Have you ever felt pain while trying to chew? Or maybe you sometimes feel as if your jaw becomes locked and you’re unable to move it freely. You may feel sudden pops or clicks when you move it. If that is the case, it may be due to Temporomandibular Joints Disorder (TMD). Over 10 million Americans are affected by this disorder.
This form of disorder occurs in the Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) area, whereas many factors can cause it. In order to treat TMD, you can get an insight from this guide towards the different treatment methods.
1. TMJ Treatment Through Self Care
If you have been diagnosed with TMD, your dentist may prescribe a treatment that you can implement yourself.
This type of TMJ treatment relies on the use of self-care practices in order to relieve the stress that TMD causes. This may include reforming your diet plan so that it is based on soft foods. Another one is the use of heat and cold packs applied to the jaw region to provide comfort and relief.
2. TMJ Treatment Through Therapy Sessions
If the self-care TMJ treatment doesn’t help relieve the problem, the use of therapy sessions is advised. Physical therapy often helps with pain relief and management for chronic conditions.
Your dentist may suggest the use of different TMJ treatment options. These may include:
- Ultrasound Therapy
- Trigger point injections
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy
- Radio Therapy
- Wearing a dental orthotic (an acrylic appliance made to aid the jaw in repositioning it into its “happy place”)
The dentist recommends these forms of therapy sessions for the patient, judging by the symptoms and condition of the TMJ. In some cases, the TMJ treatment may include more than one therapy option.
3. TMJ Treatment Through Surgery
If left untreated, TMD could lead to a chronic issue. This may create greater issues performing simple activities such as chewing, speaking, and even yawning. In these cases, dentists recommend using invasive surgery options such as arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, and open joint surgery.
However, it is recommended that before taking any decision, it is best to discuss the implications regarding the overall procedure with your dentist and how the surgery will improve the condition of the TMJ.
Are You Ready To Have Your TMJ Treatment?
If you need a solution for TMJ treatment or have any queries about the overall procedure of TMJ treatment, we can help. At Advanced Dentistry Center, we can aid you with all forms of dental solutions, including self-care practices, physical therapies, dental orthotics and other TMJ treatment options. Get in touch with us to learn more!