TMJ Treatment

TMJ treatment is necessary for those suffering from this joint problem. That is because a problem that affects this joint makes it hard for you to laugh, smile, talk, or even chew. TMJ disorders and related treatment techniques have been around for a long time, with modern technological advancements making it easier for diagnosis and treatment. Although many people with dental problems may experience a TMJ disorder, there are other causes of these problems.

In this article, we shall explain the TMJ, its various disorders, treatment techniques, and what you can do to avoid the said disorders. The article will aim to educate the reader on this topic to help them make informed decisions on how to deal with the problems associated with the TMJ joints. Continue reading the article for the best information about TMJ treatment.

What is TMJ Treatment

A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatment is the corrective action taken by dentists or other physicians to try and ease the pain of these joints. The TMJ is located on both sides of the head in front of the ears. They are the joints that connect the lower jaw bone to the skull and enable facial movements like talking, laughing, and chewing. A TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the jaw joints, muscles, and surrounding ligaments. These disorders make the normal functioning of these joints difficult or painful.

Before we can discuss the various ways that a TMJ disorder can be treated or managed, you should first learn about the causes and symptoms of TMJ disorders. Consultations and inquiries with dentists and physicians at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya, yielded the following results.

Causes of TMJ Disorders

The following were suggested as the main causes of TMJ disorders:

Arthritis. It is a disorder that causes the degeneration of joints and can affect the TMJ. In most cases, it affects those who are over 50 years.
Erosion of the TMJ joint. It is caused by over chewing or movement of the jaw bone.
Bruxism. It is over-grinding or clenching of the teeth. It mostly happens when someone is asleep.
Jaw issues present at birth. Some people are born with defective jaws or jaw muscles which will eventually lead to a TMJ disorder.
Growth disorders. Other people may develop a TMJ disorder during the growth and development of the bones and joints.

Physicians classify TMJ disorders under the following categories:

Myofascial pain. It is said to be the most common form of TMJ disorder. It results in pain and discomfort in the tissues covering the jaw muscles. Neck and shoulder pain may also result from the effects of this disorder.
Internal joint derangement. It is the TMJ disorder arising from the dislocation of the jaw or condyle (the rounded end of the jaw bone).
Degenerative joint disease. TMJ disorders due to rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis in the TMJ.

Common Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

Since you are aware of the main causes and groups of TMJ disorders, you should learn of the symptoms associated with these disorders. The following are the signs and symptoms you should look out for:

Pain in the jaw, especially in the morning and in the afternoon.
Unexplained unending headaches.
Sharp pain in the neck, shoulder, and back.
Earaches or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), which is not caused by an ear infection.
Locked jaw either in an opening or closed position.
Clicking or popping sounds of the jaw especially when opening and closing your mouth.
Difficult mouth movement especially when chewing.
Clenching and grinding of the teeth.
Sensitivity or pain of the teeth without a dental disease.
Unexplained swelling on either side of the face.
Changes in how the lower and upper teeth fit together.
A tired look on the face.
Unexplained dizziness.

Diagnosing TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders are mostly diagnosed during a routine >dental examination. One of the following or a combination may be done by the dentist while trying to diagnose TMJ disorders:

The dentist will check the movement of the mouth when opening and closing the mouth.
The dentist will also try to determine areas of discomfort by pressing on your face and jaw and observing your reactions.
The dentist will feel the jaw joints trying to see if there is any damage.

Apart from the above oral techniques, the dentist may order an x-ray to properly determine the problem and the extent of the problem. The following are the x-rays that may be necessary to gauge the disorder:

Panoramic x-rays. These x-rays give the dentist a broad look at your teeth, jawbone, and TMJs. The dentist will be better placed to ascertain the kind and extent of the damage if any.
Dental CT scans. These scans will capture thousands of images of your teeth, jaw, and facial bones. The images are then brought together to form a detailed 3-D image. These scans will give the dentist a thorough view of your facial structure.
MRI scan. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is used by dentists when they want to see detailed images of your teeth, jawbone, TMJs, and the surrounding tissues. These scans can tell the dentist whether or not the TMJ is functioning properly.

TMJ Treatment and Management

TMJ disorders and symptoms can be treated through home remedies, medication, therapies, and surgery/other procedures as explained below:

1. Home treatments

Dentists and other physicians will recommend home treatments for mild TMJ disorders. The following are some of the home self-care techniques you can apply to ease the symptoms of TMJ disorders:

Eat soft foods to reduce the pressure on the affected TMJ.
Use ice to reduce and manage the swelling.
Minimize or reduce activities that cause jaw movement like talking.
Avoid unnecessary chewing like chewing gum.
Reduce personal and body stress.
Practice some jaw-movement exercises to improve the functions of the TMJ.

2. Medications

Should the home treatments prove ineffective, some medications can help provide the necessary relief. These drugs can either be over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed, with the prescription being the best since they are recommended following a thorough review of your health and requirements. The most common medications used for TMJ disorder pain relief are:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Corticosteroids.
Muscle relaxers.
Antidepressants.
Local anesthetics.

3. Therapies

At times, the dentist or physician may recommend physical therapy if it can help relieve TMJ pain. The therapy recommended will depend on the area that needs attention. Some of the main therapies which may be recommended by a physician are:

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). It uses low-level electrical currents to reduce pain by relaxing your jaw joint and facial muscles. TENS can be completed at home or in your healthcare provider’s office.
Ultrasound. This is a deep heat treatment that is applied to the TMJ to relieve soreness or improve joint movement.
Trigger-point injections. Pain medication or anesthetic is injected into tender muscles of the face (called “trigger points”) to relieve pain.
Radio wave therapy. Radio waves create a low-level electrical stimulation to the joint, which increases blood flow and provides TMJ relief.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox). These injections help reduce muscle mass and inflammation.
Heat therapy
Cooling therapy
Acupuncture
Tissue mobilization
Resistance exercises
Stretches

4. Surgical procedures

Dentists and physicians at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic, Kenya, opine that a surgical procedure should only be considered after all the other treatment methods have been tried and still there is pain or inflammation on the TMJ. While a surgical procedure may be the best option for you, the physician should explain all the other options so that you should be able to make an informed decision. The type of surgical procedure to be performed will depend on the symptoms and complexity of the TMJ disorder.

The following are the main types of surgeries that can be performed to treat or manage TMJ disorders:

Arthrocentesis It is a minor surgery conducted under anesthesia when the jaw suddenly locks in a closed position. The procedure can also be used to reduce inflammation of the TMJ. The procedure involves needles filled with sterile fluids which are inserted into the affected joint to wash them out.
Arthroscopy It is a procedure that is carried out under anesthesia. The surgeon will make an incision in front of the ear and insert a small thin instrument that contains a lens and light. The instrument is then connected to a video screen to enable the surgeon to examine the TMJ and the surrounding area. Depending on the cause of your pain, the surgeon will then know the best cause of treatment. Arthroscopy is touted as among the best surgical procedures since it involves a small incision which means a small scar, less recovery period, and fewer complications as compared to the other surgical methods.
Open-joint surgery. It is the traditional surgical procedure for treating TMJs. It is also done under anesthesia whereby the incision into the front of the ear is made but larger than in arthroscopy. The method, therefore, results in a larger scar and a longer healing period. Surgeons use this method when they are sure the other surgical procedures will not yield the expected results.

Practices to Help Manage TMJ Disorders

The following are the recommended practices to help you manage TMJ disorders:

Maintain the resting position of the jaw. To help alleviate TMJ pain, minimize wide jaw movements, such as chewing, yawning, singing, and yelling. Do your best to keep your muscles as relaxed as possible.
Choose a good posture. When working, choose a chair with back support and take frequent breaks to improve your posture. While driving, set your seat to be as upright as possible, and while doing leisure activities, such as watching TV or reading, choose a space that allows you to sit upright and place a pillow behind your back for support.
A good night’s sleep. To help minimize TMJ pain, sleep on your back and use pillows to support your neck. You should avoid sleeping on your stomach, and if sleeping on your side, do not place your hand on your jaw.
Use a cold or hot compress. Apply a hot or cold compress to your jaw for 15 to 20 minutes at a time using a light layer between the compress and your skin.
Reduce stress. Yoga practices can also help put less stress on your muscles, and gardening is a great activity to try to calm your mind and relax your face.
Exercise the jaw. Three types of jaw exercises can be used together to relieve pain, that is, stretching, relaxation, and strengthening exercises.
Avoid bad habits. Some habits can cause TMJ pain or worsen an existing problem. Some of these habits are, nail-biting, chewing lips/cheeks, resting the jaw in your hands, Clenching your teeth, and grinding your teeth.
Avoid some foods and activities. They are the activities or foods that may make you open your mouth forcefully or extremely move the jaw. Some of these activities and foods are yawning/yelling, crunchy/hard foods, taking large bites of food, foods that require an extended chewing period, and gum chewing.

FAQs About TMJ Disorders

When should I seek TMJ treatment?

A lot of people ask when they should seek treatment for TMJ disorders. If you experience common symptoms such as jaw pain, difficulty opening your mouth, or clicking and popping of the jaw, schedule a visit with your physician right away. You should also schedule an appointment if you grind or clench your teeth, as this can lead to TMJ disorders.

Can TMJ disorders go away on their own?

Some ask if TMJ disorders can go away on their own. The answer is YES, but it will depend on the cause. For example, if you have TMJ pain due to a temporary period of stress, your symptoms will likely subside once the stress is no longer a factor. However, if your TMJ pain is due to jaw misalignment or the way your teeth fit together, you will likely have chronic problems that will only improve with treatment.

What happens if TMJ disorders are left untreated?

Many people want to know what will happen if TMJ disorders are not treated. If left untreated, TMJ disorders can lead to significant health problems, including chronic pain and inflammation. They can also cause bite issues, tooth erosion, and long-term conditions such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

Can I permanently get rid of TMJ disorders?

Some people ask if TMJ disorders can be permanently treated. The answer is YES. Once you exhibit the symptoms described above, the next step should be to seek immediate medical attention. The dentist or physician will evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment option. Note that the earlier these disorders are treated, the better the chances of completely getting rid of them.

How long does TMJ treatment take?

Another common question among many people is how long it will take for TMJ disorders to heal. Proper treatment takes between 18 months and three years for adults. Therapies like massaging the jaw, reduction of stress, and others only provide relief to the pain, but they will not comprehensively take care of the problem. However, it will take several weeks or months before realizing the full benefits of any treatment.

What is the cost of TMJ treatment?

Many people will want to know the costs associated with TMJ treatments. The cost of TMJ treatment will depend on the kind of treatment to be done. Therapies and drug treatments are cheaper than surgical procedures. For therapies and drug treatments, the patient should expect to pay between Kshs. 50,000 and Kshs. 200,000.

For surgical TMJ treatments, patients should expect to pay between Kshs. 5000,000 and Kshs. 1 million. Unfortunately, many health insurance schemes do not cover TMJ treatment since these joints are not considered as part of the normal human joints. Therefore, the patient should check if their insurance policy covers the costs of TMJ treatments before starting the treatment process.

Final Thoughts

The kind of TMJ treatment appropriate for you will depend on the extent of the damage and the physical health of the patient. Once visit a dentist or physician with TMJ disorders, the first step will be to properly diagnose your condition. Proper diagnosis will be achieved through oral check-ups or x-rays. The dentist will then recommend the best treatment depending on the results of the diagnosis.

TMJ treatments can either be home-based, drug-based, therapeutic, or surgical. Home-based and drug-related treatments are for mild conditions of TMJ disorders, with the more severe cases being handled through therapies and surgical procedures. Surgeries will only be recommended if all the other alternatives prove unable to deal with the problem. If your treatment is done through a surgical procedure, you should expect a long healing process which will be inconvenient and uncomfortable for you.

Finding the right health care provider goes a long way in determining how well your TMJ disorders will be treated. The Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya, is one of the best centers for TMJ treatments.

Book an appointment by CLICKING HERE for consultation and treatment in any of our dental clinics in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos, and Nakuru counties for the best TMJ Treatment in Kenya.