Do you often wake up with jaw pain? Does it ever happen that your TMJ becomes blocked? Do you have pain chewing or problems opening your mouth? Are you grinding your teeth? Many people suffer from disorders or even pain in the chewing, head and neck muscles and the jaw joints.
Craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) could be the cause of your symptoms. This is a malfunction of the masticatory system.
Alternative terms for this painful disease of the masticatory muscles and / or the temporomandibular joints are myoarthropathy or the technical term Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).
The good news: CMD can be treated individually using a variety of methods.
Symptoms of Craniomandibular Dysfunction (CMD)
- Temporomandibular joint pain
- Pain in the masticatory muscles
- Limited mouth opening or jaw mobility
- Blockages when opening and closing the jaw
- Jaw noises such as jaw clicking or friction related to pain
- Hypermobility of the lower jaw
- Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw
- Headache or migraine
- Earache, tinnitus
CMD – therapy and treatment options
Pain in the jaw and face area affects many patients in their quality of life. It is often difficult for those affected to pinpoint the symptoms. In such cases, the most important task of the attending (dental) doctor is to determine the exact cause. For this purpose, an examination is carried out and, depending on the indication, x-rays are taken.
Rail
Treatment with occlusal splints can in many cases have a positive effect on symptoms due to craniomandibular dysfunction. Checks by the dentist prevent any damage.
“When I ate, my jaw joint cracked and hurt. Thanks to splint therapy, physiotherapy and new behavior patterns, I can eat pain-free again. “
Psychosomatic therapy
Many studies show that in affected patients, psychosocial aspects often have to be taken into account in therapy. This is especially true when there is no apparent physical cause for the disorder. Interdisciplinary care is often necessary, which promises very good therapeutic success.
«My front teeth have loosened from playing the trumpet. A stabilizing splint strengthened my teeth again so that I didn’t have to give up my job as a musician. “
Physical therapy
As with other illnesses (for example back pain), physiotherapy and physiotherapy can alleviate and reduce the pain. Different treatment techniques are used, depending on the individual situation.
Medication
Medicinal measures can be used for a limited time, for example in the case of inflammatory relapses, severe pain and muscle tension. The medication should be administered as indicated and the symptoms should be relieved quickly. Long-term medication should be avoided.