What is cause and best treatment for TMJ?

Question:

2 weeks ago I had a couple of cavities filled. My dentist gave me shots in the back of my mouth on both sides. The right side did not get numb so he gave a second shot on the right side. Three days later I called my dentist because my jaw was "locked" on the right side. I could barely open my mouth, only about a finger width. I thought the shot had not worn off and caused this problem, but my dentist said it was not the shot, it is a condition called TMJ. Caused by grinding my teeth at night and or opening my mouth too wide during the dental procedure. He said I should take 4 Advil every 8 hours and if that didn't work, I needed a cortisone shot from an oral surgeon. It's been over 2 weeks and the jaw is still locked. Although I can open a little further now, about a finger and a half width. Can a shot cause this TMJ? How can I get rid of it? I don't want to get another shot. But will if it actually works.

Answers:
i have TMJ andwear a bite gaurd at night. now that you know - explain when you go in for procedures. had an extraction - #19 and man did i have to open wide. had to stop a couple times as i felt it locking up. then you're shot in the back for the lower teeth it hits right in a large nerve - it can cause the problems and the nerve/muscle (depending on wher eit was hit) might take a while to recover. try warm compresses and also getting a bite gaurd from KMart - in the sporting goods section. it might help alleviate some of the clenching at night and thus losen your jaw without the cortizone shot. i'mleary of the shots as once you start sometimes some people then need more..

Good Luck!

I also have TMJ and I go to the chiropractor which has helped quite a bit.

See as a dentist myself I think it is due to trauma 2 some nerve while he gave u block[shot].
Secondly when u have habit of bruxism or clenching of teeth in night the teeth gets attrited i,e vertical dimension of teeth is decreased so upper n lower teeth cant close with perfect grip.As a result MPDS develops[myuofunctional pain dysfunction syndrome].But it is usually associated with popping sound in TMJ and very rarely closing of mouth.
Also u go for OPG if there is third molar involvement.[most common cause of lock jaw]if any problem contact me with details.molarindia@yahoo.co.in

You might try applying moist heat for 15-20 minutes and then wiggling your jaw to try to get it to open wider. Do this 3 times a day for a few days and decide if you are making satisfactory progress before you choose to get a cortisone injection.

type tmj in the searh line you will get a world of inf. I have TMJ also, my dentist said it is a form of arthritis. When I have problems I message my jaw and apply moist heat to it. I do take Advil also. Do go to the search engine and check out the info. No the shot did not cause the Tmj. Hope you feel better soon.

I like Dr Sam's answer - the moist heat is a good way to go before getting into cortisone inj. you may then need some kind of night guard to disclude your teeth.

FYI - the anatomical structure is the Temporal Mandiublar Joint - TMJ.. The Disease or Disorder is called "TMD"

Saying "I have TMJ" is like a person w/ arthritis saying "I have knee"

What is cause and best treatment for TMJ?

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