Things to Know about TMJ
- By Mary Marks
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- 08 Aug, 2018
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The temporomandibular joints, usually referred to simply as the TMJs, are the two joints that connect our jaw bone to our skull. The TMJ is made from a dense fibrous membrane called the joint capsule, nerves, blood vessels, bones, multiple ligaments, a joint disc, muscles and mandibular condyles, all sensitive components that can cause uncomfortable, in some cases even severe conditions.
One of the most common issues related to the joint is called the TMJ syndrome. The condition most commonly manifests in the form of pain in the jaw joint, constant ringing or pain in the ears, swelling over the affected joint, headaches, a jaw that becomes locked or is difficult to open, pain the neck and in the face, and should have an evaluation done by a Denver sedation dentist office soon.
There are many causes that can trigger the TMJ syndrome, the most common ones being trauma suffered by the jaw because of the involuntary clenching of the jaw muscles, by nighttime teeth grinding called bruxism or by a blow or impact suffered by the face around the jaw, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or some other type of inflammatory process affecting the face and the jaws. The syndrome is diagnosed with a physical exam as well as with imaging procedures and ultra-sound and it is usually treated with pain relief medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, lifestyle changes to reduce daily stress and a diet made up of soft foods.
Although oral sedation dentistry Highlands Ranch is one of the optionsavailable for managing anxiety and discomfort during oral surgery, you certainly do not need to use it all the time. As a matter of fact, the exact type of sedation or anesthesia that you receive during oral procedures may depend on various factors, such as the complexity of the procedure, your medical problems, as well as your doctor’s preferences.
There can be several different levels of sedation that can be used in oral surgery. Local anesthesia is one of them. This involves injecting anesthetic medication into the specific area where the surgery will take place. It numbs the area and is often used for less invasive procedures.
Oral sedation involves taking medication in the form of a pill to induce a state of relaxation and drowsiness. The patient is still conscious, but he/she may not be fully aware of the procedure. At any rate, sedation helps him/her get rid of anxiety.
In the case of intravenous sedation, medication is administered through a vein, which induces a deeper state of sedation than oral sedation. Patients may still be conscious, but they are less aware of their surroundings and may not remember the procedure.
