"
TMJ Diseases & Disorders - TMJ Treatments
|
|
TMJ Treatments
Because most common jaw joint and muscle problems are temporary, lasting only weeks or months, simple care is all that is usually needed to relieve the discomfort. Self-care practices, for example, eating soft foods, applying ice or moist heat, and avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide yawning, loud singing, and gum chewing) are useful in easing symptoms.
Reversible Treatments
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), TMJ treatments should be reversible whenever possible. That means that the treatment should not cause permanent changes to the jaw or teeth. Examples of reversible treatments are:
- Over-the-counter pain medications, used according to manufacturers’ instructions.
- Prescription medications prescribed by a healthcare provider. Click here to learn more about Pain Care
- Gentle jaw stretching and relaxation exercises you can do at home. Your healthcare provider can recommend exercises for your particular condition, if appropriate.
- A Stabilization splint (biteplate, nightguard) is the most widely used treatment for TMJ and jaw muscle problems. However, the actual effectiveness of these splints is unclear. If an oral splint is recommended, it should be used only for a short time and should not cause permanent changes in the bite. If a splint causes or increases pain, stop using it and tell your healthcare provider. Avoid using over-the-counter mouthguards for TMJ treatment. If a splint is not properly fitted, the teeth may shift and worsen the condition. To learn more about splints click here.
Experts convened at a NIH Technology Assessment Conference held in 1996 concluded that reversible approaches, along with adequate measures of pain relief, are the treatments of choice for most TMJ diseases and disorders. TMJ patients should be cautious in trying to seek a cure for their TMJ problems, but rather seek treatments that help manage their pain. Learning which pain management techniques work best for you during flare-ups is a good way to approach dealing with your TMJ pain.
Unfortunately, these treatments may not address the severe pain and jaw dysfunction experienced by many TMJ patients. If you are one of these people, it is essential that you seek a primary care physician, internist, or other medical professional who believes that your pain is real, is willing to work with you to manage it, and will monitor your response to any prescribed medication.
Irreversible Treatments
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, of the National Institutes of Health, irreversible treatments have not been proven to work and may make the problem worse.
Examples of irreversible treatments are:
- Manual adjustment of the bite by grinding the teeth. To read more about bite/occlusal adjustment click here.
- Mandibular repositioning splints which move the jaw, ligaments and muscles into a new position.
- Extensive dental work such as crown and bridge work to balance the bite.
- Orthodontics
- Surgical procedures To read more about surgical procedures click here.
- Replacement of the jaw joint(s) or disc(s) with TMJ implants should be considered only as a treatment of last resort. TMJ implants are intended to improve jaw function. Pain alone is not a reason to undergo a TMJ replacement procedure; often, after surgery, the pain level stays the same or even increases. TMJ implants may also cause permanent damage. Some of these devices may fail to function properly or may break. To read more about TMJ implants click here.
Before undergoing any surgery on the jaw joint, it is extremely important to get several independent opinions and to fully understand the risks. If you have already had TMJ surgery, be very cautious about considering additional operations. Persons undergoing more than two surgeries on the jaw joint generally have a poor outlook for normal, pain-free joint function after additional surgery.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and effectiveness of medical devices in the body, including artificial jaw joint implants. Patients and their healthcare providers should report problems with TMJ devices to the FDA through MedWatch at 1-888-463-6332 for patients; 1-800-332-1088 for healthcare professionals.
Since more studies are needed on the safety and effectiveness of most treatments for temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, experts strongly recommend using reversible treatments. Even when the TMJ problem has become chronic, most patients still do not need aggressive types of treatment.