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What are the Treatment Options for TMJ? |
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Temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ or TMJ, is the name given to any number of issues that can affect your tempormandibular joint. Your TMJ is responsible for the movement of your jaw and, when misaligned, can lead to a number of serious dental and physical disorders. |
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| Author: Sara Goldstein |
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• Clicking or popping in your jaw
• Limited jaw mobility
• Complete lockjaw
• Tenderness or swelling around the jaw
• Chronic, debilitating headaches
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to visit your dentist immediately. The faster your TMJ is treated, the better your chances of avoiding surgical intervention.
TMJ Treatment Options
The most common treatment option for TMJ is a customized mouthguard from your dentist. After taking measurements of your bite to determine its optimal position, your dentist can create a mouthguard that will gently realign your jaw while you sleep. Optimal bite position is determined with the help of a TENS Unit that relaxes the muscles in your jaw allowing your dentist to map its optimal position.
Other nonsurgical methods of treating TMJ include jaw exercises and prescription medications that work to loosen the muscles around your TMJ. When these options fail to work, surgical procedures may be the only alternative.
Surgical treatments for TMJ generally include the implantation of an artificial jaw joint. Most TMJ symptoms can be treated without this invasive procedure and several dentists will do everything possible to avoid surgical intervention due to the risks of increased pain and discomfort that can accompany an artificial jaw joint. An experienced neuromuscular dentist will explore all possible alternatives before suggesting this method of treatment.
Why Treat TMJ
TMJ is not always painful which leads some people to question why it should be treated at all. Left untreated, TMJ can lead to painful symptoms, but also to larger issues including:
• Poor posture
• Sleep disorders
• Emotional disorders
• Malnutrition
• Dependence on pain relievers
Like any dental issue, treating TMJ is essential to avoiding serious medical issues later on. Even if your TMJ is not causing physical discomfort, it is best to treat the disorder as soon as it is detected to avoid any potential complications.
If you live in or around Burke, Fairfax, or Fairfax Station, Virginia, please visit the website of neuromuscular dentist Dr. Pamela Marzban to learn more about TMJ and the treatment options available.
About Author
Contact Dr. Pamela Marzban today if you need an experienced dentist in Fairfax, Virginia. She offers a wide variety of dental services, including family, general, cosmetic, and neuromuscular dentistry.
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