If you are reading this, you probably already suspect that you have TMJ. It’s actually a misnomer – the proper term is TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). TMJ is just the acronym for the joint itself – the temporomandibular joint. You do not care about that, though. You only care that you are in pain.
What is TMJ Treatment?
TMJ treatment is anything that relieves the tension and pain in your temporomandibular joints, or your neck or jaw.
Treatments can vary, because the disorder is so diverse. Sometimes, treatment might just involve massage, or the use of a mouth guard to stop you from biting down (a lot of people do that while they sleep, and they do not even realize that they are doing it).
Sometimes, too, pain medication might be employed as a means of TMJ treatment. Splints are also sometimes used, and you might be a good candidate for TMJ treatment using splints if you find that when you open or shut your mouth, you experience a clicking or popping sound, if you have persistent headaches, ringing in your ears or difficulty chewing.
Surgery?
Sometimes, TMJ can be so severe that the only alternative is surgery. Fortunately, though, these cases are very rare. Most of the time, cases of TMJ can be treated using the methods previously described. TMJ can also sometimes be treated by means of orthodontic correction – in other words, braces. Again, though, the need to resort to this is not common. Most of the time, a candidate for TMJ treatment will respond to less serious measures.
The Final Word
The main thing to remember, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms outlined above, is that there is help available. No one needs to be in agony, because modern dentists know so much more now about TMJ than they ever did, and treatments are available.
Contact Port Washington Dental Care for TMJ Treatment
If you are experiencing pain in your neck, jaw, or shoulder, and you think that you might be a candidate for TMJ treatment, please do not hesitate to contact us at Port Washington Dental Care in Port Washington, NY. We will be happy to conduct a TMJ assessment and recommend a course of treatment. Call us at 516-378-1725.