Appliances Are In Now: How To Manage TMJ Disorder

By Jeffrey L. Brown, DDS

Sleep & TMJ Therapy

. http://sleepandtmjtherapy.com/

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Appliances Are In Now: How To Manage TMJ Disorder

In this short blog we will discuss various aspects of how you can manage your TMJ disorder. First and foremost is an understanding of the situation – this means proper diagnosis which will likely include a CBCT X-Ray and an MRI of the jaw joints to check the status of the articular discs. This is critical when it comes to determining a course of treatment. If you end up wearing various appliances for your treatment, it also helps to manage the discomfort that has been with you all this time until the appliances can begin to do their work.

One of the forefront therapies that help heal damaged joints and muscles is called laser with a TMJ massage. This treatment involves a therapeutic laser that patients often call ‘delicious’ and comforting while the muscles of the head and neck receive a massage treatment. Soon enough, our office will also the Er:YAG and the Nd:YAG lasers that will offer an even deeper level of treatment that helps to release the fascial tissue even further. The fascial tissue is like a layer of saran wrap that goes all over the body and is oftentimes tight and irritating to the person. As the fascia releases, the displaced TMJ disc has a better chance of going back into proper position.

Using a body worker- either a physical therapist or an osteopath- are other avenues to help manage TMD pain. Both options are quite effective in many cases. What both do is a ‘hands on’ the body approach to help re-align the cranium and spinal column right on down to the sacrum. This re-alignment of the majority of the body allows the jaw joints discs a better chance to get back into place. Many patients try both the D.O. (Osteopath) and the P.T. (Physical Therapist) to see which one is more effective for them and then enter a regular schedule of treatments that of weekly visits at first and then longer in between visits as improve is achieved.

One of the most obvious adjuncts to TMD treatment is of course diet and exercise. Let’s start with exercise. For most people,  it is a good idea to at least walk every day. Start off with a half mile or so in the beginning and then work up to several miles per day. Walking is one of the best medicines that really helps to heal the body. You get your blood flowing and the muscles moving, which is what our bodies were designed to do. There really should not be any heavy lifting or over exertion during treatment.  This will cause a strain on the area we are trying to fix. Diet is another issue. A person with TMD should eat softer foods to avoid pressure on the jaw joints. Obviously, the hard and crunchy foods should be avoided. Once the TM joints are doing well, normal eating should be possible.