TMJ Disorder Treatment From a Dentist
There are several methods that a dentist may recommend for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The best treatment depends on the severity of the TMJ disorder, the specific symptoms that the patient experiences, how long the symptoms have lasted, and what remedies and treatment solutions have been tried in the past.
TMJ disorder: What are my treatment options?
The most common ways that TMJ disorder is treated include home exercises, mouthguards and stents, medication, and surgery. The following is a review of each type of TMJ disorder treatment.
Home exercises
Mild cases of TMJ may not require treatment from a dentist; in many cases, lifestyle modifications are enough to relieve the symptoms. Home remedies that a dentist may recommend include jaw exercises to improve range of motion, stress reduction exercises, changes in the person’s diet, and the use of heat and ice pads. Patients should be sure to speak with the dentist about home exercises and lifestyle modifications that have been made in the past.
Mouthguard for bruxism
Bruxism is a leading cause of TMJ disorder. Grinding the teeth at night places an extreme amount of pressure on the temporomandibular joint and surrounding jaw muscles. One way to relieve this pressure is by wearing a mouthguard for bruxism, which is customized by a dentist to fit comfortably and help prevent teeth from clenching together at night. Orthodontic treatment may also be a way to correct the underlying cause of bruxism.
Medications
Medications can help relieve certain instances of TMJ disorder. For mild cases, anti-inflammatory medications bought over the counter can help. In other situations, the dentist may recommend muscle relaxants. If stress is found to be a cause of TMJ disorder, antidepressants prescribed by a mental health professional may also help.
Surgery
Surgery for TMJ disorder is used as a last resort if symptoms do not improve after non-surgical methods of treatment from a dentist. The goals of jaw surgery for TMJ disorder are to improve jaw positioning and repair any damage that may be contributing to symptoms. TMJ surgery is usually performed by an oral surgeon and often requires general anesthesia.
How to determine the right TMJ treatment solution for you
The recommended TMJ disorder treatment depends on the underlying cause of the symptoms and their severity. It is essential to visit a dentist anytime that TMJ disorder continues for an extended period of time or suddenly worsens and becomes intolerable. A dentist can assess the most likely cause of TMJ disorder and provide a professional treatment recommendation.
FAQs about TMJ disorder treatment
Here are four commonly asked questions about TMJ disorder.
What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder treatment?
The symptoms may look different for every patient with TMJ disorder. However, the most commonly reported symptoms include jaw pain, headaches, difficulty moving the jaw, lockjaw, jaw soreness, clicking sounds in the jaw joint, and neck pain. The discomfort can vary from minor to severe. The earlier treatment can be provided, the better the outlook in many cases.
Is non-surgical TMJ disorder treatment effective?
Non-surgical TMJ disorder treatment is often just as effective as surgical procedures and is much safer and more affordable. However, the recommended form of treatment largely depends on the severity of the patient’s symptoms and whether previous treatment efforts have been successful.
How long does it take to see results from TMJ disorder treatment?
Some patients see results in as little as a few weeks, whereas it can take three years or more for other patients to find long-term relief from TMJ disorder symptoms. Surgery usually produces fast results once the mouth has a chance to heal. The key to fast and long-term relief from symptoms is consistency with the treatment plan.
What happens if TMJ disorder treatment does not work?
The key to treatment is finding the right plan for every patient; cookie-cutter approaches do not work for everyone. If one treatment does not work, then along with the help of their dentist, the patient can try new efforts to alleviate the symptoms.
Are you experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder?
You can find relief for your TMJ disorder symptoms in the long term by visiting a dentist to discuss your symptoms, diagnose the cause, and consider all available treatment options. Here at our dental practice, we take pride in helping people who have TMJ disorder symptoms overcome their discomfort, tension, limited movement of the jaw, and other symptoms.
Request an appointment here: https://www.careonedentalfl.com or call Care One Dental of Delray at (561) 894-0268 for an appointment in our Delray Beach office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: TMJ Dentist in Delray Beach, FL.
Related Posts
TMJ disorder is a serious condition that you should keep an eye on. Your dentist can check for signs and symptoms of this disorder. There are also treatments available to give you the relief you need. However, you do not need to wait to go to the dentist’s office to know that you have problems…
Routine checkups from your general dentist can maintain or even improve your dental health. It can be challenging to keep your dental appointments because of busy schedules and demanding lifestyles. But making an effort to keep them can be very rewarding. Here are the details on how regular appointments with your general dentist can maintain…
Root canal therapy can restore your oral health. The treatment aims to remove the tooth’s infection and stop the pain. Anything can cause dental pain. It may signal your need for endodontic treatment. If you want to know when a dentist would recommend root canal therapy, here are the details.Pain may indicate an immediate need…
You can see your general dentist if you want to renew your smile. There are specific treatments that can improve your teeth and gums. At the same time, your dental functions can be better as well. Here are the cosmetic dental services that your general dentist can provide.Crooked teeth can distort one’s smile. This problem…