Getting Started with Your Treatment
After you’ve been officially diagnosed with TMD, discovering effective treatments with Dr. Robinette here at Dentistry by Design is your next step. At our Spring Hill office, we may suggest a variety of methods to alleviate your pain and offer you different therapies that can help improve any discomfort.
In some cases, the symptoms of TMJ may go away on their own. However, that’s not always the case, and many patients will need specific treatment to mitigate your painful symptoms. In order to uncover the best solution for you, contact Dr. Robinette so he can take a look at your case and provide you with successful treatments.
Useful Medications
There are various types of medications that can be used to help alleviate your pain caused by TMJ. General pain relievers and anti-inflammatories are both easy to access, over-the-counter medications that can provide you with the relief you need.
Although mostly used for depression, tricyclic antidepressant medication can be used in low doses for pain relief, bruxism control, and sleeplessness.
When suffering from TMD, the muscles around your joint may frequently spasm. A muscle relaxant will often be the most effective treatment to calm your symptoms and pinpoint the source of your TMJ.
Find Success with Therapies
Physical therapy can always be a great aid in reducing your TMJ pain. Practicing exercises that stretch and strengthen your jaw muscles can be a useful, everyday method to ease your discomfort. For mild symptoms of TMJ, applying a heating pad or ice pack can also help diminish the pain or soreness in your jaw.
When TMJ symptoms are more severe, where you experience nearly intolerable pain and have trouble eating or sleeping, Dr. Robinette will recommend an occlusal appliance. These can range from mouth guards, night guards, or splints. Occlusal devices fit comfortably in the mouth and can help gently shift the jaw into a more comfortable position, decreasing your jaw pain while enhancing the quality of your sleep.
Surgical Procedures
Although not as common, in some extreme cases of TMJ where lockjaw or a deteriorated cartilage has occurred, Dr. Robinette may suggest you need surgery. These cases involve invasive treatments that require anesthesia and potential hospitalization for a short time.
In some distinct cases, surgery may be the best treatment to fix physical problems with a jaw joint that affects the quality of your life. If you can’t open or close your jaw, have a slipped disc, or the joint is rubbing directly on the bone, then surgical intervention will be the safest, most effective treatment to alleviate your TMJ and improve your well-being.
Alternative Relief
Some additional ways you can relieve your TMJ symptoms either within the comfort of your home or by seeking special care from a professional, include:
- Stretching and receiving a massage
- Refrain from overusing your jaw muscles
- Try out acupuncture with a specialist
- Breathing slowly and deeply to relax your muscles
- Use electronic devices (biofeedback) to monitor the tightness of your muscles
Discuss Your TMD with Dr. Robinette Today
Here at our Spring Hill dental office, we want you to live with comfort in your mouth and jaw and be capable of improving the movements in your jawbone and muscles.
In order to discover effective relief for your TMJ disorder, you’ll need to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Robinette so he can evaluate your unique case and offer you the right treatment.
Once we’ve discussed your options, we’ll be able to guide you towards your optimal TMJ solution.