Treatment for TMJ

The objective in the treatment for TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint syndrome is to manage the pain caused by the disorder, such as pain in the neck, head, facial muscles, ear and jaw. Every individual has two TMJs and each is located on each side of the jaw. The TMJ connects the lower jaw to the skull just in front of the ear and can be damaged due to a certain disease, habit, wear and tear due to aging, or trauma. TMJ trauma is subcategorized into macro-trauma which is an impact due to accident or a blow to the jaw, and micro-trauma, a damaging habit such as clenching or grinding the teeth. The common indications of TMJ disorder are locking or stiff jaw, problems in biting, and a popping or clicking sound when opening the mouth. Finding the right treatment for TMJ can be a difficult task, to say the least.

Treatment for TMJ Explained

Since the body typically recovers from TMJ syndrome within two weeks when the jaw is given the right amount of rest, a full-blown TMJ disorder is rare. However, there are severe cases that are difficult to treat and can cause severe discomfort which may affect the quality of life of the people suffering from the disorder. There are several methods used in the treatment for a TMJ disorder which range from holistic treatments to surgeries. Most people start from holistic approach first and only resort to surgery when no improvement is achieved after several months of applying natural remedies. Regardless of the underlying cause of the disorder, here are some methods generally recommended as protocol in treatment for TMJ syndromes:

Natural Treatment for TMJ

Facial Exercises and Warm Compress

Applying warm compress to the jaw has been known to release the tension on the affected area. After the warm compress, specific facial exercises recommended by a health care professional should be performed. An example of these facial exercises is the gentle mandibular movement wherein the mouth is opened and closed by slowly moving the lower jaw from side to side.

Eating the Right Kinds of Food

Avoiding chewy and hard foods is generally advised for an individual currently experiencing pain and discomfort on the jaw area as these foods only add to the tension to the jaw. Patients should stick to eating soft foods but must see to it that a well-balanced meal is not compromised.

Correct Jaw Positioning

Promoting relaxation in the jaw area helps ease the pain and discomfort caused by a TMJ disorder. This can be achieved by maintaining the correct position of the jaw. The lower teeth and the upper teeth must be kept slightly apart while the lips are kept closed. The tongue should be positioned at the top part of the mouth and breathing must be made through the nose.

Biofeedback Treatment

In the biofeedback treatment for a TMJ disorder, the patients are trained to relax their muscles as well as to normalize their pulse and heart rates by using a biofeedback device. The device is worn during bedtime to keep the patients from grinding their teeth when asleep. The treatment using a biofeedback device is also referred to as splint therapy as the device has anterior splints that absorb pressure during teeth grinding, and the procedure involves non-repositioning stabilization.

Reversible Treatment

This type of treatment is recommended by health authorities who discourage surgery or permanent alteration of the jaw or teeth as a treatment for TMJ syndrome. This involves mandibular exercises and temporarily alleviating the symptoms by taking non-damaging pain relievers available over the counter until the disorder completely heals naturally.

Repositioning of Mandible

Mandibular repositioning type of treatment for TMJ requires patients to wear flat bite plate which covers either the lower or upper teeth to get rid of the clicking sound and sensation when the patient's mouth is opened wide. This device is worn at night with the purpose of repositioning the mandible. Since the longer use of this device may cause permanent alterations of teeth or jaw, it is recommended to be worn only for a brief period of time.

Oral Surgery

For severe cases of a TMJ disorder that don't show any improvement after natural treatments are done, oral surgery is the last option left. However, most health professionals recommend a minor surgery known as arthrocentesis which typically doesn't cause any permanent alteration to the patient's teeth and jaw. In this type of surgery, surgeons cleanse the TMJ with a solution in order to ease the inflammation of the temporomandibular joint. In extreme cases wherein the disorder is not treatable with arthrocentesis surgery, a more complex oral surgery that involves permanent alteration to the jaw or teeth may be performed as an ultimate treatment for a TMJ disorder.