Once you have been diagnosed with a TMJ Disorder, you must undergo the essential treatment required for the restoration of normal form and function of the jaw joint.
The management of TMJ Disorders is geared towards pain reduction and enhanced performance of the joint.
We, at Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Aesthetic and Implant Center, Ashok Vihar, Delhi, have the expertise in delivering effective jaw joint replacement therapies as well as successful management of TMJ Disorders conservatively, at the earliest.
Why Management of TMJ Disorders is Necessary?
TMJ disorders must be managed timely if a patient complains of any of the symptoms including:
- An Inability to Open Mouth Widely
- Chronic Pain in the Joint or in Front of the Ear
- Persistent Clicking in Front of the Ear
- Unexplained Pain in the Head or Neck
What are the Outcomes of Management of TMJ Disorders ?
Early redressal following a precise treatment plan CAN:
- Reduce Joint Pain
- Eliminate Joint Click
- Improve Joint Functioning
- Increase Mouth Opening
- Enhance Chewing And Biting Ability
- Prevent Further Deterioration Of Joint Tissues
- Facilitate Healing And Repair Of Joint Tissues
While the management of TMJ Disorders resolve most of your jaw joint problems, however, it CANNOT:
- Bring a Change in Your Facial Appearance
- Treat Headaches Which are not Related to the TMJ Dysfunctionalities
Nonetheless, the benefits of undergoing the treatment outweigh a couple of limitations.
How Do I Prepare Myself for the TMJ Surgery ?
- Switch to a soft, minimally-chewable diet before the treatment is initiated.
- Get yourself examined for any decayed or missing teeth, erupting wisdom teeth, teeth clenching or grinding habits.
- Consult your physician before booking an appointment with us, in order to review any underlying medical conditions or medications being taken by you.
- Avoid smoking, under any circumstances, for at least two weeks before your TMJ surgery.
How TMJ Disorders Are Managed?
The management of TMJ disorders is precisely tailored as per the severity of the disorder, varying from patient to patient, and this includes either a conservative approach or a surgical treatment.
1. Conservative Treatment
This is especially beneficial to manage mild to moderate TMD cases and has been successful for over 90% of the patients by any or all of the following treatment options:
The primary management involves treatment of any accompanying dental issues.
- An Endodontist will ensure appropriate management of decayed teeth with conservative and endodontic therapies.
- While prosthetic replacement of missing teeth will be taken care of by a Prosthodontist.
- It is the responsibility of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon to judiciously manage partially erupted wisdom teeth.
- Parafunctional habits such as teeth grinding or clenching can be managed well by relaxing the facial muscles with biofeedback therapy or with a day / night-time wear of a customized occlusal splint.
Cognitive behavioral therapy including lifestyle modification and relaxation techniques like slow, conscious breathing and meditation, are imperative to effectively cope up with stress leading to such parafunctional habits.
We insist, you seek consultation and counselling with Dr. Rajat Sachdeva, for instant elucidation and treatment of your problem. We intend to explain and reassure you in our fullest capacity.
Conjointly, pharmacotherapy can be prescribed, comprising of :
- Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for pain relief
- Opiates for reduction of moderate to severe pain
- Muscle relaxants to relieve the pain caused by muscle spasms
- Tranquilizers (such as benzodiazepines) to cope up with stress
- Tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline) in only small dosages to provide pain relief and manage teeth grinding
We request you to not self-medicate and consult us at Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Aesthetic and Implant Center, Ashok Vihar, Delhi.
Joint physiotherapy comprises of:
- Stretching exercises that strengthen the jaw muscles and relieve musculoskeletal pain.
- Additionally, physiotherapy might include modalities such as ice, heat, ultrasound, iontophoresis, etc.
- Adjunctive physiotherapy techniques like dry needling, pulsed ultrasound therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) have proven to be very effective.
Diet modifications include:
- Refraining from chewing on any hard, sticky, raw foodstuff that may exert your chewing muscles and cause stress to the TMJ.
- Rather, switch to tender, fork-soft diet, boiled and finely chopped fruits and vegetables.
- Steer clear of chewing gums
Insertion of small-sized needles into the joint cavity for irrigation or joint lavage in order to cleanse away any inflammatory debris can be employed. This minimally-invasive technique is called Arthrocentesis which is accompanied with TMJ Arthroscopy which aids in visualization of the joint with a camera.
Infrequently, injecting corticosteroid or Botulinum toxin type A into the muscles may help to relieve muscle pain.
2. Surgical Treatment
This is considered in cases of severe TMJ disorders with severely damaged tissues that are unresponsive to conservative measures.
- We can either reposition the displaced TMJ soft tissue (articular disc) by positioning and stitching it back to the normal place between the joint surfaces, or can repair any distortions in the disc by surgical stitching.
- On the other hand, an open-joint surgery, known as Arthrotomy, can be taken up under general anesthesia, which involves the complete replacement of the entire jaw joint with an artificial metallic substitute, simulating the joint architecture and function, such as a custom-fabricated prosthetic titanium implant, that is attached to the bones with the help of titanium screws.
- Modified condylotomy is an extra-articular surgery which means it involves surgery on the mobile component of the lower jaw in the joint and not on the joint itself. This surgery can help reduce pain in cases of lock-joint.
We, at Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Aesthetic and Implant Center, Ashok Vihar, Delhi, employ piezosurgery which is a completely atraumatic technique for cutting the bone without damaging any neighboring vital structures, giving you a painless and comfortable surgical experience.
Furthermore, the titanium prosthesis for joint replacement used at our center, is best qualityassured and diligently fabricated following an extensive and careful planning by the expert, Dr. Rajat Sachdeva, with the help of a surgical simulation software, customized and 3-Dimensionally printed for each and every patient, and utilized during the surgery only after undergoing strict serial testing procedures and meticulous sterilization, so as to prevent even the slightest risk of infection.
How Does the Recovery Occur After Surgical Management of TMJ Disorders ?
- Usually following the surgery, there may be mild swelling at the surgical site, which may persist for as long as a week to ten days.
- Refrain from lifting weights, or doing heavy exercises, or consuming hard food items for few weeks after the surgery.
- You may be required to undergo physiotherapy after the surgery in order to procure best results in shorter course of time.
- Jaw closure with wires, known as, Intermaxillary Fixation (IMF) may be required for 7 to 10 days after the surgery.
- Joint functioning improves gradually with time, so you should not be impatient. This might take up to several weeks after the surgery
What Are the Risks Involved in Surgical Management of TMJ Disorders ?
Not to scare you but some of the risks involved in an inappropriately managed TMJ disorder include:
- Facial Muscle Weakness
- Wound Infection
- Mal-alignment of Teeth
Hence, we suggest that you consult an expert who will ensure an optimum treatment with no chance of any risks or complications. You should consider visiting Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Aesthetic and Implant Center, Ashok Vihar, Delhi.
