Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for tmj

by Everardo Upton Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medication

Who Treats TMJ? Since 1936 TMJ has been primarily treated by dentists, however today, we know TMJ to be a complex condition with many biological systems (circulatory, digestive, endocrine, exocrine, immune, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, and skeletal) playing a role, indicating the need to bring the medical and other allied health professionals in research …

Procedures

Aug 20, 2021 · TMJ Treatments. There are several treatment options for relieving the pain associated with TMJ, including: Changing your daily lifestyle: Avoid consuming hard or extremely chewy foods. Reducing your stress level can stop behaviors like jaw clinching or teeth grinding. Try to avoid yawning widely or chewing gum on a consistent basis.

Therapy

Apr 01, 2022 · TMJ pain occurs when this intricate system of muscles, bones, ligaments, and discs fails to work as efficiently as it normally would. Ailments of the TMJ region can be caused by a variety of things, including injury, teeth grinding, stress, arthritis, or jaw misalignment. Widely accepted treatments for TMJ pain

Nutrition

Jan 12, 2022 · Doctors treat some TMJ conditions through a combination of surgery and orthodontic treatment. Cortisol injections are one effective and less invasive treatment option. Botox injections have been known to alleviate symptoms of TMJ disorder in specific cases.

What are the most common TMJ treatment options?

May 11, 2020 · Apply Ice: Ice can be found in every home and is good to decrease inflammation and pain. Wrap ice cubes in a clean cotton cloth and then apply it to the joint. However, don’t apply ice cubes for more than 10-15 minutes. Have Soft Food: While suffering from TMJ pain, try to have soft or blended food.

What is TMJ and how can you treat it?

For others, the symptoms can go on for years. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are typically used to relieve TMJ discomfort. Sometimes, dentists also prescribe muscle relaxants and tricyclic antidepressants to help patients cope with symptoms.

How to stabilize the TMJ prior to treatment?

Mar 31, 2022 · Massaging the area around the jaw joint relieves tightness of muscles and increases blood circulation to the area and is an excellent TMJ home treatment. Open your mouth and rub the muscles near your TMJs until they relax. Close your mouth; repeat the massage. Do it several times in a day.

Does physical therapy help TMJ?

Dec 28, 2018 · In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders is temporary and can be relieved with self-managed care or nonsurgical treatments. Surgery is typically a last resort after conservative measures have failed, but some people with TMJ disorders may benefit from surgical treatments.

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What is the most effective treatment for TMJ?

Bite guards are the most widely recommended treatment for moderate TMJ symptoms. Research has found that splints can reduce TMJ pain and the risk of long-term side effects is minimal. There are two main types of dental splint, a TMJ mouthguard, and a bruxism (tooth grinding) mouthguard.Jan 6, 2021

How do you permanently cure TMJ?

Having said that, the following are how TMJ could be permanently cured:Custom-made splints. Custom-made splints are made to be fitted over your lower or upper teeth. ... Physical therapy. Physical therapy involves appropriate exercises for the joint. ... Surgery. ... Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.Nov 19, 2019

Can TMJ go away on its own?

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A TMJ DISORDER... Remember that for most people, discomfort from TMJ disorders will eventually go away on its own. Simple self-care practices are often effective in easing symptoms.

What is the main cause of TMJ?

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders are conditions affecting the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. It can be caused by trauma, an improper bite, arthritis or wear and tear. Common symptoms include jaw tenderness, headaches, earaches and facial pain.Jun 21, 2021

Is TMJ a medical or dental problem?

Because TMJ can be a medical problem, a dental problem, or a combination of both, it is beneficial to understand what is causing the patient's disorder before creating a treatment plan.

What is the best muscle relaxant for TMJ?

What is the best medication for TMJ?Best medications for TMJSkelaxinSkeletal Muscle Relaxant800 mg 2-4 times a dayFlexerilSkeletal Muscle Relaxant5 mg 3 times a dayMobic (meloxicam)Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)15 mg once a dayBotox (onabotulinumtoxina)Skeletal muscle relaxant1 mL to 5 mL per treatment3 more rows•Oct 5, 2020

What will happen if TMJ is not treated?

Although not life threatening, if TMJ disorder is left untreated, it can contribute to significant discomfort and tension. Chronic pain can even lead to the development of diseases like anxiety and depression.

What should you not do with TMJ?

Your PT can help determine what you should be avoiding if you have TMJ.Avoid Chewing Gum. ... Avoid Eating Hard Foods. ... Avoid Non-Functional Jaw Activites. ... Avoid Resting on Your Chin. ... Avoid Chewing Only on One Side. ... Try to Stop Clenching Your Teeth. ... Stop Slouching. ... Stop Waiting to Get Treatment.Feb 2, 2022

How do you check if you have TMJ?

Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:Pain or tenderness of your jaw.Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints.Aching pain in and around your ear.Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing.Aching facial pain.Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth.Dec 28, 2018

Where do you massage TMJ?

TMJ Friction MassageLocate the mandible muscle. This is the lower part of your jaw just below the masseter, found along your jawline.Apply gentle, constant pressure to the mandible muscle using your index finger.Experiment with the exact spot and amount of pressure that works for you.

Can TMJ affect your brain?

When one or both of these joints misalign, it is called TMD, a temporomandibular joint disorder. Untreated TMD can lead to memory loss as the misalignment of the jaw can lead to chronic pain which affects many parts of your brain.Jun 21, 2021

Are mouth guards good for TMJ?

Wearing a mouth guard for jaw clenching and teeth grinding can help protect your teeth from excessive wear and provide relief from temporomandibular joint pain.

Can you get better with TMJ?

The treating community remains in chaos and controversy about TMJ treatments. The advice we must still offer patients is – you may get better on treatments; you may be unaffected by treatments; you may even get better in spite of treatment, or you may get worse.

Is TMJ surgery reversible?

Conservative treatments do not invade the tissues of the face, jaw, or joint, or involve surgery.

Can reversible treatment cause permanent changes in jaw?

Reversible treatments do not cause permanent changes in the structure or position of the jaw or teeth. If TMJ issues become persistent and severe, moving toward aggressive treatments does not necessarily ensure improvement of the symptoms.

What causes facial pain?

For example facial pain can be a symptom or a result of conditions, such as: sinus or ear infections, decayed or abscessed teeth, various types of headache, facial neuralgia (nerve-related facial pain), tumors. connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Scleroderma.

What is connective tissue disorder?

connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Scleroderma. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) advises patients to look for a health care provider who understands musculoskeletal disorders (affecting muscle, bone and joints) and who is trained in treating pain conditions.

Why is it important to be informed when going to the doctor?

When going to the doctor, it is in the best interest of every patient to always be accompanied by a person whom you trust and who will act as your advocate.

What is the Temporomandibular (TMJ) Joint?

The TMJ links your jaw to your skull. It gives your jaw the range of motion to speak, chew food, laugh and allows your jaw to move up and down and side to side. This joint is more complicated than other joints in the body due to its juncture and different ranges of motion.

TMJ Treatments

There are several treatment options for relieving the pain associated with TMJ, including:

Interested in learning more?

There are plenty options to treat TMJ. If you are ready to start your path on relieving TMJ, contact our doctors, Dr. Nabil Fehmi and Dr. Maryam Beyramian, in our offices across Phoenix, AZ to schedule a consultation today!

Benefits of Treating TMJ

You may be wondering if your TMJ disorder requires treatment. Even under ideal conditions, the TMJs are placed under great pressure every day. TMJ disorders put extra stress on those joints.

What Is the Best Treatment for TMJ?

Dental misalignment can throw off your jaw alignment. Your dental occlusion allows the jaws to rest together at night in a manner that does not stress the TMJs.

Other Treatment Options

Orthodontic treatments are considered the best TMJ disorder treatment for the vast majority of people who suffer from TMD. In rare cases, patients may require jaw surgery to address severe TMJ disorder symptoms.

Which Option Is Right for Me?

If you are experiencing the symptoms of TMJ disorder, your first step should be to schedule an exam with your orthodontist. During your exam, your orthodontist will inquire into your symptoms.

Learn More About TMJ Disorder Treatments

TMJ disorder can disrupt your quality of life and make it difficult to speak and eat with ease. The sooner you can have your symptoms diagnosed and treated, the sooner you can return to enjoying life fully.

How to treat TMJ pain?

Apply Ice: Ice can be found in every home and is good to decrease inflammation and pain. Wrap ice cubes in a clean cotton cloth and then apply it to the joint. However, don’t apply ice cubes for more than 10-15 minutes. Have Soft Food: While suffering from TMJ pain, try to have soft or blended food.

How to stop jaw pain from TMJ?

It will let your jaw to relax while you are eating. Avoid hard or crunchy food as such foods require more muscle movements to chew which can cause jaw pain.

How to contact Advanced Dental Implant and TMJ Center?

You can visit their website or call them at (662) 655 -4868 to ask questions or to schedule an appointment.

Why does my TMJ hurt?

· TMJ joints are also prone to arthritis like any other body joint and it could be the major cause of TMJ pain. · Many times grinding or clenching the teeth during sleep could cause pain in the TMJ joint.

What to do if your jaw hurts?

Over-the-Counter Medicines: If the pain is unbearable then there are many over-the- counter medicines with no steroidal available which can be taken to get temporary relief from pain. Your doctor or dentist may prescribe them to you and if required he/she may prescribe you stronger pain killers. Jaw Exercises: The best way to get rid ...

What is the TMJ joint?

The joint is responsible for many facial muscles movements from smiling to chewing. When some suffer from the Temporomandibular joint disorder or syndrome then they feel pain in this joint. Problems that can be associated due to TMJ disorder are like headaches, neck pain, ear pain, and many others. The TMJ joint is on both jaws ...

What joint is used to close the mouth?

The TMJ joint is on both jaws and helps you to open and close your mouth. The jaw helps the mouth to move in up and down, back and forth as well as move left and right sides.

How to treat TMJ pain?

Jaw Exercises. By doing specific exercises of the jaw, you can stretch and strengthen the jaw muscles and reduce symptoms of pain. Exercise 1: Open the jaw to the maximum width. Gradually move it to the right side. Hold for 10 seconds. Move to the middle. Now gradually move to the left.

How to get rid of TMJ in the middle of the mouth?

Now gradually move to the left. Hold for another 10 seconds. Move to the middle and now close your mouth. Repeat 4-5 times. Exercise 2: Use the index finger of the right hand and trace your TMJ on the right. Once you reach there, massage the muscles in a downward direction.

How to relax jaw muscles?

Exercise 1: Sit with the back straight and open your mouth keeping yourself relaxed. Now, bend the back so that your forehead points to the sky. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly.

How to get rid of tightness in jaw?

Soak some washcloths in warm water. Apply them to the area for about 20 minutes. 4. Massage the Area. Massaging the area around the jaw joint relieves tightness of muscles and increases blood circulation to the area and is an excellent TMJ home treatment.

What is the TMJ joint?

The TMJ or temporomandibular joint is a type of hinge joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. Disorders of the TMJ or TMD (temporomandibular disorder) may lead to pain in the TMJ and in the muscles which control movement of the jaw. Some individuals with jaw pain also have a tendency to grind or clench their teeth. In most of the cases, the discomfort and pain associated with TMD is temporary and you can manage it with self care and nonsurgical home treatment measures.

How long does it take for TMJ pain to go away?

If you still have symptoms of pain and discomfort after 2 weeks of TMJ home treatment, call your physician. If you are having too much pain while opening your mouth or brushing your teeth, then prompt medical attention is required. Muscle-relaxing drugs may be prescribed by your physician for severe TMD.

How to get rid of a swollen tongue?

Exercise 3: Open the jaw to the maximum width. Take the tip of the tongue upwards and touch the roof of the mouth. Now slide your tongue’s tip backward along the roof of the mouth.

What are the causes of TMJ?

Factors that may increase the risk of developing TMJ disorders include: Various types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Jaw injury. Long-term (chronic) grinding or clenching of teeth. Certain connective tissue diseases that cause problems that may affect the temporomandibular joint.

Where is the TMJ located?

TMJ disorders affect the temporomandibular joint, located on each side of your head in front of your ears. A soft cartilage disk acts as a cushion between the bones of the joint, so the joint can move smoothly.

Why does my jaw feel like it's clicking?

Aching facial pain. Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth. TMJ disorders can also cause a clicking sound or grating sensation when you open your mouth or chew. But if there's no pain or limitation of movement associated with your jaw clicking, you probably don't need treatment for a TMJ disorder.

Why does my TMJ hurt?

Painful TMJ disorders can occur if: The disk erodes or moves out of its proper alignment. The joint's cartilage is damaged by arthritis. The joint is damaged by a blow or other impact. In many cases, however, the cause of TMJ disorders isn't clear.

Which joint combines a hinge action with sliding motions?

The temporomandibular joint combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small shock-absorbing disk, which normally keeps the movement smooth.

Can TMJ be treated?

In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders is temporary and can be relieved with self-managed care or nonsurgical treatments. Surgery is typically a last resort after conservative measures have failed, but some people with TMJ disorders may benefit from surgical treatments.

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Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Preparing For Your Appointment

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
TMJ disorder may be self-treatable in some cases. In cases requiring treatment, it is always a combination of therapies.
Medication

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Drugs that are used to manage pain and inflammation.

Ibuprofen


Tricyclic antidepressants: Drugs used to treat depression.

Amitriptyline


Muscle relaxants: Reduces stiffness.

Cyclobenzaprine

Procedures

Arthrocentesis: Insertion of needles into the joints to drain out the fluid and inflammatory debris.

TMJ arthroscopy: Surgically correcting the joint using instruments and camera inserted into the joint through a small cut.

Modified condylotomy: Done in case of locking; involves surgery of the lower jaw bone.

Therapy

Physical therapy:Includes exercises, using ultrasound, moist heat and/or ice to relieve pain and improve jaw movements.

Counseling:To help you understand the factors causing your condition and avoid them.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Foods rich in hyaluronic acid like broth of animal tendons and bones
  • Foods rich in magnesium like green vegetables
  • Organ meat and red meat

Foods to avoid:

  • Foods rich in salicylates like jams, jellies and juices
  • Dairy products like yogurt, cheese and milk
  • Bakery products like cakes and cookies

Specialist to consult

Dentist
Specializes in the treatment of diseases associated with teeth and gums.
Otolaryngologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat.

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