TMJ problem? don't know how to fix HELP?!
Question: So here's the problem. For about a year I've been having it. Whenever I move my jaw or open my mouth, I have this weird thing happen where I hear a popping noise and feel it like, disclocate. I talked to my dentist about it and held my jaw real tight and told me to "make" it happen. I didn't get that for 2 reasons. 1) It just randomly happens. 2) He was holding it so I couldn't. He suggested it was just too much gum-chewing. I thought so too, because I went through a pack of gum in one morning, which about 2-3 sticks in at once (sugarless). I had this habit for 1 1/2 years, which I quit about half a year ago. I haven't had any gum since then (2 sticks or so of sugarless). I had the same popping problem occassionaly, and my orthodontist said it was probably from clenching my teeth, which is another of my bad habits. So just recently, it pops anytime I even swallow (a lot). This morning, though, when I got to school, it popped, and I tried closing my mouth, but it wouldn't close (cont.)
Answers: So here's the problem. For about a year I've been having it. Whenever I move my jaw or open my mouth, I have this weird thing happen where I hear a popping noise and feel it like, disclocate. I talked to my dentist about it and held my jaw real tight and told me to "make" it happen. I didn't get that for 2 reasons. 1) It just randomly happens. 2) He was holding it so I couldn't. He suggested it was just too much gum-chewing. I thought so too, because I went through a pack of gum in one morning, which about 2-3 sticks in at once (sugarless). I had this habit for 1 1/2 years, which I quit about half a year ago. I haven't had any gum since then (2 sticks or so of sugarless). I had the same popping problem occassionaly, and my orthodontist said it was probably from clenching my teeth, which is another of my bad habits. So just recently, it pops anytime I even swallow (a lot). This morning, though, when I got to school, it popped, and I tried closing my mouth, but it wouldn't close (cont.)
Arthrocentesis
Arthrocentesis is the irrigation of the joint. This is the most minimally invasive procedure used to treat TMJ diseases. Because of the low risk and a high success rate, surgeons will typically use this method before exploring more aggressive treatment options, such as open-joint surgery (arthroplasty).
This procedure is typically completed in approximately 15 minutes. Usually performed under either IV sedation or general anesthesia, the surgeon injects the joint with local anesthetic and fluid to flush out inflamed fluids. Steroids may also be injected to help combat any inflammation. Patients are often able to tell whether pain has decreased shortly following the procedure.
This procedure involves minimal risk and is both therapeutic (it can reduce pain and fix the patient's problem) and diagnostic (if the pain does not subside, physicians can use this information to plan continuing treatment).
Surgery (arthroplasty)
Arthroplasty refers to all types of open surgery for TMJ, including disk repositioning, discectomy, and joint replacement. Arthroplasty can range from minimally invasive to complex surgery. Due to the general risks associated with surgery, this treatment is used only after other treatment options have been considered.
Although TMJ surgery is highly successful in reducing pain and increasing the functionality of the TMJ, it does have risks. Swelling, pain, bleeding and infection