TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a troublesome condition characterized by numerous problems that affect the functionality of the temporomandibular joint, which is in the jaw.
In many cases, TMJ disorder causes a tremendous amount of pain. From jaw tenderness and uncomfortable chewing to debilitating headaches and more, TMJ and its array of symptoms can often interfere with your quality of life.
At the Los Angeles Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our oral surgeons are experienced in addressing and treating TMJ disorder to you live a more comfortable life. We offer a range of TMJ disorder treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical.
Treatment for TMJ Disorder
In our experience, the best TMJ disorder treatment includes a personalized combination of lifestyle changes and professional assistance, such as surgical treatment. If your symptoms are more severe, we may recommend jaw surgery to address the root cause of your TMJ disorder, which will better provide long-lasting results.
Lifestyle Changes
For many with TMJ disorder, lifestyle changes and self-care techniques are enough to foster healing and address any pain associated with the condition. In many cases, our lifestyle changes and techniques include the following.
Posture Improvement
Our bodies are designed to be in correct alignment for proper functioning and mobility. However, in today’s modern world, many of us are constantly hunched over, either looking at a phone, computer, or something else.
This can significantly impact how an individual’s jaw functions, as slouching can cause the spine to bend and the jaw to protrude, impacting the temporomandibular joint and causing numerous issues.
Stress Management
When you’re stressed, do you ever notice how tense your body is? This tension may often lead to additional pain throughout the body, which can exacerbate TMJ disorder symptoms. Through stress management techniques, you can learn how to calm the mind and release bodily tension, helping to ease TMJ symptoms.
Release Muscular Tension
Many people with TMJ disorder often clench their jaw, even when not in use. Our experienced oral surgeons often recommend you consciously relax and rest your jaw by keeping the teeth apart when you’re not using it. This helps to release muscular tension in the temporomandibular joint, which may alleviate pain and discomfort.
Customized Mouth Guard
Another common treatment for TMJ disorder is getting a mouth guard prescribed and fitted by one of our oral surgeons. A TMJ mouthguard is a hard piece of plastic that fits snugly over the teeth to help reposition and stabilize the jaw. This eases TMJ disorder symptoms by reducing pressure from the jaw and temporomandibular joint.
Jaw Exercises
Stretching and strengthening the jaw muscles is important for improving flexibility and range of motion. At our state-of-the-art clinic in Los Angeles, our oral surgeons will teach you specific jaw exercises you can implement daily to help with your TMJ disorder symptoms.
Temporarily Avoiding Certain Foods
Extremely hard and very chewy foods may worsen your symptoms. We may recommend you avoid these foods for a while to see if this helps to improve your TMJ disorder symptoms.
Prescription Medication
In some cases, your oral surgeon may prescribe anti-inflammatories, pain medication, muscle relaxers, or something else to help address and treat your TMJ disorder. These can help relieve pain by reducing swelling and relaxing any muscle tension.
Jaw Surgery for TMJ Disorder Treatment
As mentioned above, sometimes lifestyle changes and techniques alone are not enough to correct the condition. In this case, your doctor may recommend jaw surgery to effectively control and treat your symptoms.
At the Los Angeles Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we offer the following jaw surgeries to treat TMJ disorder.
- Arthrocentesis
- TMJ arthroscopy
- Modified condylotomy
- Open-joint surgery
For more information on each surgery, please contact us. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have regarding surgical treatment for TMJ disorder.
Address TMJ Discomfort with Specialized Care
If you are struggling to move through your day without jaw pain, we urge you to contact the oral surgeons at the Los Angeles Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. We provide the highest level of care and pride ourselves on finding effective TMJ disorder treatments for your situation. To request a consultation or learn more about our services, contact us by calling (310) 842-4811 or send us a message online.
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