Since
there are so many issues that are linked with the
temporomandibular joint dysfunction, no solo cure can
seemingly solve TMJ troubles. If for instance, there is
inflammation and pain in the jaw joint, Arthrocentesis
may solve the problem. Being least invasive and almost
risk-free, it entails injecting a viscous solution mixed
with local anesthesia direct to the TMJ (under general
anesthesia) which results in ‘flushing out’ of
inflammatory fluids from the joint. If there is undue
swelling, steroids are used to resolve the
issue.
If, on the
other hand, there is displacement of the disk, surgery
(Arthroplasty) is required for disk repositioning. The
risk factor involved in Arthroplasty is proportional to
the complexity that ranges from minimally invasive to
multipart surgical procedures. It requires overnight
stay and a moderately lengthy surgical session (around
two hours) in which the attending surgeon opens the
joint, sets the displaced disk back to its former
position and stitches it appropriately to prevent
further displacement. However, in many cases patients
complain of post-operative pains. Needless to say, joint
replacement is more complex – risk factor being fairly
high with the possibility of injury caused to facial
motor nerves having serious consequences. Nevertheless,
Arthroplasty, as the surgery is medically termed, can
cure major TMJ related problems.
If you are
suffering from TMJ pain and want to opt for surgery, you
must always remember to do so only after consulting a
physician.
TMJ
Treatment – Some Other Options
Neuromuscular
treatment for the TMJ syndrome is believed to be more
effective as against general surgery. It is done in
three stages - relieving the muscle spasm/pain;
stabilization of the bite & long-term management of
the problem.
The
preliminary phase of the treatment for relieving the
pain and spasm is performed through a process called
TENS, in which the patient is exposed to Ultra
Low-Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural
Stimulation that relaxes the pained muscles through
electronic massaging in the form of a gentle
pain-relieving mode. The process is believed to lessen
the pain and spasm by way of helping the body release
endorphin, a natural polypeptide produced within the
body.
For
stabilizing the bite, a device known as Orthotic is
fixed on to the patient’s teeth at night to train an
effective bite in which the temporomandibular joint and
other related muscles all coordinate to bring the
desired result.
TMJ Cure
Options
Some
people try natural exercises for TMJ to get rid of the
pain and the other discomforts. For the convenience of
the reader, these exercises are listed
here.
- Let the
tongue touch the roof of the mouth and you should open
your mouth as wide as possible while breathing in
slowly for ten seconds. Hold your breath and then
breathe out slowly. Bring the tongue back to normal
position, wait for a while and then repeat the
performance ten times.
- Making a
tight fist, place it under the chin. Start pressing
the fist against the chin while simultaneously
attempting to open the jaw. Although it may seem
difficult at the beginning, the isometric energy so
produced in the attempt will help relax the mandible
to a great extent.
- Make
another tight fist with your left hand to press it
against the left jaw joint (right below it). Maintain
the pressure while you move the joint, keeping the
mouth closed. Repeat the procedure for the right joint
in the same way. The isometric energy in this case
will help relax the jaw muscles which in turn will
alleviate the TMJ pain.
- Using
the forefinger of both hands, press against both sides
of the jaw joint and then start opening the jaw bit by
bit till the jaw clicks. Release the pressure and
start all over again. Remember to release pressure as
soon as you hear the click. The pressure should be
uniform at either side for opening and closing the jaw
in right alignment. In fact, it is a natural way to
guide the jaw back to normal
alignment.
- Even
though this final form of exercise is not recommended
for chronic TMJ patients, one may attempt to practice
this to resolve persistent jaw pain and related
issues. However, it may look simple in action yet, may
prove hazardous in performance. Anyway, there is no
harm in attempting it which consists of holding the
chin between the thumb and the forefinger and then
trying to push the chin in and out in slow but
deliberate movement. This will ease the
temporomandibular joint’s secondary but significant
action in securing the appropriate bit. A note of
caution: Abort at once if sudden shooting pain
generates while attempting to do this
exercise.
TMJ
Treatment And Holistic
Remedies
Apart from
the methods, procedures and exercises described above
for effecting TMJ cure, holistic approach towards
solving the TMJ disorder troubles together with change
of diet and lifestyle are considered to be the best way
of getting rid of this distressing disease. Holistic
remedies reach within the body and identify all the
contributing factors that are causing the problem and
then eradicate them, rather than just treat the
symptoms, which is what most other cures do. When just
the symptoms are treated without addressing the real
causes, these symptoms of TMJ disorders are sure to come
back. But that is not the case with the holistic
approach, and so the cure is
permanent.
