TMJ Treatment

In case your TMJ problems are because of an improper bite, you might have to undergo orthodontic treatment to get the correct bite and teeth alignment. If an incorrect bite is left untreated, it will exaggerate your TMJ pain.

Acupuncture therapy involves inserting fine needles into “trigger points” in your facial muscles to relieve muscle tension and soreness. It also helps reduce muscle pain, swelling and spasms.

Other treatment options available are ultrasound therapy, radio-wave therapy or laser therapy.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy utilizes small electrical currents to relax or massage your jaw muscles. During the procedure, tiny electrodes deliver tingling sensations to your jaw which reduces the perception of pain. TENS also stimulates the release of endorphins- which are the body’s own pain-relieving chemicals. TENS is a great non-invasive treatment option for TMD. A session of TENS therapy lasts for 30-60 mins.

Most surgical procedures for TMD are performed under general anaesthesia ie you will be put into a deep sleep where you won’t be able to feel any pain during the procedure. Depending on the type of problem you have with your TMJ, you can have

• Arthrocentesis- The dental surgeon will inject liquids into your joint space to wash it out, clear any bone chips or fragments, relieve pressure within the joint and also facilitate smooth movement of the joint. Pain-relieving medication may be deposited in the joint space. Usually, two needles are used: one to deposit the liquids and one to remove the liquids.
• Arthroscopy- In this procedure, the small cut will be made in the skin and a small tube attached to a video camera will be inserted into the joint space for better visualization of the problem. The surgeon can then remove inflamed tissue, flush out the joint or adjust the parts of the joint to fix your TMD.
• Open Joint Surgery- This is the most invasive procedure that requires making a cut in your ear region to fully visualize your joint space. The required adjustments are made to the joint and then the area is sutured up

Once all diagnostic procedures have been completed, an impression of your teeth will be taken. A custom dental appliance will then be fabricated in the lab for you.

Treatment for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) is not a single or one-step process. It requires a comprehensive approach involving different treatment modalities.

1. Lifestyle modifications & Home therapies
   Individuals with TMD are advised to apply lifestyle modifications and home therapies that may contribute to the overall treatment process
   – Avoidance of hard foods or foods that require a lot of chewing
   – Refraining from excessive mouth opening like yawning, singing or yelling
   – Stress management
   – Physical therapy like jaw exercises & massages
   – Hot and cold compresses
2. Pain medication
   Your dentist will first manage the TMJ pain and associated headaches with pain medication. OTC pain relief drugs like ibuprofen or paracetamol are usually not strong enough to relieve TMJ pain. Therefore, you may be prescribed muscle relaxants for relaxing the jaw and facial muscles, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation or low dose anti-anxiety & antidepressants for pain relief.
3. Orthodontic correction
   In case your TMJ problems are because of an improper bite, you might have to undergo orthodontic treatment to get the correct bite and teeth alignment. If an incorrect bite is left untreated, it will exaggerate your TMJ pain.
4. Appliance therapy
   Dental appliances like splits or mouth guards may be given to you for controlling your teeth clenching and grinding habits. They prevent the upper and lower teeth from meeting and may also help in correcting the bite. Splints are to be worn all day whereas mouth guards are to be worn at night.
5. Surgery
   If you require a more reliable or permanent treatment, then surgery is the best option for correcting your Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). Different surgical options are available depending on what the cause of your TMD is. The most commonly performed surgeries are arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, and total open joint surgery.