What Are the Causes and Treatments of TMJ Disorders?

Temporomandibular disorders generally refer to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Syndrome (TMJDS). The causes of TMJDS include masticatory muscle disorders, structural disorders, degenerative joint diseases, etc. Treatments typically include pharmacological therapy and surgical interventions.

1. Causes: Masticatory muscle disorders encompass trauma, microtrauma, mental stress, cold stimulation, clenching teeth, and nocturnal bruxism, which can directly damage the masticatory muscles. Structural disorders mainly involve displacement of the temporomandibular joint disc, particularly anterior displacement. The main causes of degenerative joint diseases include continuous abnormal pressure on the joint, biting hard objects, unilateral chewing, bruxism, clenching teeth, trauma, car accidents, and external force impacts on the jaw, which damage the articular cartilage and lead to degenerative changes in the joint.

2. Treatments: Patients with TMJDS can be treated with medications as prescribed by their doctors, such as Ibuprofen Tablets, Aspirin Enteric-coated Tablets, and Diclofenac Sodium Sustained-release Tablets. For patients with severe symptoms, surgical treatments such as arthroscopic surgery, joint lavage therapy, and open surgery should be considered under the guidance of a doctor.