Finding the Best Treatment for TMJ Pain relief

TMJ is a more popular term that is short for Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders.  TMJ is made up of muscle and joint pains in the jaw that may result from trauma to the jaw, stress, hormones, and other factors.  Pain in the jaw, shoulders, face, neck, limited range of movement, muscle stiffness, and clicking and locking of the jaw are some of the usual symptoms that are included with TMJ.

Since the scientific evidence of the specific causes and effective treatments of TMJ pain relief is till limited, various treatments may be more effective for different people.

The TMJ Association has stated that the best treatment for TMJ may be no treatment at all.  This means that people who suffer from TMJ disorders should avoid surgery as much as possible because the effectiveness of such procedures has not been scientifically proven by long-term studies.

In most cases, TMJ will disappear on its own sooner or later.  Treatments used for TMJ pain relief that cause changes in the structure of the jaw and bite can result to difficulties with dental works like crowns and bridges.

It is recommended by the TMJ Association to try self-care procedures before moving onto more invasive and complex treatments.  Such procedures include using ice packs and over-the-counter pain relief, eating softer foods, and avoiding chewing gum.

Other than the recommended self-care procedures, there are other ways to help TMJ pain relief that may be safer than surgery.  The most frequently preferred medical treatment for TMJ is known as a stabilization splint, which is basically a mouth guard that is fitted over the top or bottom teeth.

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Since there have not been many studies that shows the long-term effects of using the stabilization splint, it is suggested for it to be used only for short periods of time.  Using it for a long period of time may result in the structure of your mouth and bite to change, which could lead to even more serious problems.

Some people prefer to use the splint at night to help train themselves from grinding their teeth and unintentionally tensing their jaw muscles.  There are numerous devices that are marketed commercially for TMJ pain relief. Mouth guards that actually have a sensor that beeps when you grind your teeth or bite down are also now available.  However, the product does claim to disturb your sleep with the noise, which will condition you to further relax your jaw.

A few irreversible treatments also do exist, although they are rarely recommended.  These are commonly used by patients with severe symptoms who seem unable to find TMJ pain relief in other treatments.  Dental procedures such as grinding down the teeth and implementing crown and bridge work to balance the bite can sometimes be done.

Others will even undergo surgeries that implant a stabilizing device in the jaw.  However, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, these surgeries are often ineffective since it causes damage to the jaw and results in even more pain.