nerve irritation, muscle spasms, or degenerative changes in the jaw joint. Treatment is directed at reducing the inflammation of pain, primarily with local heat therapy, soft diet, and analgesics. Long-term therapy is directed at correcting the underlying causes which are typically trauma, orthodontic procedures, malocclusion of the teeth, or bruxism (teeth grinding at night).
|
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
