Alternative TMJ Treatment For Those With TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular joint abbreviated as TMJ is a joint disorder, which connects the skull to the jawbone. This joint is present in every human on both the side. The proper functionality of these joints is extremely important for eating, talking, frowning and smiling. TMJ treatment is required when there is improper functioning of Temporpmandibular joint.
The symptoms of TMJ disorder include ear pain, trouble eating, pain in the jaws, sore jaws, problem in opening and shutting of mouth, headache and clicking noises during the jaw movements.
Various THM treatments are recommended to patients that help them in making the correct health care decisions. They are:
• Pain Medications
• Splints
• Injections
• Acupuncture
• Occlusal Adjustments
• Jaw Implant
• Surgery
• Self Help Tips
Pain Medications: Some anti-inflammtory, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can be given as short term pain medication. This medicine helps in providing comfort to the discomfort jaws and muscle. Your doctor can also prescribe some strong pain medications, antidepressants and muscle relaxants to suppress the pain and other symptoms in some worst situations. Do not forget to review the ill effects of the medicines. Inform your health provider about the medicines, which you are taking currently.
Splints: It is the most common method for TMJ treatment. There is a saying among dentists, “Everybody requires magic of plastic”. Before you agree to the treatment, you need to know all about the splint. Splint is a plastic appliance that is placed or fixed on the lower or upper teeth. There are two types of splint treatment, Bite splint and Permissive or Directive splint. This treatment is done to control the positioning of jaws. The use of splint is done to reduce the force on the affected TMJ joint.
Injections: Some doctors may recommend an injection for TMJ treatments. A drug named Botox or Botulinum toxin type A is given in the form of injection. This drug is manufactured from the same bacteria that cause food poisoning. Some symptoms of TMJ seriously alleviate, with the help of Botox injections.
Important point to be noted over here is that FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not accepted Botox for TMJ treatment. However, FDA has approved Botox for treating eye muscle disorder, underarm sweating, cervical dystonia and for cosmetic use. Your doctor will best guide you upon this.
Acupuncture: This method is considered to be part of most comprehensive TMJ treatment. It provides temporary pain relief, and it delivers questionable effective as TMJ treatment. Hence, this method is suggested only for short term pain relief.
Occusal Adjustments: This TMJ treatment can be a valued method if done in the right manner and at the right time. However, According to NIH( National Istitutes of Health) consider occusal adjustment as an irreversible treatment that can worse the problem. To bring the bite into balance, grinding of teeth is done. This treatment should be done under the guidance of specialists and is done only in the worst situations.
Jaw Implant and surgery: These TMJ treatment is considered to be the last option. The original temporomandibular jaw is replaced by an artificial jaw. It may improve the function in the patients which have had multiple prior jaw surgeries. Studies have shown that these TMJ treatments do not pointedly reduce pain. It is suggested that before going for any such replacement surgery, you should fully understand the risks and benefits.
Self Help Tips: Within several months and weeks, jaw problems often resolve on their own. You may find relief, if you have recently experienced TMJ dysfunction or pain. Some of the Therapies for TMJ treatment are:
• Use of ice packs can reduce the inflammation; promote healing by numbing the pain. Wrap the ice into a cloth and place it on the affected area for 5 – 10 minutes. Do not apply ice directly on the skin.
• Hot water bottle or heat packs wrapped in a moist towel can reduce pain and improve function of jaws.
• Blended or soft diet like soup, porridge helps in resting the jaws temporarily Avoid using chewy, hard and crunchy food.
• Gentle and slow jaw exercises helps in increasing the healing and jaw mobility. Your doctor will evaluate your jaw condition and suggest you some therapeutic jaw exercises. Regular exercising has proven to be the best treatment for TMJ treatment.
• Relaxing techniques, side sleeping, yawning and by relaxing facial muscles helps you in recovering from TMJ disorders.
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