TMJ/TMD Treatment

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ or TMD) is a common term describing problems with your TM joints. These joints connect your jaw to the skull and can wear down or become stressed over time. TMJ can include experiencing pain in your TM joints, as well as the nearby areas that are involved in the movement of these joints, such as muscles and nerves.

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There are many options for treating TMJ, although, in most cases, it may take some time before you are completely pain-free and your joints regain full mobility. Treatment options are determined by the severity of your condition. In many cases, your pain may subside from simple, conventional treatments. We recommend trying some of the following conservative treatments before undergoing more advanced procedures:

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• Eat soft foods

• Apply ice to the affected area

• Avoid intense jaw movements like big yawns and chewing gum

• Participate is stress reducing techniques

• Exercise your jaw with simple relaxing stretches

• Massage the affected area

• Take over-the-counter pain medication

 

If you have tried these conventional treatments and have not seen an improvement in your condition, our dentists may recommend an oral stabilizing splint. This customized oral appliance, also often called a bite guard, can help ease pain by preventing tooth grinding or clenching, a common cause of TMJ.