Ideal Treatment Options To Relieve Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Ideal Treatment Options To Relieve Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

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Temporomandibular joint disorder is a medical condition that affects almost 10 million people in the United States alone. It is a medical condition wherein the joint that links the upper and lower jaw together is displaced or stressed. This can cause significant pain to the jaws, ears, face, neck and shoulders, and can also induce headaches, toothaches, blurry vision and stuffy sinus. Due to the many symptoms associated with this disorder, choosing the right TMJ treatment options can be challenging both for the patient and the attending physician or dentist.



Nowadays, there are myriads of TMJ treatment options that can be applied in order to address temporomandibular joint disorder. Such therapies may range from exercises and anti-inflammatory medications, to bite therapy and surgical procedures to properly address the disorder. However, more often than not, the therapies available for this syndrome are applied in order to relieve the pain caused by the said disorder.



Before turning to more invasive solutions to address the problem of temporomandibular joint disorder, most doctors or dentists will recommend their patients to try applying first non-invasive TMJ treatment options right at the comforts of their own homes. A physician will most likely provide a list of home remedies to the patient such as the application of heat compression to the affected area, jaw exercises, relaxation techniques and stress management exercises. In some cases, a patient may also be required to follow a diet plan made of soft foods in order to reduce the stress felt in the jaw and he or she may also undergo ancient therapies like acupressure, acupuncture, or massage.



If the symptoms of the disorder are still present even after the application of the aforesaid home remedies, the patient may have to take medications. The attending doctor or dentist may provide the patient with acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in order to reduce the pain associated with the disorder. Meanwhile, muscle relaxants may also be prescribed so as to reduce muscle spasms and teeth grinding as well tricyclic antidepressants to properly manage the pain. If the symptoms are recurring and the aforesaid medications are not sufficient, the physician may also recommend an injection of corticosteroids to avoid inflammation, but the injection is only applied once.



Dental interventions are also available to address this joint disorder. Dental occlusal splinting is said to be the most common dental therapy for temporomandibular joint disorder, and can be applied in two different means: through occluding splints and through non-occluding splints. Occluding splints are splints usually applied by the dentist based on the dimensions of the sufferer's mouth with the goal of realigning the upper and lower teeth. On the other hand, non-occluding splints or more popularly known as mouth guards can be purchased at pharmacies and are applied to prevent teeth clenching and grinding, which are said to be among the root causes of temporomandibular joint disorder.



If all the three aforesaid therapies fail, doctors and dentists might recommend the patient to undergo surgery. Arthoplasty is the general reference for all types of open surgery for temporomandibular joint disorder. The surgical procedure for the aforesaid joint problem may be in the form of disk repositioning, discectomy, or joint replacement, and may be minimally invasive or complex. Although surgery can directly address the pain associated with the said joint problem, risks like swelling, infection, bleeding and pain are likely to happen after the procedure, though these risks are common occurrences in any surgical intervention.

About the Author:
Temporomandibular joint disorder affects many people every year. Due to the many symptoms induced by the aforesaid conditions, there are various TMJ treatment options available that can suit a variety of needs. For instance, there are non-invasive therapies that can be facilitated at home and there are also therapies that address the dental issues associated with the said condition.



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