TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. It is also known by the name of the TMJ or TMD syndrome. This refers to chronic or acute swelling of the temporomandibular joint that joins the lower jaw to the skull. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and its consequent dysfunction may result in ache/injury. TMJ Treatments can be administered in various ways since the disorder encompasses several health-care disciplines like neurology, dentistry, physical therapy and psychology. Austin’s Dr. Gregg Ueckert is the person you should see if you are in need of medication.

 

Causes of TMJ

Frequent neck-aches or headaches, with the pain getting worse when you clench your teeth

Habitual clenching or grinding of teeth

Difficulty in opening your mouth, eating or yawning

The jaw pops, clicks, catches, grates or locks when you open your mouth

Arthritis or other joint-related problems

Injury of the neck, head or jaws

Teeth meeting differently at different times

Teeth not touching their correct positions when you bite

 

Treatments for Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

TMJ Treatments Austin is proffered by dentist Dr. Ueckert who takes up the best methods technologically available to treat his patients. There are no principles to treat TMJ, though the Austin doctors do not focus on a single best treatment.

Soft foods in TMJ give your jaw a chance to rest. Avoid food that is thick or large, chewy, like a caramel apple, hard or crunchy like pretzel, hard roll or raw carrot. Austin experts, however, agree that conservative, non-surgical therapy is the best method to begin since surgery is complicated and is best left as a last resort.

TMJ can be treated with medicines including Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs or NSAIDs to alleviate swelling and muscle pain, muscle relaxants to relax tight jaw muscles, anti-anxiety drugs and anti-depressants. The latter used for these treatments however do not work on conditions of depression.

Splints are designed to fit over your teeth to prevent the upper and lower teeth from coming together, thereby making it impossible for a person to compress their teeth. Treatments Austin like these work by taking pressure off the TMJ muscles and jaw joints that help them rest and heal. Your dentist will determine when you should wear the splints (day or at night) and the duration of wearing.

 

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome: Tips for Relief

One of the treatments can be placing a fist under your chin while yawning and press up so as not to keep your mouth opening too wide.

Sleep on your back, not on your stomach.

Keep your teeth slightly apart for your jaw to open if your lips are closed.

TMJ treatments also include not resting your chin on your hand or holding the telephone between the shoulder and ears.

 

Other TMD and TMJ Treatments

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS: TMJ uses low-intensity electrical currents to help relax facial muscles and the jaw joint.

Ultrasound: In ultrasound treatment, deep heat and is applied to the joint if it lacks mobility or is painful.

Trigger-point injections: For this TMJ therapy, dentist injects anesthetic into facial muscles to reduce pain.