Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can cause many uncomfortable symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing. TMJ disorder affects your joint, which connects your jaw to your skull, which causes these painful symptoms.
If you are looking for TMJ treatment in Los Gatos, then it is important for you to consult with a professional as TMJ disorder can vary greatly, and it needs a treatment that is based on your condition. There are many ways to manage TMJ. These can include some conservative methods like physical therapy and oral appliances to more advanced dental treatments.
Read this article to learn more about this treatment, like its benefits and limitations, and to learn how it can help you get the best relief possible. Knowing more about TMJ disorder can help you in making the right decision.
Understanding Conservative TMJ Treatment Approaches
The majority of people start their TMJ treatment with conservative approaches, which basically focus on getting relief from symptoms without any invasive procedure. These methods help in removing.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Simple lifestyle modifications can help relieve TMJ symptoms. These are the first defense weapon. Making simple diet changes like eating soft food can help in reducing strain on jaw muscles. Also, avoid chewing hard or chewy foods as they can cause inflammation and make your recovery slow.
Stress Management Techniques
Stress can make TMJ issues worse because of jaw clenching or muscle tension. Do some relaxing exercises like deep breathing, meditation, and gentle yoga, which can get relief from stress and reduce jaw strain.
Physical Therapy for TMJ
Doing physical therapy can help target the muscles that are present around the TMJ. These therapies can help get back the range of motion and improve joint function.
Manual Therapy Techniques
These include some manual techniques like massage and joint mobilization. This helps in relaxing tight jaw muscles and improves blood circulation, too.
Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Some exercises like gentle stretching and jaw movements can improve flexibility and help prevent recurring pain.
Posture Training
Poor posture can worsen your TMJ symptoms because poor posture can increase pressure on the jaw and neck. You should focus on your posture and train to maintain proper posture, which can help reduce TMJ strain.
Oral Appliances and Splints
Dental appliances, or splints, are used to position the jaw, prevent grinding, and reduce joint stress. These can include Night Guards or Repositioning Splints, which are very effective in dealing with TMJ symptoms.
Night Guards
Wearing a night guard before going to sleep can help keep your teeth safe from grinding your teeth while sleeping or preventing you from clenching your jaw. Grinding and jaw clenching makes TMJ symptoms worse.
Repositioning Splints
These are worn during the whole day to keep your jaw stable and relaxed and prevent any kind of extra movement. They also help with proper alignment.
Advanced Dental Treatments for TMJ Disorders
When all the conservative methods do not work, then you can go for advanced treatments. These methods involve treating the root cause of TMJ disorder by procedures.
Orthodontic Adjustments for Jaw Alignment
If your TMJ issues are caused by misaligned teeth, then orthodontics can be a great solution. Getting braces and aligners can help slowly realign your teeth and relieve TMJ symptoms by improving jaw alignment. If your case is severe, then corrective surgery can be done to realign your jaw and improve its functionality.
Botox Injections
Botox has become popular recently to treat TMJ disorder as it can help relax your overactive muscles and also reduce tension in your jaw area.
The Botox is injected directly into the muscles around the TMJ, reduces its overactivity, and allows the joint to function without causing excessive strain. One of the biggest advantages is that you do not need to take any long breaks and can start your daily work immediately.
Surgical Interventions for TMJ Disorders
Surgery in TMJ treatment is kept as the last option, but it can be beneficial for patients who did not get any relief from other treatments.
Arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, and open-joint surgery can help alleviate pain and get back functionality by treating joint structure issues directly. Effective as it is, surgery can have a long recovery phase and some risks.
Contact a Professional Today
Getting relief from TMJ is possible with the right treatment. Contact a professional today to get a treatment plan based on your situation that fits your needs and helps you in getting a comfortable jaw movement.