Treatment FAQ

who can treat tmj treatment

by Genevieve Howe Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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TMJ disorder is most often diagnosed and treated by a dentist. A dentist diagnoses and treats your oral health as a whole, which includes the jaw. Symptoms and problems related to the jaw also affect the health of your teeth in many cases, and vice versa.Dec 29, 2020

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

Feb 05, 2019 · Most often, a dentist who specializes in TMJ disorders is actually your best choice. There are multiple forms of TMJ disorder treatment. Fortunately, dental specialists like Dr. Phillips have specialized knowledge of the jaw and the temporomandibular joint and can prescribe the correct treatment.

Therapy

The Harvard-trained surgeons at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Nevada are leaders in arthroscopic surgery to correct TMJ. They also offer non-surgical therapies to treat less severe cases. Schedule an appointment online or over the phone at the Summerlin or East Side Las Vegas office. TMJ Treatment Q&A.

Nutrition

Apr 21, 2021 · Source: cypresstxdental.com. If your primary doctor suspects that your pain you’re experiencing in your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is due to TMJ disorder, they’ll most likely suggest that you see an ENT doctor in Singapore if you prefer Singapore for your treatment, among other factors. A qualified ENT doctor can help you diagnose this condition and, treat it …

What is the best doctor for TMJ?

Not only does chiropractic treatment for TMJ help ease the pain when you visit a chiropractor but you can also do some soft tissue work at home to help loosen up your jaw muscles and reduce pain. In this video, you’ll see Dr. Blake demonstrate some exercises you can do at home to help ease your TMJ pain and you’ll also see how seeing a Cockeysville chiropractor to help with …

What can you do to help TMJ?

Apr 24, 2022 · Over-the-Counter pain killers: For many persons suffering from TMD short term use of OTC pain killers or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may give temporary relief. If required, your physician may prescribe stronger anti-inflammatory or pain medicines, antidepressants or muscle relaxants to help relieve symptoms.

What kind of Doctor would treat TMJ?

Jan 12, 2012 · In-depth Articles on Other TMJ Disorders Treatments Choose the right foods: Eating soft foods, such as mashed potatoes and applesauce, can decrease jaw pain and discomfort. Do jaw exercises: Jaw stretches and other face exercises can help ease TMJ disorder symptoms. Your doctor, dentist, or a... ...

What kind of doctor should you see for TMJ pain?

Jan 31, 2022 · If you have suffered from headaches, muscle pain, or popping from your temporomandibular joint, due to physical trauma or poor dental health, you may have TMJ disorder. Dr. Sangiv I. Patel is highly skilled in various TMJ therapies that can prevent the progression of myofascial pain and other problems caused by TMJ disorder.

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What are some ways to help with TMJ?

Complementary and alternative medicine techniques may help manage the chronic pain often associated with TMJ disorders. Examples include: Acupuncture. A specialist trained in acupuncture treats chronic pain by inserting hair-thin needles at specific locations on your body. Relaxation techniques.

Who to talk to about TMJ?

You'll probably first talk about your TMJ symptoms with your family doctor or dentist. If suggested treatments don't provide enough relief, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in TMJ disorders.

What is the purpose of MRI for TMJ?

MRI to reveal problems with the joint's disk or surrounding soft tissue. TMJ arthroscopy is sometimes used in the diagnosis of a TMJ disorder. During TMJ arthroscopy, your doctor inserts a small thin tube (cannula) into the joint space, and a small camera (arthroscope) is then inserted to view the area and to help determine a diagnosis.

What to do if your jaw is locked?

If your jaw pain does not resolve with more-conservative treatments and it appears to be caused by a structural problem in the joint, your doctor or dentist may suggest open-joint surgery (arthrotomy) to repair or replace the joint.

What is the best medication for TMJ pain?

If over-the-counter pain medications aren't enough to relieve TMJ pain, your doctor or dentist may prescribe stronger pain relievers for a limited time, such as prescription strength ibuprofen. Tricyclic antidepressants.

How to help jaw pain?

Physical therapy. Along with exercises to stretch and strengthen jaw muscles, treatments might include ultrasound, moist heat and ice. Counseling. Education and counseling can help you understand the factors and behaviors that may aggravate your pain, so you can avoid them.

Can TMJ go away?

In some cases, the symptoms of TMJ disorders may go away without treatment. If your symptoms persist, your doctor may recommend a variety of treatment options, often more than one to be done at the same time.

What is TMD in medical terms?

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are complex medical conditions that can be caused and compounded by numerous other conditions and underlying causes. TMJ disorders can impact a number of areas, including pain in your jaw, teeth, face muscles, neck, ears, headache, and more.

What is an OMS?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) also specialize in treating diseases associated with the head and neck. These surgeons focus specifically on the muscles, joints, and ligaments in the maxillofacial region. Surgery, however, is rarely required to effectively treat the vast majority of TMJ disorders. General Practitioners are often asked about ...

Can a neurologist treat TMJ?

For example, if your TMJ disorder is causing headaches, a neurologist may be able to help coordinate treatment. If your TMJ disorder is comorbid with another condition, such as sleep apnea, Dr. Phillips can work in conjunction with a sleep physician in order to provide comprehensive care.

Can a dentist prescribe TMJ pain medication?

A general practitioner may also prescribe prescription pain relief drugs that can provide temporary relief until you are able to see a TMJ specialist. General and Cosmetic Dentists are among the first to be alerted to jaw pain in their patients and they too can recommend someone whose sole focus is to treat TMJ.

Can jaw pain be a symptom of TMJ?

Phillips have specialized knowledge of the jaw and the temporomandibular joint and can prescribe the correct treatment. While jaw pain is the most obvious symptom of a TMJ disorder, other symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, ear fullness, vertigo, and others, the source of the problem is often ...

What to do if you have TMJ?

You may need to use mouth guards and splint to help you keep the teeth separated and avoid extensive damage to the TMJ due to teeth clenching.

How to relieve pain from TMJ?

Give your jaw joints and muscles sufficient rest by sticking to soft foods. Do not clench your teeth. Use moist heat to rest your muscles. Your ENT doctor in Singapore may also prescribe anti-inflammatory pain medications and muscle relaxants to give you some respite from discomfort due to TMJ disorder. For more advanced cases, for example, ...

Why does my temporomandibular joint hurt?

It may also make opening your mouth difficult. Damage to your temporomandibular joint may be caused by; Arthritis and even stress, among other psychological causes.

How do you know if you have TMJ?

Symptoms of a TMJ disorder may range from ear pain to jaw clicking/popping, frequent neck pain/headaches, and cheek or temple pain. You may also get sore jaw muscles and experience difficulty when you open or close your mouth. Depending on the severity of your condition, the pain due to TMJ disorder may be excruciating, ...

What doctor can diagnose a swollen ear?

A qualified ENT doctor can help you diagnose this condition and, treat it though treatment at the ENT clinic may depend on the severity of your condition. Other than the ENT doctor, an oral surgeon is another specialty doctor that can also help you diagnose and treat this disorder. They can also help you manage the pain that comes with it.

What is the TMJ?

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), more commonly known as TMJ is a blanket term for acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandib ular joint (which is what connects your mandible to your skull). TMJ refers to a wide variety of conditions that affect TM joints, jaw muscles, and facial nerves. Your jaw joint, also known as ...

How to get rid of jaw pain?

Press in with flat fingers and then up to put pressure on your masseter and then open and close your mouth. From there, you can move up to the next part of the masseter and continue to do a total of 3 repetitions to complete 1 set of this exercise. If you’re having jaw pain, we recommend doing 3 sets of this exercise 3 times per day.

Where is the jaw joint located?

Your jaw joint, also known as the TM joint, can be found on either side of your head and it exists to connect the lower jaw bone (that’s your mandible) to the temporal bones of the skull on each side of the head. The muscles controlling the joints are attached to the mandible and allow the jaw to move.

What happens when you open your mouth?

When you open your mouth, the rounded upper ends of the mandible on each side of the jaw glide along the joint socket at the base of the skull. Then when you close your mouth they slide back to their original position. This is where many people with TMJ hear popping in their jaw.

What muscles are involved in jaw pain?

When you visit us with jaw pain we’ll focus on 3 key muscles: the masseter, the temporalis, and the pterygoid. We’ll also pay close attention to the suboccipital muscles, jaw joint itself and the top 2 vertebrae because they greatly impact the jaw joint and we want to make sure everything is aligned properly.

What is the temporalis?

Your temporalis is a thinner, clam-shaped muscle on each side of the head. This muscle is crucial for chewing and covers a broader area than the masseter including your temples. In the video above, Dr. Blake walks through some soft tissue techniques that you can do at home for the masseter and the temporalis.

Can TMJ cause jaw pain?

TMJ has a range of symptoms including pain in or around the ear, headaches, neck pain, jaw pain and soreness, jaw pain when biting or chewing, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, popping or clicking noises when opening the mouth, jaw stiffness, tinnitus, dizziness, and even sensitive teeth when no other dental problems can be found.

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?

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. Repeat on both the sides for as much time as you like . Exercise 3: Open the jaw to the maximum width. Take the tip of the tongue upwards and touch the roof of the mouth.

How to stop yawning?

9. Rest Your Jaw 1 Resist the temptation to yawn by seeing someone yawning as it will cause more pain. If you can’t avoid it, try to open your mouth as less as possible. 2 Don’t chew gum as it tenses the muscles of your jaw. 3 Don’t bite your fingernails or chew a pencil. Find a way that is non-jaw relatedto get rid of your anxiety. 4 Sleep either on your side or on your back. Sleeping on your stomach with head positioned to one side can produce neck strain that can be transferred to the jaw. 5 If you work a lot on desk, take a break of few minutes and meditate. Focus on your neck and face muscles, allowing them to grow slack and relax. 6 Get 20-30 minutes of exercise at least 3-4 times in a week. Exercise not only reduces stress but also helps the body produce endorphins that act as natural painkillers. 7 When under stress, don’t clench your jaw or grind your teeth. You can put your tongue in between the teeth to make sure that you don’t grind them. 8 If you carry a heavy briefcase or purse often on one shoulder, try to lighten the load as the weight disturbs the alignment of your neck and spine. It may contribute to jaw pain indirectly. It you absolutely need to carry the load, shift it from one shoulder to another while you are walking.

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 to do if your jaw hurts at night?

If clenching or grinding teeth at night is contributing to your jaw pain, wear a mouth guard. Many inexpensive mouth guards are available at a sports store. You can follow the directions on the package to fit it to your mouth’s size.

What to eat when you have a swollen thigh?

Don’t eat extremely chewy and crunchy foods such as carrots, apples, beef etc. Instead go for pastas, soups and other foods that are easy to eat . Avoid taking big bites. Skip coffee and tea as caffeine can increase tension in muscles. Instead consume decaffeinated drinks.

How to stretch your tongue?

Now slide your tongue’s tip backward along the roof of the mouth. Hold for 5 seconds. Now extend the tongue fully out of the mouth, giving it the maximum stretch. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 5-10 times. 2. Relaxation Exercises.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

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.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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