What Can I Expect From A TMJ Consultation?
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, is a common head and facial pain disorder. Some cases are brief and go away independently, while others can lead to chronic pain. This disorder is disproportionately common in women and occurs most commonly between ages 35 and 44. A TMJ specialist in Dubai will allow you to determine the appropriate treatment for your condition. Before your appointment, prepare a list of questions you want to be answered.
Questions to ask a TMJ specialist:
A TMJ specialist will ask many questions during your consultation, including information about your medical history. This helps the doctor understand if you have any preexisting conditions or take medications that may interfere with your treatment. It is also important that you be open and honest about your symptoms. You may also experience other symptoms unrelated to your jaw pain, and the more information the specialist has, the better they can recommend a treatment plan.
MRI of the soft tissue:
An MRI of the soft tissue is an optional component of a TMJ consultation. It is done to evaluate jaw biomechanics and possible underlying problems. Compared to a traditional X-ray, MRI has a higher resolution and is a better choice for evaluating the jaw. It can also be used to determine the location and severity of problems.
The images should be able to depict the entire joint and two planes perpendicular to one another. This allows the practitioner to evaluate the joint in three dimensions, which may be helpful in cases when the etiology of the symptoms is distant from the TMJ.
Physical examination:
A physical examination is an important part of a TMJ consultation. The physician will use state-of-the-art exam techniques and a whole-body approach to determine if the patient has any TMJ disorder symptoms. The TMJ exam will assess the movement, position, and function of the jaw, head, and temporomandibular joint.
The first step is to measure the patient’s range of motion, which is an important way to determine whether a patient has TMJ disorder. This can be done by asking them to open and close their mouths. They can use a millimeter rule to measure these movements. Normal values of maximum opening range from 45 to 55 millimeters, although smaller figures are common in asymptomatic patients.
