Is TMJ Treatable?

Temporomandibular joint problems, also known as TMJ disorders, wreak havoc in the lives of scores of people. Our office sees numerous patients who struggle with TMJ and its symptoms. The good news for our TMJ patients is that most cases are treatable. Because our dentist trained in the latest treatment methods, patients often get relief from many of the painful symptoms which accompany TMJ. 

Before we can effectively treat TMJ, we need to understand the specifics of your case. When you visit our office for dental care that will help you, our staff will ask you questions regarding sleeping habits and stress factors in your life. We ask these questions because many TMJ cases have origins in sleep disturbances or tooth grinding. Our dentist will also learn more about your TMJ symptoms. Because there are numerous symptoms of TMJ, it is essential for you to alert our dentist to any problems you may experience. 

Some common indicators of TMJ include: 
• Back pain or shoulder pain 
• Dizziness 
• Earaches 
• Headaches, especially those that occur upon waking 
• Limited movement of the jaw 
• Pain in your temples 
• Pain located in or near the jaw joint 
• Popping, clicking, or a grinding sound in the temporomandibular joints 
• Ringing in the ears 
• Stiffness in the neck 

There are many ways to treat TMJ, these vary with the cause and the severity of your TMJ disorder and fall into several categories. 

AT HOME TREATMENTS 
For mild symptoms, our dentist may suggest one or several at home treatments to ease the pain of your TMJ. 
• Over the counter pain relievers 
• Alternating ice and moist heat on your jaw area 
• Relaxation techniques 
• Massage 
• Avoiding overuse of your jaw 

MEDICATIONS 
For patients who get no relief from over the counter pain relievers, our dentist may prescribe more potent medicines. 
• Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications 
• Muscle relaxants 
• Tricyclic antidepressants 

NON-DRUG THERAPIES 
Some patients prefer a route of treatment without medication; our dentist would likely suggest one or more of these treatments 
• Ultrasound 
• Exercise 
• Oral splints 
• Physical therapy 


SURGICAL TREATMENTS 
Except for extreme cases, surgery is not our first option for treatment of your TMJ disorder. Occasionally, a surgical remedy will be your best option for relief of the TMJ pain. 
• Arthrocentesis- Our dentist uses small needles to drain fluid from the temporomandibular joint and surrounding area. 
• TMJ arthroscopy- Surgery which we perform via a small tube which our dentist places in the affected area. 
• Open-joint surgery- Our office feels this is the last resort in TMJ treatment. Your joint is opened up and repaired or replaced. This is a significant procedure with a longer recovery than other options. 

If you believe that TMJ is a problem for you, please contact our office so we can make an appointment to help relieve the pain.