TMJ Relief Treatment

Tooth pain can be caused by a dental problem, such as a cavity or gum disease, or by a non-dental problem like a sinus infection. Some dental pain is caused by stress – if you’re stressed to the point of clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth, you can develop pain associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Your temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull – it is this joint that enables the movement of your jaw up and down and left and right, to allow for chewing, yawning and talking. Any problems that occur with this particular part of the skull are given the name temporomandibular disorders (TMD). These are also sometimes called TMJ dysfunction.

Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth puts an additional strain on the muscles of the jaw and can contribute to pain in the jaw.  TMJ problems can affect a person’s ability to speak, eat, and chew.

Pain in this part of your jaw is particularly common. Around 30 percent of adults will experience it at some point in their lifetimes, and usually it will go away of its own accord.

• Muscle pain in and around your jaw
• A clicking or popping sound as you chew or move the jaw
• Pain in front of your ear that may move to your cheek and temple
• Headaches and migraines
• Earache, a buzzing sound or a blocked feeling
• Tight or locked jaw

Hypertrophy (overdevelopment) of the jaw muscles, and excessive clenching can be reduced by the use of botulinum toxin injections.

This is usually recommended in conjunction with a night splint to reduce clenching.

Night splints can be used as a stand a lone option.

Acupuncture is also a treatment option for reducing jaw pain and this will be available soon at Widcombe Dental.

Treatment costs for TMJ injection with a night splint is £1,045, and repeat injections are £595.

Night splints are £360 for a ‘B’ splint

Should you be experiencing TMJ pain, there are several adaptations you can consider to make your life more comfortable until the pain subsides.

Try these five steps to a more relaxed jaw:

• Take a flannel and run it under a hot tap. Press the hot flannel to your jaw and hold it there. Follow this with a simple massage of the face and jaw.  Take care not to burn yourself.
• Eat soft foods that are easy on this ‘chewing muscle’ and put a stop to chewing gum for the time being.
• Try not to clench or bite down too hard, and similarly avoid stretching the jaw too wide.
• Practice some relaxation techniques, which may help relieve tension held in your jaw.
• Simple jaw exercises can help strengthen the muscle and loosen stiff jaws. Your dentist at Widcombe Dental can advise on suitable home exercises.

If you have very severe and persistent issues with TMD, you may be referred to an oral or maxillofacial surgeon to discuss wider treatment options.