TMJ Treatment Options

Since no two patients have the same condition, your treatment will vary depending on your diagnosis. There are several different TMJ treatments available with some working better than others. These include:

  • At-home care
  • Physical therapy or chiropractic care
  • Oral appliances
  • Holistic therapy
  • Medication
  • Reconstructive dentistry and orthodontics

Home Care

One of the first steps in treating TMJ is with home care. Mild cases may only require home care to achieve a sense of relief. Home care includes eating a soft diet, icing the face, using relaxation techniques, taking over the counter pain relievers, and completing certain jaw exercises.

However, home care isn’t always the right solution for everyone. If your pain persists or gets worse after a week of home care, you likely need a more aggressive treatment plan. Without proper treatment, you can inflict more damage to your jaw joint and potentially your teeth. We highly encourage those who can’t find relief from home care or experience symptoms like lockjaw to visit us for assistance immediately.

TMJ Treatment in Lee’s Summit, MOPhysical Therapy and Chiropractic Care

Most TMJ cases involve strained muscles in the mouth. Although wearing an oral appliance can reduce muscle strain and tension, physical therapy can also help. A physical therapist will help your muscles relax by massaging the muscles in your neck, head, jaw, and shoulders. They will also show you exercises and techniques to reduce the tension and relax your jaw on your own.

If your jaw is imbalanced, working with a chiropractor can help you realign your vertebrae which may help your jaw become balanced again. Chiropractic care may provide you with long-term relief if your vertebrae are misaligned. However, it only provides you with temporary relief, you should visit us for a proper TMJ diagnosis.

Oral Appliance Therapy

One of the most common TMJ treatment techniques we use at our dental office is oral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy involves wearing a mouth guard-like appliance potentially during the day and at night while you sleep. The appliance holds your jaw in its most comfortable resting position to protect your teeth from damage and your jaw from experiencing tension or unnecessary pressure.

TMJ Medications

If you seek immediate pain relief, we usually recommend using over the counter pain relievers, muscle relaxers, or trigger point injections in combination with other TMJ treatments. The medication is to provide you with temporary relief only. Combining it with a long-term TMJ treatment can help you find immediate and long-term relief.

TMJ Treatment Technology

Ozone Therapy – It can be used as an alternative therapy to improve the body’s intake and use of oxygen to activate the immune system. The antibacterial compound can help to fight inflammation and infection. Ozone therapy can also aid in the regeneration of both the condyle (bone) and cartilage (discs) within the temporomandibular joint.

Head, Neck and Facial Pain Photobiostimulation Therapy – This type of non-touch therapy uses non-ionizing coherent light and energy to penetrate the tissue to reduce restricted facial tissues and muscles and increase blood flow to the area. It reduces pain as a result.

ALF Appliances – ALF appliances come in many different designs to serve different purposes. We use them to stabilize jaw joints, address occlusion, correct facial growth and development and ultimately minimize jaw joint dysfunction risks.

Rezzimax Therapy – Rezzimax therapy is a portable device you can bring with you anywhere to naturally ease headaches and migraines, TMJ pain and neck pain.

Cold Laser/Fotona – To reduce TMJ pain, Dr. Pribyl will use our Cold Laser and our Fotona laser to reduce inflammation and pain at the same time.

Reconstructive Dentistry and Orthodontics

If your bite is imbalanced either due to worn or damaged teeth or from malocclusion, reconstructive dentistry or orthodontics can help. On the bright side of this treatment option, you will not only resolve your TMJ pain but complete your treatment with a better-looking smile! Reconstructive dentistry may involve using dental crowns or porcelain veneers to rebuild the structure of your teeth. We also offer several different orthodontic options than can realign your bite to its correct resting position.

Tired of feeling in pain every day? Contact the Center for TMJ & Sleep Apnea for a consultation with Dr. Larry Pribyl and a personalized TMJ treatment plan with no surgery involved. Schedule an appointment today by calling (816) 795-1000.