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Temporomandibular joint disorders
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The term "temporomandibular joint disorders" is collective for dysfunction states in the jaw joint or jaw and face pain region, usually in or around the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), including chewing and other musculature of the head and neck, fascia or both; other. A person pays attention to the temporomandibular joint disorders if the pain or restriction of movement is serious enough and needs to be observed by a specialist.
Disorders of the temporomandibular joint, as a rule, are multifactorial, but most of all are associated with a violation of the motion of the condylar process in the articular fossa or around the cartilaginous articular disc. This disk, formed as a donut with closed holes or a mature red blood cell, serves as a cushion (interlayer) between the joint surfaces. The causes for which movement in the joint is disturbed are clenching and chewing of teeth, trauma, arthritis, bite and loss of teeth. Even trauma with the constant use of chewing gum can be enough to cause damage to the joint.
Diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders
Temporomandibular joint disorders should be distinguished from many conditions that may be similar to these diseases. The pain caused by the pressure of the fingers on the joint with the mouth open, indicates the lesion of the temporomandibular joint.
The patient is asked to describe the nature of the pain and determine its zones. The occipital muscles and each group of chewing muscles involved in chewing (grinding food) is palpated to a general soreness and the definition of trigger points (points from which the pain irradiates into other areas). The patient is asked to open his mouth as wide as possible without having unpleasant sensations. When the patient opens and closes his mouth, the central incisors (normally in the middle line) of the upper and lower jaws deviate from the midline, the middle line of the lower jaw usually shifts toward pain. Palpation and auscultation of the joint during the opening and closing of the mouth can reveal pain, delay, snapping or rustling. The motion of the condylar spine is best palpated if the 5th finger of the hand is placed in the external auditory canal, performing light pressure while moving in the joint.
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