If you experience a chronic ache in your jaw or pain when you chew, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder. TMJ is a very common condition that affects the jawbone and leads to a variety of symptoms that can impact your quality of life.
Fortunately, TMJ disorder can be addressed in several different ways when you have a skilled dental specialist. Learn about some of the most common TMJ treatments in this guide.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jawbone to your skull. It also acts as a sliding hinge that allows you to open your mouth.
When you have TMJ disorder, it causes pain and stiffness in this joint, making it difficult to move your mouth properly. People who have TMJ pain may experience a dull ache, difficulty chewing, and chronic clenching of their jaw.
4 Types of Treatment for TMJ Disorder
There are several approaches to TMJ treatment. The following are four of the most common treatments for TMJ disorder:
Mouth Guards
A simple way to treat TMJ disorder is with a mouth guard. Mouth guards are dental appliances that can be custom-made to fit your teeth and help relieve the clenching and grinding caused by TMJ. They work by positioning your jaw into a better placement that prevents certain TMJ symptoms.
Trigger Point Injections
Another non-surgical option for TMJ disorder is trigger point injections. This treatment involves injecting medications directly into painful knots of muscle within the jaw. The medications injected can include corticosteroids or neuromodulators like botulinum toxin.
Physical Therapy
Sometimes, physical therapy can help resolve TMJ pain and discomfort. Physical therapy uses specialized TMJ exercises to loosen and stretch the jaw muscles, reducing symptoms like clenching and tightness.
Medication
When methods such as physical therapy and mouthguards fail, you may need to take medications to control some of your TMJ disorder symptoms. Pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can help reduce some of the discomfort and inflammation associated with TMJ disorder.
Surgery
If you still have TMJ symptoms after trying non-surgical approaches, you may require surgical intervention. Three different surgical methods can be used to resolve TMJ disorder. The first is arthrocentesis, a procedure that removes excess fluid from the temporomandibular joint.
The second is arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery to reshape bone matter and reposition the disk in your joint through a small incision just outside the ear. If this is not an option, the third type of surgical intervention, open-joint surgery, may be used to access the temporomandibular joint through a long incision at the jawline.
Where To Find Treatment for TMJ in Colorado Springs
Are you clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth throughout the day? You may have a condition called TMJ disorder. At Pinnacle Dentistry, we offer numerous treatments for TMJ pain. Our dentists work with patients throughout the Colorado Springs area. To learn more about these options, schedule a consultation with our experts.
