TMJ is a complicated disorder and, thus, there is more than one way to approach a TMJ treatment. Doctors, researchers and practitioners all hold different beliefs about TMJ and the best way to approach it. This is because TMJ is a complicated and, sometimes, difficult disorder to understand and cope with.The multiple approaches to treatment range in severity from natural, simple exercise programs, to mouth guards and splints, to surgical intervention.
The treatment for TMJ will depend almost exclusively on the cause of TMJ. The most common cause of TMJ is bruxism, more commonly known as teeth grinding. Bruxism creates stress on the joints that connect the jaw to the skull and causes inflammation.
If this is consider the cause mouth guards are the most common treatment. Meanwhile misalignment of the jaw, or faulty dental work is also consider a cause of TMJ and may require natural treatment plans, and in some cases surgical intervention.
Because of the complex nature of TMJ there is a variety of different treatment options for TMJ sufferers. A doctor, or practitioner is the best person to diagnose the cause of TMJ and thus can lay out the best treatment for the specific case. Each case is different and thus treatment success will vary.
Mouth Guards and Splints as a TMJ Treatment
It is believed that grinding of the teeth often causes TMJ; in fact, it is believed that teeth clenching and grinding in sleep is the leading cause of TMJ in adults. Because this is commonly the cause of TMJ most doctors will suggest a mouth guard or splint as a TMJ treatment to first time sufferers.
A mouth guard, as a TMJ treatment, is used in an attempt to prevent sufferers from grinding or clenching their teeth during their sleep, thus alleviate the pressure on the joints affected by TMJ. The mouth guards slip simply into the mouth at night and cradle the mouth slightly apart which prevents sufferers from clenching tightly and causing pressure on the joints of the jaw.
Splints, another common TMJ treatment, is used in a similar way, but instead of simply stopping the clenching the teeth the splint attempts to keep the mouth in the correct alignment and helps to alleviate the pressure that misaligned teeth cause on the jaw. Both mouth guards and splints are used as the first line of TMJ treatment. If these approaches don’t work doctors often move to more severe and life altering treatment options.
Surgical Intervention as a TMJ Treatment
When mouth guard treatment fails to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ many doctors believe surgical intervention is necessary to ensure the proper balance to the jaw and cure the TMJ. The surgical treatment relies on gaining access to the jaw through oral surgery. Once access is gained an oral surgeon attempts to clear the inflammation within the joint by way of arthrocentesis, or joint aspiration.
The joint is cleared out and washed with an solution aimed at lowering the inflammation in the area. In some surgical procedures the jaw is manipulated and placed back into proper alignment in hopes of correcting the disorder.
Surgical treatments are currently considered a last resort and only used on patients who have not responded to any other form of TMJ treatment. Mouth guards, splints, exercise and lifestyle changes are all suggested before surgery is brought up as a TMJ treatment. Surgeries of these nature, although oral in nature, carry inherent risks including infection and nerve damage that make many doctors leery of suggesting it as a first defense.
Natural Approaches to TMJ Treatment
While doctors will often suggest appliance and surgical treatment before natural approaches there are several natural ways to attempt to cure TMJ. Most natural treatments focus on the same process as the more severe forms of treatment, but approach it with a bit more trepidation. Under a natural, or holistic, approach sufferers are encouraged to engage in jaw exercises to alleviate the pressure on the jaw and strengthen the muscles around it.
Natural treatments, additionally, adhere to a strict eating plan, a multivitamin and a focus on self-care and knowledge to alleviate the pain of TMJ. Holistic approaches to TMJ are proven to work well for many sufferers who would rather forgo more expensive and extreme forms of treatment.
One of the top sources for a natural TMJ treatment is TMJ No More Program. It aims to give sufferers all the knowledge they will ever need to alleviate their symptoms and cure their TMJ without dealing with doctors.
The program focuses on exercises to strengthen, stretch and stabilize the joints associated with TMJ, a healthy approach to eating that won’t exacerbate the symptoms, and a mineral program designed to strengthen the entire body. TMJ No More Program holds the key to the most comprehensive, natural TMJ treatment plan to date.
