Treatments for TMJ Disorders

When you have a TMJ disorder it can be very uncomfortable and the symptoms that you experience can greatly alter your quality of living. TMJ disorders cause headaches, earaches, muscle pain in the head and neck, limited movement of the neck and face, and lock jaw. TMJ treatments vary greatly depending on the underlying cause of the TMJ disorder. One of the common causes of TMJ disorders is tooth grinding. Often people grind their teeth while they are sleeping and so it is near impossible to just stop doing it. If your TMJ disorder is caused by tooth grinding than your TMJ treatment may involve using a bruxism implant otherwise known as a night guard to prevent you from grinding your teeth. If stress or anxiety is believed to be the cause of your TMJ disorder than stress management may be prescribed as part of your TMJ treatment. TMJ treatments that involve stress management may include a support group, therapy, biofeedback, and occasionally hypnosis. This type of TMJ treatment is usually used in conjunction with other methods of treatment. Certain TMJ disorders are caused by physical abnormalities. In these situations some of the TMJ treatments that may be used would be directed at correcting these abnormalities. Corrective dental therapy such as orthodontics may be used to properly align the bite. In some more severe cases TMJ disorders may be treated using more drastic TMJ treatments. Physical therapy or chiropractic TMD treatment may be used to increase the range of motion and strength of the joint. Medications like aspirin, naproxen, steroids, or Valium may be prescribed to alleviate painful symptoms. Additionally, surgery may be used when other less invasive TMJ treatments have failed.