The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of dental problems

Physiotherapy has been used to treat joint and muscle ailments since time immemorial without the mental trauma and pain of surgery. It has been introduced into the practice of dentistry as an adjunctive therapy.

Postoperative physiotherapy has been recognized as essential to prevent or treat hypomobility or ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Therapeutic movement nourishes the joint without activating the painful muscles. People with problems with clear speech, swallowing problems or mouth muscle weakness may benefit from facial strengthening exercises. Oral-motor exercises are useful in treating phonological/articulatory disorders. It is a relatively simple and non-invasive method and allows easy self-management by the patient. This additional therapeutic modality is one of the main parts of a comprehensive management program for patients with orofacial disorders.

What is a temporomandibular joint

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull , which are in front of the ear. It allows the jaw to move up and down and from side to side, for speaking, chewing and yawning.

Problems with the jaw and the facial muscles that control it are known as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). These problems not only hamper the work of the dentist but also interfere with daily activities.

Why does our TMJ (jaw) hurt?

The TMJ is a complex joint consisting of two bones and a disc. To function properly, the joints on either side of your jaw must be able to open in two phases. During the first half of opening, the lower jaw rotates inside the joint. This is followed by a phase of translation where the lower jaw and disc slide forward along the temporal bone to achieve full opening. If this movement of the joints on each side is not coordinated, it can cause malalignment of the jaw and painful symptoms.

Causes of TMD

Injury to the jaw, joint or muscles of the head and neck - such as from a severe blow or whiplash resulting in hypermobility or stiffness of one side of the TMJ. The resulting uneven movement leads to accelerated wear of the joint structures
Grinding or clenching your teeth while sleeping, which puts a lot of pressure on the joint. This can lead to joint or disc injury as well as muscle spasm
Posture occupied for a long period of time -many of the muscles that control the jaw also attach to the upper neck. Having a "forward head posture" for long periods of time is a common cause of jaw dysfunction
Arthritis in the joint
Eating large or hard foods, especially if chewing only on one side of the mouth can easily injure the TMJ.
Stress that can make you tighten your facial and jaw muscles or clench your teeth

Usually the problem is complex and no specific point can be pinpointed, but rather a progressive worsening of symptoms

Symptoms for TMD

Symptoms can be mild or quite severe. They can make it difficult to take solid food. Some of them may be:

Pain in TM joint - just in front of ear opening.
Painful popping or clicking
Jaw lock in open position
Muscle spasm in the angle of the jaw and side of the head
Headache
Worldwatch
Deformity of the bite

How does physiotherapy help?

- Improve mobility of the temporomandibular joint through manual therapy techniques, specific stretches and exercises that will help maintain range of motion improvement between visits.

- Reducing muscle spasm through soft-tissue manual techniques will help to improve the alignment and movement of the joints, ultimately resulting in less pain.

- strengthen hypermobile joints through exercises that strengthen weak muscles and improve your natural movement pattern.

- Postural training for the head and neck position.Teaching patients how to strengthen postural muscles and guidelines for improving posture at work, in the car and other daily activities.

- Relieve joint pain through physiotherapy modalities such as ultrasound therapy, electrotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, etc.

A combination of physiotherapy and dental interventions is an effective method of addressing TMJ dysfunctions and associated problems. At OKTO, we thoroughly evaluate your specific TMJ-related problem and formulate a treatment plan based on the cause of your symptoms.