Bite Problems & TMJ - Treatment Consideration
To judge your condition your dentist will do a detailed exam which may include x-rays. Depending on what your dentist finds, he or she may suggest a plan to treat your TMD.
Your dentist may also refer you to a dental specialist with extra training in TMD. This could be an oral surgeon (also called an oral and maxillofacial surgeon), and oral pathologist, an orthodontist, a periodontist or a prosthodontist. If your dentist refers you to dental specialist, he or she will explain what that specialist does.
Treatment may include the following
Referral
Referring you to another health care worker to help you ease muscle pain that occurres when you open your jaw. This could be a physiotherapist, a chiropractor and / or a behavioral therapist.
Correcting problems with your teeth
If you have a bad bite, braces or other dental work may be used to correct the problem. Teeth that are causing the problem can sometimes be reshaped to fit together better.
Taking medicine
Depending on the cause of your TMD, medicine for pain, inflammation, tense muscles or depression may help.
Wearing a night guard or bite plate (also called an occlusal splint)
An occlusal splint is made of clear plastic. It fits over the biting surface of the teeth of one jaw so that you bite against the splint rather than your teeth. This helps your jaw joints and muscles to relax. Depending on your TMD, your dentist may tell you to wear a splint 24 hours a day, only at night, or for some length of time in between.
Having surgery
If none of the other treatments have worked, or if it is VERY hard to open your jaw, you MAY need surgery.
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Bite Problems & TMJ Services
Bite Problems & TMJ | Signs & Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment Consideration
What You Can Do
