What Are the Treatments for TMJ Disorder?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder creates pain and discomfort in the jaw joint directly in front of the ears. Sufferers have difficulty eating, speaking and making facial expressions. This disorder can be treated in several ways, ranging from minor home remedies such as icing the jaw to more involved treatments such as drugs and surgery.

Home Remedies

• TMJ disorder sometimes goes away on its own. People suffering from this disorder should chew soft food, ice the jaw, and avoid too much talking or any other activity involving jaw movement, such as yawning.

Pain Relievers

• Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, which are generally considered safer than prescription medications, can be used to relieve the pain caused by TMJ disorder.

Prescription Medications

• For more severe cases of TMJ disorder, other medications may be required. These may include antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or injected treatments such as corticosteroid drugs or botulism toxin.

Therapy

• A health care practitioner might recommend using a bite guard to keep the patient from grinding the teeth at night or cognitive therapy to relieve stress. Stress often causes the patient to clench the jaw, which can lead to TMJ disorder.

Surgery

• The most severe cases of TMJ disorder may require surgery to correct the jaw joint, which may be partially or totally replaced to reduce bone-on-bone contact.

Less Is More

• Scientists sponsored by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to study TMJ disorder recommend as little treatment as possible, because currently there is no scientifically proven treatment.