TMJ Disorder Treatments

Lifestyle Measures

• Rest the jaw with a soft diet
• Restrict movement with smaller bites
• Apply warm packs for pain relief
• Cognitive behavior therapy may help some learn to avoid clenching and grinding their teeth

Medications

The most commonly used medicines include:

• Acetaminophen
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Muscle relaxants
• Low-dose antidepressants

Some medication may be injected into the jaw such as:

• Pain relieving medicine (eg, cortisone or lidocaine)
• Botulinum toxin (Botox)—may offer temporary relief if pain or clicking are major symptoms

Physical Therapy

To help reduce pain and allow muscles to relax:

• Gentle massage or stretching exercises
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Stress Reduction

• Some may benefit from counseling to learn stress management and relaxation techniques such as:
  • Biofeedback
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy

Dental Procedures

A splint or mouth guard can be made to relax your jaw muscles. This will prevent clenching and grinding of your teeth. The guard is usually worn at night. Correction of bite abnormalities by a dentist or orthodontist is sometimes needed.

Surgical Procedures

Surgical correction is a last resort. Many of the available procedures have not been well-studied for their effectiveness.