If you have been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), the next step is to speak with Dr. Mayoor Patel about what treatment plans might work best for you. The severity of TMD will vary from person-to-person, which means there will be a variety of options available for treatment.
To help you gain a better understanding of your treatment options for TMD, we’ve listed a few options.
Oral appliance therapy
Oral appliances may help reduce tension on the jaw muscles and the joint. Permanent changes in the bite through extensive crown or bridgework and orthodontics have not been proven to be effective and may worsen TMD symptoms. If a contributing factor is teeth grinding or clenching, a splint or night guard can be worn while sleeping.
Clenching and grinding cannot be stopped but the oral appliance will help prevent tooth-to-tooth wear. The goal is that TMD symptoms will be reduced as the affected area experiences a period of reduced irritation and use. In other instances, if the severity of the TMD condition is much more intrusive and painful, then more invasive treatment options might be required.
However, special care must be taken before deciding to undergo any invasive solution. Surgical treatments are often irreversible and remain controversial, as they have not been proven effective by any studies or research.
Night splints
Another popular option for TMD treatment is a splint. Splints are put in place and prevent the upper and lower teeth from touching. These are typically worn at night to avoid any teeth clenching or grinding which would result in pain the next morning. Wearing these splints will enable your jaw muscles and joints to relax and heal, relieving you from any pain.
After reviewing options for treatment of TMD contact us at Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine of Georgia to learn more.
