If you suffer frequent tension headaches, facial soreness, or jaw pain, you may have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Unfortunately, these consistent symptoms can negatively impact your quality of life and overall health. However, the good news is that there are several treatment options for TMJ that can cure this disorder. The best way to determine what your treatment options are is to see an experienced dentist.
What Causes TMJ?
When the jaw is misaligned or inflamed, TMJ disorders can occur.
The temporomandibular joints connect the lower jaw to the skull. These joints are frequently in use as they are responsible for chewing, talking, and swallowing. Someone with a TMJ disorder may find their normal routine painful and disruptive.
Symptoms may flare up due to the following:
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Stress
- Dental traumas
- Arthritis
Treatment for TMJ Disorder
Many at-home remedies can help relieve TMJ pain and discomfort, such as hot and cold compresses and managing stress. However, it’s imperative to understand that only a trained and experienced dentist or medical professional can successfully treat TMJ disorders. Treatment options may include one or more of the following.
Fix Dental Problems
Improving dental alignment often helps reduce teeth grinding and its severity. A dentist can use braces or other orthodontic appliances to help move teeth and jaws into the proper position. Many times, once teeth are in proper alignment, jaw problems no longer exist as joint strain is gone.
Stabilization Splints
Special stabilization splints can help stabilize the jaw to relieve TMJ pain and discomfort. Occlusal splint therapy, also known as TMJ splint therapy, can involve different kinds of splints, including permissive and nonpermissive.
Permissive splints make the biting surface smooth and flat, allowing the teeth to glide freely and the jaw to close and slide as it should to a more balanced resting point. Examples of nonpermissive splints include anterior repositioning appliances (ARA) and mandibular orthotic repositioning appliances (MORA). These types of splints position the jawbone into a forward posture upon closure.
BOTOX™ Injections
Botox is also an alternative treatment for TMJ disorders and associated jaw tension and pain. When injected into facial muscles, Botox helps muscles relax and relieves TMJ and jaw tension, and therefore the associated discomfort and pain for many patients.
Treating Your TMJ Disorder
Many people suffer from TMJ and wonder if it can be cured. While there is no definitive cure for TMJ, there are various treatment options available to alleviate the symptoms and improve the quality of life for those suffering from this condition. These treatments range from physical therapy and self-care techniques to medications and surgery.
It's important to consult with a dental professional to determine the best course of treatment for your specific case. While one treatment might work wonders for one patient, it may not work at all for another. TMJ treatment should be individualized.
With proper care and management overseen by a qualified dentist, many people can successfully manage their TMJ symptoms and live a normal, pain-free life.
Are you ready to seek treatment for your TMJ disorder? We can help! Contact us at Smile Shack today by calling 631-928-7500 or clicking to schedule an appointment online.