The History of TMJ Disorder

Have you recently been informed you have TMJ disorder?  If so, you may be questioning precisely what it is. Many people really aren't informed about the phrase or even the condition. And there’s a very good reason for that. Countless doctors are new to the condition's array of symptoms and its diagnosis, as are many dental practitioners. Taking a quick glance at the background regarding the disorder can help you get a better understanding for your Temporomandibular joint disorder.

The Early Years

Long before TMJ disorder was categorized as a medical condition, people had been suffering from inexplicable jaw pain, headaches, and ear aches. Because the popular culprits, such as sinus infections, cavities, or tumors, could be eliminated through testing, many doctors and dentists suspected the pain was more a psychological problem than a physical problem, meaning the patient's pain was in “their  mind”. This was the same approach conditions like fibromyalgia were first treated by physicians much to the dismay and disappointment of the TMJ disorder sufferers.

A Change in Approach

Nearly three decades ago, a small number of dentists began seeing a connection between jaw problems and these similar “joint” conditions. Those who had suffered dislocated jaws, for instance, appeared to be prone to experience TMJ disorder. As more became known about the body and as technology introduced great advances to diagnosis, some doctors and dentists began acknowledging that the pain most likely was not in the patient’s head.

About 1980,, the medical industry began connecting these symptoms and the TM joint. Even so, a lot more research and studies would be necessary prior to TMJ disorder became an “official” diagnosis.

Studies Continue

TMJ disorder was impacting a large number of adults, principally women, and thankfully many of them were willing to be involved in research studies, especially if it would result in treatment and curing their pain. These continuing research and the findings they were able to publish afterward provided the means necessary to legitimately diagnosis TMJ disorder. About the same time, the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and TMJ had been discovered as well.

The emerging research from these studies meant more sufferers actually got the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatments for their problem. Previously, the only treatment had been prescribing pain medications. Now due to the research findings and their subsequent publication, TMJ disorder were becoming more understood this lead to improved and more effective treatments.

Modern Treatments

 TMJ disorder is often caused by an inflammation in the joint.  When there is significant inflammation Arthrocentesis is used.   This is an invasive procedure. This procedure "cleans" the area around the joint, so anything causing the inflammation is safely removed. Additionally, TMJ dentists also use medication in the procedure that relieves the pain, as well.

We now have a better understanding on the role of stress and TMJ disorder.  Because stress can lead to a number of the risk factors, for example teeth clenching and grinding, which can result in the inflammation leading to the disorder, doctors and dentists are now realizing the necessity and advantages of a psychological element to the treatment.