Get Management Of Temporomandibular Disorders - Nih Consensus ... - Consensus Nih

Try simple self-care practices such as eating soft foods, using ice packs and avoiding extreme jaw movements, like wide yawning and gum chewing. Short-term use of over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines may also provide relief. Avoid treatments that cause permanent changes in the bite or jaw.

Surgery. If less invasive treatments fail to cure your TMJ, surgery may be an option. There are several surgical options available, including: Arthroscopy: key-hole surgery using a thin tube, camera, and light to insert surgical instruments to remove scar tissue, reposition the disk in the joint, or reshape the bone.

Why is TMJ surgery controversial? While the US food and drug administration does monitor the safety and effectiveness of artificial jaw joint implants, it is important to note that TMJ surgery is irreversible and there are no long-term clinical trials studying the safety and effectiveness of TMJ disorder surgeries.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be recommended for initial pharmacotherapy of TMD. The addition of a muscle relaxant is recommended if there is clinical evidence of muscle spasm. Cognitive behavior therapy and biofeedback improve short- and long-term pain management for patients with TMD.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) TENS therapy uses a small device to deliver low-level electrical impulses to the affected TMJ area. This treatment helps reduce muscle tension and pain by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) MRI is currently considered the reference method for imaging the soft tissue structures of the TMJ (articular disc, synovial membrane, lateral pterygoid muscle) and has been pointed out as the best imaging modality in diagnosing disc displacements [15,24,42–45].

Here are eight ways you can help relieve pain in your TMJ and manage symptoms without surgery: Maintain the resting position of your jaw. ... Correct your posture. ... Get a good night's sleep. ... Use a hot or cold compress. ... Reduce stress. ... Exercise your jaw. ... Take notice of bad habits. ... Avoid certain activities and foods.