Jaw pain, clicking sounds, and discomfort while chewing indicate you are dealing with a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, know that you’re not alone. Many struggle with jaw-related issues from grinding teeth, misalignments, stress, or arthritis. Fortunately, non-surgical and surgical treatments are available to help relieve this discomfort and restore proper jaw function.

Interested in learning how these approaches differ and when to seek TMJ-TMD treatment? Continue reading this post to relieve mandibular pain or trauma with the right solution.  

What are TMJ Disorders?

The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to the skull, allowing you to chew and speak. When problems arise with this joint or the surrounding muscles, expect pain, limited movement, and discomfort. Common signs of a jaw joint disorder include:

• Jaw discomfort or tenderness
• Clicking, popping, or grating sensations
• Headaches or earaches
• Difficulty chewing or opening the mouth fully
• Facial muscle fatigue
• Stiffness in the jaw, neck, or shoulders

Non-Surgical Treatment Options to Reverse TMJ-TMD Disorder

These options focus on reducing strain, improving function, and alleviating pain without invasive TMJ-TMD treatment in Green Bay. The treatments include: 

Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies

• Hot and Cold Therapy: Apply heat to relax tense muscles. You may even use ice to reduce inflammation near the temporomandibular joints.
• Jaw Exercises: Sometimes, gentle stretches and strengthening exercises can enhance mobility.
• Dietary Adjustments: Eat soft foods and avoid excessive chewing to minimize strain.
• Stress Reduction: Deep breathing, yoga, and meditation can also assist avoid clenching your jaw.

Oral Appliances for the mouth

Jaw clenching and teeth grinding can be effectively relieved with custom-fit mouthguards or splints, which also lessen joint pressure.  To maintain ideal oral health and realign the jaw, your dentist can make a bespoke dental guard. 

Drugs

Anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, and over-the-counter pain medicines may help manage TMD discomfort.  These prescription drugs can occasionally effectively treat TMJ issues.

Physical Therapy

Certain physical therapy can strengthen surrounding muscles and increase jaw movement.  Manual manipulation, stretching, and ultrasound therapy can improve joint function without causing pain.

Injectable Medication

Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) can temporarily calm tense and uncomfortable hyperactive jaw muscles.  This approach can help you if you have ongoing pain in your muscles.

Options for Surgical Treatment

When non-surgical techniques fail to alleviate TMD pain or discomfort, surgery may be required.  Typical choices include: 

Surgery on Open Joints

This open-joint operation can offer considerable relief in extreme temporomandibular disorder.  In order to directly access and fix the joint, a wider incision must be made.  This method enables thorough treatment of structural problems despite being more intrusive.

Replacement of Joints

Individuals having severe TMJ-TMD may need to have their entire joint replaced.  This procedure involves placing a prosthetic implant to replace the joint, providing long-term pain relief and enhanced functionality.

Selecting the Appropriate TMJ/TMD Treatment

The nature of your symptoms, the underlying reason, and general health all play a role in choosing the optimal TMJ-TMD treatment.  At Eastridge Dental, we prioritize the needs of our patients by starting with conservative treatments and only pursuing surgery when required.  Our dentists assist you in achieving better jaw function and long-lasting alleviation.

Please visit our dental office if you have ongoing jaw pain.  Schedule an appointment with us to discuss your choices for keeping your temporomandibular joints healthy.