Effective Treatment for TMJ Disorder

1. Jaw Rest

One treatment is to keep the mouth open to give some rest to the jaw. If teeth grinding is the main cause of the disorder, occlusal splints or night guards are prescribed. Avoidance of hard and crunchy foods is recommended. Furthermore, the patient should not be allowed to open the mouth too wide to prevent further damage to the joint.

2. Medications

The doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen, steroids, naproxen and aspirin to reduce pain and swelling in the joint. Patients may also be given muscle relaxants like diazepam to relax the facial muscles. In severe cases, local corticosteroid injections are given to the temporomandibular joints to alleviate the symptoms. In acute cases, anesthetics or stronger pain relief medication can be prescribed for relief of pain.

3. Heat and Ice Therapy

Application of cold and hot packs to the temporomandibular joint can relax the muscles, thereby reducing muscle spasms. The cold packs are recommended for use in the initial stages of the disorder.

4. Stress Management

The patient is encouraged to join stress groups. The doctor may also prescribe medications to relieve stress. Psychological counseling can also be very helpful for some patients. Biofeedback has been proven beneficial for some patients with TMJ disorders also. This treatment helps the patient to gain control over the hyperactive muscles, and is very useful with problems of teeth clenching and grinding.

5. Occlusal Therapy

In this treatment, custom made splints are worn by the patient during the night. In severe cases, it may also be required during the day. These splints will reduce unnecessary teeth clenching and grinding.

6. Corrective Dental Therapy

Problems with misalignment of the teeth will result in bite abnormalities and can cause the disorder. In such cases, corrective dental therapy can be used to correct it. One such example is the use of orthodontics. The dentist will also correct improper alignment using crowns and bridges.

7. Physical Therapy

Passive exercises of the temporomandibular joint can also be very much helpful in improving the functional ability of the joint. Electrical stimulation can also stimulate the facial muscles and improve its strength. This will in turn reduce pain and inflammation in the joint.

8. Surgery

Surgery is recommended in very severe cases of the disorder. When all other treatment fails, surgery is done to restore joint movement. Joint replacements and tightening of ligaments are done in cases of severe TMJ disorders.