TMJ/TMD Treatments

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders is the term used for problems associated with the jaw joints and related areas. During your courses at Advanced Prosthetics Institute, Dr. Jason C. Campbell will provide instruction on how to manage and relieve jaw joint dysfunctions and restore normal jaw movement. Call 928-776-0239 today to begin registering for your course and for more information about TMJ treatment training.

Managing TMJ disorders requires great patience on your part. The goal of this type of treatment is to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by your patient’s biomechanical disorder, and to restore normal jaw movement if it has been hindered in some way. Many types of management are easy to explain, and your patients will be able to perform them at home, causing discomfort to dissipate without invasive treatments. These management techniques include:

  • Applying ice packs as needed
  • Eating soft foods that do not require effort to chew
  • Avoiding extreme jaw movements – such as wide yawning, gum chewing, or other movement that may cause strain to the jaw joint
  • Relaxing and stress reduction techniques
  • Gentle stretching and other jaw exercises to increase jaw movement
  • Using pain relief medication or non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs for short-term relief

In some cases, you may provide a bite guard, or stabilization splint for short-term use.

More invasive and non-reversible treatments include:

  • Occlusal Equilibrations – reshaping selected teeth and biting surfaces when the cause of your patient’s TMJ is not structural
  • Surgery – this option is only to be considered after all other treatment options have been attempted, as it may involve implants or work on the tissues
  • Implants – a surgical replacement of teeth to improve the function of the jaw

These invasive TMJ treatments are provided with the assistance of technology, most notably the T-Scan device for bite correction information. You may need to collaborate with dental specialists or other medical professionals to ensure that your patient receives the best treatment for his or her biofunctional disorder.

For more information on TMJ therapy and to sign up for your courses with our dentist, call our office today.