There are several methods that a dentist may recommend for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The best treatment depends on the severity of the TMJ disorder, the specific symptoms that the patient experiences, how long the symptoms have lasted, and what remedies and treatment solutions have been tried in the past.
The most common ways that TMJ disorder is treated include home exercises, mouthguards and stents, medication, and surgery. The following is a review of each type of TMJ disorder treatment.
Mild cases of TMJ may not require treatment from a dentist; in many cases, lifestyle modifications are enough to relieve the symptoms. Home remedies that a dentist may recommend include jaw exercises to improve range of motion, stress reduction exercises, changes in the person’s diet, and the use of heat and ice pads. Patients should be sure to speak with the dentist about home exercises and lifestyle modifications that have been made in the past.
Bruxism is a leading cause of TMJ disorder. Grinding the teeth at night places an extreme amount of pressure on the temporomandibular joint and surrounding jaw muscles. One way to relieve this pressure is by wearing a mouthguard for bruxism, which is customized by a dentist to fit comfortably and help prevent teeth from clenching together at night. Orthodontic treatment may also be a way to correct the underlying cause of bruxism.
Medications can help relieve certain instances of TMJ disorder. For mild cases, anti-inflammatory medications bought over the counter can help. In other situations, the dentist may recommend muscle relaxants. If stress is found to be a cause of TMJ disorder, antidepressants prescribed by a mental health professional may also help.
Surgery for TMJ disorder is used as a last resort if symptoms do not improve after non-surgical methods of treatment from a dentist. The goals of jaw surgery for TMJ disorder are to improve jaw positioning and repair any damage that may be contributing to symptoms. TMJ surgery is usually performed by an oral surgeon and often requires general anesthesia.
The recommended TMJ disorder treatment depends on the underlying cause of the symptoms and their severity. It is essential to visit a dentist anytime that TMJ disorder continues for an extended period of time or suddenly worsens and becomes intolerable. A dentist can assess the most likely cause of TMJ disorder and provide a professional treatment recommendation.
Here are four commonly asked questions about TMJ disorder.
The symptoms may look different for every patient with TMJ disorder. However, the most commonly reported symptoms include jaw pain, headaches, difficulty moving the jaw, lockjaw, jaw soreness, clicking sounds in the jaw joint, and neck pain. The discomfort can vary from minor to severe. The earlier treatment can be provided, the better the outlook in many cases.
Non-surgical TMJ disorder treatment is often just as effective as surgical procedures and is much safer and more affordable. However, the recommended form of treatment largely depends on the severity of the patient’s symptoms and whether previous treatment efforts have been successful.
Some patients see results in as little as a few weeks, whereas it can take three years or more for other patients to find long-term relief from TMJ disorder symptoms. Surgery usually produces fast results once the mouth has a chance to heal. The key to fast and long-term relief from symptoms is consistency with the treatment plan.
The key to treatment is finding the right plan for every patient; cookie-cutter approaches do not work for everyone. If one treatment does not work, then along with the help of their dentist, the patient can try new efforts to alleviate the symptoms.
You can find relief for your TMJ disorder symptoms in the long term by visiting a dentist to discuss your symptoms, diagnose the cause, and consider all available treatment options. Here at our dental practice, we take pride in helping people who have TMJ disorder symptoms overcome their discomfort, tension, limited movement of the jaw, and other symptoms.
Request an appointment here: https://ericlarsondds.com or call Eric A. Larson DDS at (801) 871-8983 for an appointment in our Salt Lake City office.
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