TMJ Treatment Options
Many treatment options exist for TMJ Pain. We always want to start with the least invasive treatment. A soft diet, over the counter pain medications and time often resolve the problem.
If the issue persists, further diagnosis and treatment become necessary. A full TMJ exam is the first step after eliminating tooth issues and ent issues. Joint imaging and/or a sleep study may be needed to fully understand the problem. Once a diagnosis is made treatment options can be discussed.
Treatment options include: splint therapy, physical therapy, trigger point therapy and prolotherapy to name a few. Surgery or disc arthroscopy should be only in worst case scenarios. In many cases, the discomfort can be treated without surgery.
The medical-dental community is learning more and more about TMJD pain. At one time, a flat nightguard was the recommended treatment for everyone (even if they were having pain during the day and not the night- Yes, I know, that doesn't make any sense!). If that didn't improve the issue the patient was sent for surgery. Luckily, the medical and dental communities have found a variety of less invasive solutions.