How are TMJ disorders treated?

TMJ Disorder Treatment In New Delhi

There are several treatments available for TMJ Disorders but there is not much evidence for all of them to be very effective. Therefore, your TMJ treatment choices should be conservative. It is always suggested to get a second opinion before you head towards your treatment especially when you are considering a surgery or an expensive treatment. To keep away from the harmful effects of some of these treatment options your best option to treat your sickness would be cautious, conservative and minor treatment.

Treatments available for TMJ disorders-

Conservative TMJ Disorder Treatment:

According to a very recent study published by the University of Wisconsin, the most effective treatment for TMJ disorder is hot and cold packs. Simple and inexpensive treatments are always suggested to be your first option and in case of this disorder these often work better.

Here are certain treatments you should consider stated by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research-

1. Reduction of stress
2. Consumption of soft food
3. Take instructions from a medical professional to relax, massage and stretch the muscles near your jaw
4. Avoid the activities that stress your jaw for example yawning and chewing gum
5. Use hot and cold pack on your neck and face
6. Exercise regularly
7. Use pain and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophens
8. Consult your TMJ Doctor whether to use muscle relaxers or not.

You need to stop following these methods if your symptoms get worse or you see no improvement.

Surgery and Dramatic TMJ disorder treatment-

At times some doctors and dentists may suggest you to undergo a TMJ surgery. But opting for surgery is a crucial decision therefore you need to be cautious about it and go for a second opinion for reassurance.

Here are three points that you need to keep into account and only go for a TMJ surgery if these points are satisfied-

1. If you have been applying the conservative methods but they have failed or have left you with worse symptoms
2. If there are strong and definite evidence that the surgery can benefit you
3. If the evidence is confirmed by a second opinion.

Medication for TMJ Disorder-

Doctors mostly make you try an OTC medication before prescribing you a medication.

Acetaminophen is used for temporary reduction of jaw pain but it does not address inflammation.

Here is a list of medications available for TMJ disorder-

1. Muscle relaxants- these are often used to relieve jaw pain and the discomfort which occurs due to TMJ disorder. These relax the jaw and face muscles and help decrease muscle spasms.
2. Tricyclic anti-depressant- this again helps to relief the TMJ disorder pain. These medicines work by influencing your body’s pain interpreter.
3. Corticosteroids- these are prescribed if your Jaw Pain and inflammation are significant. These are not mostly suggested by the doctors but they might inject it into your joint to provide you temporary relief.
4. Botulinum toxin - aka – Botox- these too are used to relief pain caused due to TMJ disorder. Some experts think a small dose of this into the jaw muscles can help relieve TMJ symptoms but are not yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Authored by Dr. ABHIMANYU CHATURVEDI