Treatment and Prevention
Four-fifths of people with temporomandibular joint problems recover in 6
months without any treatment. TMJ disorders that require treatment are those
that include:
- arthritis
- developmental or congenital abnormalities
- internal derangement
- injury
- muscle pain and tightness
- reduced or excessive mobility of the joint
If the TMJ disorder is caused by inflammation within the joint, physical therapy
and medications such as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin),* other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, or muscle relaxants work quite well. If a person is
experiencing severe pain and inflammation, the doctor or dentist may recommend
that a corticosteroid drug be injected into the joint to reduce discomfort.
Acupuncture and hypnosis are other techniques used by some dentists to decrease
pain and to relax muscles.
A soft diet may be recommended to reduce the strain on the TMJ caused by biting
and chewing.
If you're aware that you clench or grind your teeth, you can take steps
to break the habit. Splint therapy is the most popular and least invasive
treatment. A thin plastic night guard is specially made to fit over either your
upper or lower set of teeth and is then adjusted to provide you with an even
bite. Most night guards are worn at night to reduce grinding, although they
can also be used during the day. They can also prevent damage to your teeth.
In addition, biofeedback/relaxation therapy, physical therapy, and other behavior
modification techniques can help.
If you have abnormalities in the alignment of your teeth that are causing TMJ
problems, your dentist may correct this by balancing biting surfaces, replacing
missing teeth, or replacing uneven or defective fillings or crowns.
Misalignment of the TMJ is usually treated with a plastic bite plate or
splint that helps promote better alignment of your jawbones. This corrective
device is also worn over your teeth and will help to reestablish proper alignment.
As with the night guard used to prevent grinding, you should bring this device
with you when you visit your dentist, as it may need to be adjusted occasionally.
Your dentist may also recommend changes in your chewing habits such as limiting
gum chewing or avoiding firm foods such as caramels, non-tender meats, raw carrots,
and celery. You may also be asked to try to limit opening your mouth wide when
you yawn.
If your symptoms continue despite treatment, you may be referred to a specialist
in oral and maxillofacial surgery to repair or to remove the disc that separates
the adjacent bony surfaces of the TMJ or to re-align the bones.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.