The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the most commonly utilized and most complicated joint in the body. A healthy TMJ allows you to move your jaw without thinking or pain, but things can go wrong at any time. If left untreated, it can lead to death. Worry no more, Eric Koch, DDS, provides most of the TMJ Treatment in Jasper to alleviate the symptoms and help you lead a pain-free existence.
Outlined below are treatment options to alleviate your TMJ debilitating pain.
Lifestyle modification
TMJ problems affect most Americans at some point in their life, and the majority go away without therapy. There are a variety of at-home therapies you can use to alleviate your TMJ symptoms. These include over-the-counter medications, jaw exercises, and soft-food diets.
Bite correction
Customized dental splints help lessen general clenching, avoid tooth grinding, and maintain teeth straight. Splints relieve TMJ pain while posing a low risk of long-term negative effects. If you have moderate TMJ symptoms, bite guards help to alleviate the symptoms. A TMJ mouthguard and a bruxism mouthguard are the two most common types of dental splints that your physician may recommend to relieve your pain.
Injection
Injections of corticosteroids help to relieve inflammation and pain in your TMJ, as well as chronic jaw pain. Botox is a neurotoxin that paralyzes your jaw muscles, reducing clenching and relieving discomfort. The minimally invasive procedure takes less than 30 minutes and requires no downtime. Therefore, it helps you resume your normal routine without experiencing debilitating pain.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
It helps treat pain, low-voltage electric shocks relieve pain bypassing current modes in the inflamed area, and electric currents are transmitted via the nerves.
Surgery
Jaw surgery is done under general anesthesia. It poses several risks, including losing jaw movement, scarring, and the rejection of replacement joints. TMJ pieces can be repaired, repositioned, removed, and replaced in some cases. Therefore, contact doctor Eric Koch to have safer surgery.
The following are the surgery options;
- Arthrocentesis: Arthrocentesis is done by injecting fluid into your joint. The fluid washes out any chemical byproducts of inflammation and can help reduce the pressure that causes the joints to be stiff or painful. It can help you regain some of your jaw’s range of motion.
- Arthroscopy: Arthroscopy is done by opening a small hole in your skin above the joint. A narrow tube called a cannula is then inserted through the hole and into the joint; next, your surgeon will insert an arthroscope into the cannula. An arthroscope is a tool with a light and camera to visualize your joint.
- Open-joint surgery: An incision a few inches long is made over the joint to allow your healthcare practitioner to work on the joint itself during open-joint surgery. This form of TMJ surgery is usually intended if you have a severe TMJ problem that includes symptoms such as bone growth and fusion of joint tissue.
TMJ disorders can cause opening the mouth and eating to become difficult. Therefore, book an appointment today at Advanced Dental Care of East Texas and get rid of the clenching and grinding of your teeth. Be able to open your mouth and eat without fear of experiencing excruciating pain.