- What is the temporomandibular joint?
- Causes of jaw disorders
- Symptoms of disorders of the temporomandibular joint
- What are crackles?
- What is mandibular locking?
- Treatment of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint
The temporomandibular joint is one of the most important and complex joints in our body. It connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone, with a joint disc located between them.
Problems with this joint lead to serious problems with the masticatory system, which we use every day when eating, speaking and chewing food.
Any pain sensation, jaw crackling and mandibular blockage are evidence of a malfunction of the temporomandibular joint
What is the temporomandibular joint?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is connected to a series of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels. It connects the lower jaw to the skull.
It consists of the articular fossa of the temporal bone, the articular process of the mandible, the articular disc and the joint capsule. The articular disc is located between the condyle and the articular fossa.
When moving the lower jaw, the condyle of the lower jaw on both sides moves along with the disc.
If the disc was positioned incorrectly, the nerves and blood vessels would be compressed, causing pain. Therefore, it is thanks to the proper position of the articular disc that the proper functioning of the head, neck and shoulder muscles is ensured.
Causes of jaw disorders
Any feeling of pain, jaw cracking and jaw locking indicate a malfunction of the temporomandibular joint.
Functional disorders of the temporomandibular joint can occur for many different reasons, including:
- malocclusion,
- grinding or clenching of teeth,
- missing teeth,
- posture defect,
- post-traumatic diseases,
- displacement of the articular disc with or without drainage,
- excessive or too little mobility,
- nail biting,
- degenerative diseases,
- neoplastic changes,
- acute inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint or joint capsule,
- sprain,
- stress.
Symptoms of disorders of the temporomandibular joint
Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions manifest themselves as pain when opening and closing the mouth and a "crackling" sound resulting from incorrect jaw position and displacement of the joint disc.
Note that jaw pain may radiate to the preauricular area and along the jaw.
The main symptoms of joint dysfunction are:
- crackling in the jaw
- grinding and clenching of teeth,
- jaw blockage,
- restriction or difficulty in making movements with the lower jaw,
- pain in the joint, neck, ears and head area,
- migraines,
- toothache
- hypertrophy of the masseter and temporal muscles.
What are crackles?
Joint cracks occur as a result of abnormal displacement of the articular disc during jaw movement.
An abnormal displacement of the disc is called subluxation, which occurs in the anteromedial direction. The jaw movement of opening and closing the mouth may generate one or two clicks.
The crackling sound may be painless at first, but it can be painful over time depending on the degree of deformation of the disc. Crackling sounds most often accompany eating and opening the mouth wide.
What is mandibular locking?
When the degree of deformation of the disc displacement is so high that the disc does not return to its proper position spontaneously, the so-called jaw locking occurs.
Locking of the jaw occurs as a result of a mechanical obstruction in the form of a disc and may be painful.
There are two types of jaw locking: jaw opening, where the patient cannot open his mouth wide, and jaw locking, where the patient cannot close his mouth.
Treatment of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint
For each patient, the treatment method is selected individually depending on the cause of the disease.
Treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is complicated by its location. It involves addressing the underlying cause of joint dysfunction and the underlying habit. Physiotherapy is recommended to loosen joints and improve muscle flexibility.
Our physiotherapists offer various treatment methods through temporomandibular joint rehabilitation , which is used to restore normal joint mobility and improve blood flow and muscle function.
By undergoing treatment, you can enjoy many benefits, such as reducing teeth grinding, avoiding headaches , joint pain, and neck pain , achieving restful sleep, and reducing cheek muscle tension.
Our physiotherapists in Szczecin are at your service. Contact us to schedule a consultation or temporomandibular joint rehabilitation treatment.
Our specialists in the temporomandibular joint in the city of Szczecin:
- Damian Stucki
A certified osteopath, a graduate of the ESO International School of Osteopathy in England and a Physiotherapist - a graduate of the PUM in Szczecin.
- Rafal Antczak
Osteopath - a graduate of the European School of Osteopathy ESO in Boxley and a certified physiotherapist and manual therapist with 10 years of experience.
- Natalie Raj
Master of Physiotherapy, a graduate of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin.
- Marek Skawinski
A graduate of the Pomeranian Medical University. In working with patients, he places great emphasis on the practical use of his knowledge.
As part of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, we provide the following services in Szczecin:
- Osteopath
- Neurotactin therapy,
- Three-plane manual foot therapy in children,
- N.D.T. Bobath,
- Craniosacral therapy,
- Manual therapy,
- Temporomandibular joint rehabilitation,
- Corrective gymnastics for children and adolescents,
- Body mass composition analysis,
- Computerized foot examination,
- Kinesiotaping,
- Sports massage,
- Relaxing massage,
- Diathermy,
- Dry needling,
- Clavitherapy.