What is the Best TMJ Treatment?
The goal of treatment for a person suffering with TMD is primarily to get the patient out of TMJ pain and prevent further breakdown of the TMJ and related structures. This is accomplished with fabrication of an orthotic (a lower splint the repositions the jaw away from the neural plexus and creates room to potentially move the disc back into place). The orthotic will break the pain cycle and position the mandible such that the musculature and TMJ can work in harmony. Once a stable position is achieved and the jaw does not pop or hurt, an analysis of how the teeth come together is performed. The goal is to have the patient’s teeth come together the same way the splint had the jaw positioned, this is usually accomplished with reshaping teeth, orthodontics or gnathodontic jaw surgery. Orthotic therapy can take anywhere from 3 months to 3 years depending on the severity of joint and bone breakdown.
