Non-Surgical Treatment Options for TMJ
Patients looking to treat TMJ without the use of medication or surgical procedures should consider the following:
- Night Guards/Oral Splints: Bruxism is typically treated with night guards/oral splints that have been customized to fit your mouth and can be worn while sleeping. It is important to be aware that wearing night guards/oral splints will not necessarily correct bruxism, but having the added buffer will significantly reduce the wearing away of teeth that can occur due to prolonged teeth grinding.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can train you on stretches that are specially designed to strengthen and stretch your jaw, which can help alleviate TMJ symptoms.
- Mindfulness/Relaxation Techniques: Stress is believed to be one of the underlying causes of bruxism, as evidenced by the increased likelihood of TMJ among individuals in high-stress occupations, such as lawyers, doctors, or CEOs. Practicing mindfulness and setting aside time to relax and limit highly stressful activities will not only improve your oral health, but it will also result in significant benefits to your overall physical and mental health.
- Education/Counseling: Patients whose TMJ symptoms are connected to underlying stress may benefit greatly from scheduling regular counseling sessions to better identify causes of stress in their lives and taking steps to eliminate, reduce, or change their reaction to those triggers.
- Hot/Cold Compresses: Although they will not correct TMJ, hot and cold compresses can provide temporary relief.
- Modified Diet: If you are eating foods that are especially sticky or hard, this added pressure may be at the root of your TMJ issues. Try switching to a soft food diet for a few weeks to see if your symptoms improve.
Surgical Treatment Options for TMJ
Although surgical treatment for TMJ is avoided if possible, patients who do not have success with non-surgical treatments may consider the following surgical treatments:
- Arthrocentesis: Removes inflammatory byproducts and debris by irrigating fluids through the joint.
- BOTOX/Corticosteroid Injections: Although not successful for everyone, some patients experience rapid relief following an injection of BOTOX or a corticosteroid into the joint, though the pain relief tends to be for a limited time, which means additional shots are necessary.
- Modified condylotomy: Joint space is increased to relieve TMJ pain.
- TMJ arthroscopy: A close view of the jaw joint is taken using a video lens and monitor to determine the underlying cause of TMJ symptoms. Following this, inflamed tissue is removed, the area is rinsed, and the jaw joint is realigned.
- Open-joint surgery: Typically avoided if possible, open-joint surgery can be an incredibly effective treatment option for correcting TMJ; however, it is the most invasive approach and has increased risks compared to other methods. If you are considering open-joint surgery, make sure that you are aware of and comfortable with these risks before scheduling the procedure.
How Much Does TMJ Treatment Cost?
At Periodontic Associates of Port Huron, we are committed to making sure you understand what the cost of treatment will be, and we will do everything we can to help you maximize your dental health benefits and explore third-party financing plans if necessary. One of our business coordinators will be happy to conduct a complimentary benefits analysis for you when you are in the office.
If you do not have insurance and are concerned about the cost of periodontal care, you are not alone. We understand that the cost of periodontal treatment is one of the biggest concerns our patients have, and we are committed to ensuring our patients receive the care they deserve and that the cost of treatment does not prevent this from happening. To learn more about all the financial options we offer, contact our office today.
For your convenience, we accept cash, check, credit cards, and financing.
Personalized Care and High Quality Services
At Periodontic Associates of Port Huron, we are committed to providing a comfortable, personalized experience built around your individual needs. Our experienced team takes the time to get to know each patient, answer questions, and understand your concerns and treatment goals. We believe that trust and open communication are essential to providing high-quality periodontal care.
If you have questions about TMJ Treatment or would like to schedule an appointment, contact Periodontic Associates of Port Huron at (810) 987-1400.
We look forward to helping you achieve a healthier, more confident smile.