What Is The Most Effective Treatment For TMJ?

TMJ disorders are common conditions that cause stiffness, discomfort, and difficulty in jaw movements, especially when performing normal oral functions like chewing, swallowing, and yawning. While sometimes TMJ symptoms can resolve on their own, sometimes professional treatment is necessary. In this article, let’s learn more about TMJ and common treatment options for TMJ disorders.

What are TMJ Disorders?

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) are the disorders that develop in the temporomandibular joints – the joints that connect the jawbone to the skull. Normally, two temporomandibular joints are located on each side of the head. You can feel them by placing your finger right in front of the ears and then opening and closing your mouth. TMJ disorders develop when there’s a dysfunction in the joints.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

TMJ disorders can be caused by numerous factors, including:

• Oral injuries or trauma to the jaw or surrounding structures
• Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
• Poor posture, particularly of the neck or head
• Stress and anxiety
• Genetic predisposition
• Teeth or jaw misalignments
• Arthritis in the joints

Once you visit our dentist for TMJ/TMD Treatment in Concord, NH, they will examine your jaw and surrounding structures to determine the root cause of your condition and provide the necessary treatment to address your symptoms.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw, particularly when speaking, chewing, or opening the mouth
• Aching pain in the face, ear, neck, or head
• Stiffness in the jaw muscles
• Locking of the jaw or limited jaw movements
• Changes in bite alignment
• Popping, clicking, or grafting sounds when moving the jaw

Contact our TMJ specialist in Concord, NH, if you have any of these or related symptoms. Prompt treatment can help alleviate your symptoms and prevent future complications.

Treatment Options for TMJ Disorders

The right treatment for TMJ disorders mainly depends on the underlying causes and severity of your symptoms. Common treatments options include:

Conservative measures

In some cases, TMJ symptoms can be addressed with conservative methods such as:

• Taking over-the-counter pain and inflammation medication like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen.
• Applying ice or heat therapy to minimize pain and inflammation in the jaw
• Avoiding excessive jaw movements like chewing gum, yawning, or singing
• Relaxation techniques like controlled breathing and meditation can help reduce stress and muscle tension
• Jaw exercises to reduce tension in the jaw muscles and joints
• Proper posture, especially when using digital devices or sitting
• Eating a soft diet to minimize tension and stress in the jaw muscles and joints
• Avoiding trigger habits like chewing hard food and non-food items and teeth grinding

Oral appliances

If TMJ doesn’t respond to conservative measures, the dentist can recommend appliance devices like nightguards to manage your symptoms. Oral appliances help position or support the jaw, preventing or reducing stress and tension.

They can also prevent harmful habits like teeth grinding to prevent TMJ symptoms. While you can obtain over-the-counter oral appliances without a prescription, it’s best to get a custom-made appliance made by your dentist for a perfect fit and maximum effectiveness.

Medications

In some cases, prescription medications can help treat or minimize TMJ symptoms. Common medications for TMJ include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can reduce pain and inflammation in the jaw muscles and joints
• Muscle relaxants to reduce stress and tension in the jaw muscles
• Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines to manage stress-related symptoms
• Injections to reduce inflammation and improve jaw mobility

Surgical intervention

Surgery may be necessary if your TMJ symptoms don’t respond to other treatments. Surgical options for TMJ disorders include:

• Jaw arthrocentesis. It involves inserting needles into the TMJ joints to remove fluid, debris, and byproducts to reduce inflammation and improve jaw mobility.
• Arthroscopy. The procedure uses a small camera to visualize the joints to perform jaw repairs or replacements in the discs or joint surfaces.
• Open joint surgery. It’s a more invasive surgery that gives access to the joints to repair or replace damaged structures like discs.

Choosing the Right Treatment for TMJ Disorders

Working with your dentist is the best way to treat TMJ disorders. Before recommending specific treatments, the dentist will examine your condition to identify the primary factors that cause your symptoms.

Then, the dentist will create a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs. The dentist will monitor your progress and can change or adjust them as needed. For more information about TMJ disorders and treatments, contact or book a dentist appointment at Concord Dental Associates.