Can TMJ Be Treated Without Surgery?

The query, “Can TMJ be repaired without surgery?” is frequently posed. TMJ can be treated without surgery. A non-surgical TMJ treatment plan is more circumspect and concentrated on the unique needs of each patient.

They entail more broad operations that don’t need the same amount of recuperation time as TMJ surgery. Many people don’t know where to turn for assistance when they experience TMJ symptoms or jaw pain. 

For non-surgical TMJ treatments, jaw pain sufferers can now consult an orofacial pain expert. In this post, several frequently asked issues are addressed, giving you optimism that you won’t need surgery. Even while early involvement of physical therapists and pain experts may improve the treatment of this pain issue, surgery may occasionally be required.

Definition of Non-surgical TMJ Treatment

Your pain expert or dentist may suggest jaw-specific physical therapy, orthodontic treatment, such as a jaw splint, braces, or a TMJ retainer if your jaw condition is caused by a misalignment. These jaw procedures can realign your teeth for a more relaxed bite, which will help with your problems.

Usually, the first step in your TMJ therapy will be some specialized self-care exercises or the use of an orthotic to assist correct your bite. Orthotics are said to provide pain alleviation for many people.

TMJ Splint Therapy

Removable prosthetic occlusal surfaces known as occlusal jaw splints may help the connection between the mandible and the maxilla. They could be helpful for treating or diagnosing TMJ. 

Typically, acrylic resin—either hard or soft—is used to make these jaw prosthetics. We could suggest an occlusal appliance after diagnosis to help with muscle relaxation or to lessen muscular activity. Pain levels may decrease by keeping an eye on the use of a splint to ease the elevator muscles, offer stability, and/or shift occlusal forces. By using a stabilizing splint, bruxism can be prevented.

Additionally, it is helpful to look at the contact between the teeth for the muscles and potential TMJ triggers rather than attempting surgery early on.

Focusing on minimizing jaw-related aberrant muscle activation is frequently useful. Neuromuscular equilibrium is frequently achieved with non-surgical TMJ therapies. It’s wise to consult with your pain treatment team before assuming that you need to wear the splint at night like the majority of pain patients do. Surgery can be required for more severe temporomandibular joint issues.

Treat Underlying Causes: Non-surgical TMJ Treatment

The therapy of jaw discomfort does not include a single stand-alone procedure.

Non-surgical TMJ therapy aims to address underlying causes to provide long-lasting relief from abnormalities of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). They can cause serious problems that have a wide range of effects if left addressed. Surgery may only alleviate the adverse effects in patients who want to have it done to treat their jaw pain symptoms, and the rehabilitation process takes a long time.

Non-surgical TMJ Treatment Vs TMJ Surgeries

Non-surgical treatment is more effective for TMD sufferers. These methods frequently result in good developments over time. Jaw misalignment can cause pain and discomfort, which puts more strain on the joint. An oral device can frequently change jaw position, reducing stress on the jaw joint. Tooth clenching and grinding can be prevented without surgery. This in turn might get rid of the reason for TMJ issues.