What is TMJ Treatment and Why is it Necessary?

Do you frequently feel a clicking sensation in your jaw when you yawn or chew your food? What you’re feeling may come from a temporomandibular joint disorder. The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the joints and jaw muscles that make it possible to open and close your mouth. They are located on either side of your head and work together to allow you to chew, speak, and swallow. Problems with these muscles may occur, leading patients to require TMJ treatment. In minor cases, your dentist may recommend jaw-strengthening exercise. In more severe cases, orthodontic treatment may be recommended.

TMJ disorders can be caused by a variety of factors from arthritis, an injury, an improper bite, or teeth grinding (bruxism). If you think you may have a TMJ disorder, look out for common symptoms such as jaw tenderness, headaches, earaches, and facial pain.

Self-care strategies can be a great remedy for minor TMJ disorders that stem from your environment. For example, if you play a brass musical instrument, you may experience more stress on your jaw. You should try relaxing your facial muscles in between practices to alleviate the incoming jaw pain. Similarly, if you sleep on your stomach, you are causing tension in your jaw that can aggravate symptoms, so you should try changing your sleeping position to eliminate or reduce the tension.

Proper diagnosis is one of the most important steps before treatment. It includes a thorough analysis of the jaw’s joints and muscles to look for tenderness, clicking, or difficulty with jaw movement. This step also involves asking questions about the pain, its location, when it occurs, what makes it better or worse, and if it stays in one place. All this information is considered when your Blue Wave Orthodontist determines the best course of treatment for your TMJ complication, but it may not decipher the ultimate cause of the TMJ disorder. In most cases, a TMJ complication is caused by a combination of factors.

If your TMJ impediment involves locking of the jaw, it may be recommended by your dental professional that you get an MRI so that our orthodontists can accurately diagnose any joint discrepancies.

In many cases, a TMJ disorder may require corrective jaw surgery. A surgical orthodontist will require anywhere from one to several hours to complete the procedure, depending on the severity of the misalignment. In lower jaw surgery, the rear portion of the jawbone behind the teeth is separated and the tooth-bearing portion is moved forward or backward, as appropriate. In upper jaw surgery, the jaw can be repositioned forward or backward, or the jaw can be raised or lowered.

Those who undergo surgical TMJ treatment often see minor changes to their facial structure, typically in a more favorable way. So be prepared for signs of surprise from family and friends! Returning to one’s daily routine can take as little as one-two weeks, or up to the patient’s discretion or comfortability. The initial healing phase will take approximately 6 weeks, but keep in mind that completion of the entire healing process can take 9 to 12 months.

During the healing phase of your TMJ treatment, it is important that you maintain proper oral hygiene. If you’re not sure what the best at-home dental routine is after your procedure, you can discuss your options with your Blue Wave Orthodontist.

After the first week or two, you may think that your bite is getting worse rather than better. This is because your teeth are being moved into an improved, yet temporarily unnatural-feeling position. With time, your jaw function will return to feeling normal.

There are additional treatments that may be advised for your TMJ disorder, which can be done alongside or instead of surgical options depending on the severity of the misalignment. These treatments include exercises to strengthen jaw muscles, muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory medications, or a nightguard to reduce clenching or grinding of your teeth.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research also recommends a “less is often best” approach when treating minor TMR disorders at home. For example, they suggest eating softer foods, avoiding chewing gum and biting nails, and performing relaxing techniques to control jaw tension.

If you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can’t open or close your jaw completely, you should seek medical attention. Your dental professional can discuss possible causes and the best course of treatment for your specific complication. If you allow your condition to go on without professional treatment, you may be at risk for worsening arthritis, chronic clenching or grinding, or certain connective tissue diseases.

Before you worry, it’s important to remember sounds without pain in the jaw can be normal and may go away on their own. If your problem persists or worsens, you should seek help from your compassionate and experienced team of orthodontists at Blue Wave Orthodontics. For more guidance, ask one of our team members the next time you come in for an appointment! We look forward to helping you on your corrective dental journey to get the pain-free smile you’ve dreamed of! For more information on TMJ treatment, corrective jaw surgery, and the other types of dental services we offer, visit us online or call us at (203)202-7610 (Darien) or (914)967-2277 (Rye).