If you’re suffering from Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) pain, stiffness or dysfunction, you may be wondering what treatment options are available near you. Finding an effective TMJ treatment plan is important for managing painful TMJ symptoms and improving daily function.
There are both conservative and advanced treatment options for TMJ disorders depending on the severity of your condition. When searching for “TMJ treatment near me,” find a provider experienced in tailored plans to meet your needs, like Novudentics Prosthodontics.
Treatment for TMJ Pain
If you have pain associated with TMJ, whether it’s jaw pain, headaches or ear pain, your treatment provider may first recommend conservative pain relief options. These may include:
- Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen to temporarily alleviate discomfort.
- Applying hot or cold compresses to the jaw area for pain relief.
- Trying soft foods and liquid diets to put less strain on the TMJ joint when chewing.
- Physical therapy like gentle jaw stretches and exercises to increase mobility.
- Stress reduction techniques if clenching and grinding worsen TMJ pain.
Seeing improvement from these conservative efforts takes consistency over time. If unrelenting facial pain persists, your provider may suggest injections or surgery for long-term TMJ pain relief.
Treatment for TMJ Stiffness
Difficulty opening your mouth or TMJ locking may signal muscular or joint stiffness related to the TMJ. Initial treatment approaches focus on stretching and range of motion exercises tailored to each patient.
Your physical therapist or dentist can demonstrate gentle TMJ stretches to perform multiple times per day at home along with massage techniques. They may also utilize hand mobilization or devices to coax the jaw open wider if overly restricted.
Over time, reducing inflammation and continuing motion exercises aims to improve TMJ mobility. When conservative efforts fail to increase range of motion, arthrocentesis procedures or surgery may be necessary to eliminate stiffness.
Laser Therapy for TMJ Nearby
At our prosthodontics office, we utilize the latest laser therapy technology to go deep in the tissue and help relax the muscles around the TMJ. Our Class IV therapeutic lasers allow us to penetrate at multiple wavelengths to effectively target inflammation and pain receptors.
During quick, non-invasive laser therapy sessions, the photonic energy helps ease muscle tension in the jaw, neck, and facial area leading to less discomfort and restored mobility of the temporomandibular joint. Patients appreciate the lack of side effects with laser treatments.
By precisely calming muscle spasms and reducing inflammation surrounding the TMJ, our laser therapy gets to the source of the pain for lasting relief. This allows patients to return to normal function free of the difficulties of TMJ disorders. Our prosthodontists individualize laser therapy based on each patient’s case for superior outcomes.
Other Advanced Treatment Techniques
For moderate to severe TMJ dysfunction not improving with conservative care, your provider may discuss advanced treatments like:
- TMJ Injections – Cortisone shots directly into the joint can temporarily decrease inflammation and pain.
- Arthrocentesis – This minimally invasive procedure flushes the TMJ to release adhesion and improve mobility.
- TMJ Surgery – As a last resort, surgical interventions aim to repair damaged joint structures contributing to dysfunction.
The best treatment course depends greatly on each patient’s medical history, exact diagnosis and preferences for care. When searching “TMJ treatment near me”, partner with us at Novudentics in Royal Palm Beach, FL. We’re an advanced prosthodontics facility that specializes beyond what most normal dentists can offer.
