The TMJ is incredibly necessary when it comes to eating, chewing and simply opening and closing your mouth to speak. When the joint becomes inflamed or painful, you may find that it gets in the way of living your best life. Some problems to look for concerning the TMJ include:
In some cases, TMJ problems resolve on their own and are simply temporary. If the pain, discomfort and swelling persists, we'll often recommend physical therapy, muscle relaxants, pain relievers and hot/cold therapy as a way to help ease your suffering. In more extreme cases, surgery is required to help improve motion of the jaw and prevent swelling. The most common procedure performed is known as temporomandibular arthrocentesis, which simply means that the fluid is removed from the joint before the bone is realigned. Surgery-free options are always sought after first before considering more invasive procedures.
If you think you might benefit from TMJ treatments, call our office today and we can get you in for an appointment.