The temporomandibular joint is the only movable joint of the craniofacial part, the joint includes the articular surface of the mandible and the articular surface of the temporal bone along with other components such as the joint capsule, articular ligaments, articular disc, and post-discal tissue. The temporomandibular joint plays an important role, helping the jaw open and close to perform activities such as eating, speaking, swallowing,...

Temporomandibular arthritis (also known as temporomandibular joint disorder, temporomandibular arthritis) is a disorder of the jaw joint and surrounding facial muscles leading to cyclical pain, muscle spasms, and weight loss. By connecting the jawbone and skull, the function of the temporomandibular joint is impaired, affecting daily activities.

Temporomandibular arthritis is a fairly common disease that can occur in anyone. However, pubertal and postmenopausal women have a higher incidence of the disease.

1.1 Symptoms of temporomandibular arthritis

Temporomandibular joint pain occurs on one or both sides of the face. At first it was just mild pain that went away on its own. But as the disease progresses, the patient will experience continuous, intense pain, especially when eating and chewing.

Pain in and around the ears, the patient has difficulty opening and closing the mouth, and difficulty moving the jaw. When opening the mouth or chewing, it can make a clicking sound. The patient often has to close the mouth to one side, causing jaw fatigue and an uneven bite.

If the temporomandibular joint is in pain, the pain increases when chewing and rattling sounds appear, the disease is in a severe stage and needs to be treated quickly to avoid complications.

Other symptoms such as headache, face pain, neck pain, ear pain, temple pain, fatigue, temporomandibular arthritis with lymph nodes on one or both sides, chewing muscle hypertrophy on the side of the inflamed joint makes the face look pale. bloated, unbalanced.

Temporomandibular arthritis can cause complications of joint relaxation. When the joint is stretched, there is a high risk of dislocation and fusion. When the joint ends begin to degenerate, there will be adhesions between the joint disc and the bone ends. The most dangerous complication that can occur is perforation of the joint disc. If left untreated, a perforated disc will destroy the bone ends and cause joint stiffness, making the patient unable to open their mouth.

1.2 Causes of temporomandibular arthritis

There are many causes that can cause temporomandibular arthritis, of which the leading causes are bone and joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint infections,... Among them, rheumatoid arthritis is the cause of 50% of cases of temporomandibular arthritis. Studies show that the temporomandibular joint is the last joint to be damaged by osteoarthritis, after inflammation in the wrist, knee, and elbow joints. Temporomandibular inflammation due to osteoarthritis often occurs in the elderly, where many joints have degenerated.

Other common causes are maxillofacial injuries due to traffic accidents, falls at work or collisions while playing sports.

Movements such as suddenly opening the mouth too wide, grinding teeth while sleeping or chewing gum tighten the jaw, creating great pressure on the temporomandibular joint and also increasing the risk of inflammation.

In addition, misaligned or crowded teeth or interventions such as molar extraction, wisdom tooth extraction, psychological trauma, and stress can all cause temporomandibular arthritis.

Treatment of temporomandibular arthritis depends on the cause of the disease. To reduce joint and muscle pain, the patient will be prescribed a number of medications such as: pain reliever Paracetamol, NSAIDS such as Meloxicam, Diclofenac, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, muscle relaxant Eperisone,... In addition, The doctor may prescribe additional physical therapy methods such as infrared rays, muscle massage, and hot compresses to increase treatment effectiveness.

If oral and maxillofacial factors are the cause of the disease, the patient will be treated with orthopedic methods such as braces, tooth extraction, bite adjustment, cosmetic dental restoration or alveolar bone surgery. ...

If the patient responds well to treatment, the disease can be cured in a few days. However, in severe cases with complicated causes, the treatment process can take up to a year, sometimes having to live with the disease for life. .

To prevent the risk of temporomandibular arthritis, you should limit eating foods that are too hard or too chewy, and avoid bad habits such as teeth grinding, teeth clenching, nail biting, and chin support. Orthodontics and tooth restoration if the bite is misaligned, teeth are crowded, pushed or missing teeth. When stressed, there should be appropriate forms of relaxation and entertainment.