If over-the-counter pain medications aren't enough to relieve TMJ pain, your doctor or dentist may prescribe stronger pain relievers for a limited time, such as prescription strength ibuprofen.
Examples of the types of medications general dentists may offer include muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics. For patients who are experiencing extreme TMJ pain, temporary prescription pain relievers may be an option.
The truth is: it's both. TMJ is a complex problem that can have a lot of different root causes and can be part of the medical realm or the dental realm. The ideal situation is when both doctors are working in tandem, giving you the best holistic care possible that makes use of both their specialities.
If you think you might have TMJ dysfunction and it is bothering you, see your doctor or dentist. They will do a physical examination. You might be asked to have an x-ray, CT or MRI scan.
If you suspect you may be suffering from TMJ, a proper diagnosis is the first step on the road to recovery. Digital X-rays and 3-D CBCT Scans, are some of the most precise and accurate diagnostic tools for TMJ. Once a TMJ diagnosis is confirmed, your dentist can work with you to develop a course of treatment.
Medicare Part B covers TMJ treatment (even TMJ surgery) as long as it is performed by a qualified physician. If, however, your TMJ treatment falls into the category of pure dentistry, and not general healthcare, Medicare may not cover it.
A variety of modalities can be used to image the TMJ. This includes non-invasive imaging modalities such as conventional radiographs, ultrasound, Computed tomography (CT) and MRI to more invasive imaging such as arthrography.
Constant or intermittent pain in the jaw joint (TMJ), ranging from mild to severe. General jaw pain, which may or may not be accompanied by TMJ pain. Frequent headaches —a constant ache, throbbing, or piercing like a migraine. Clicking or popping of your jaw when you eat, talk, chew, or open your mouth.
What is the best medicine for TMJ pain? The best medicines for TMJ pain are over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories, such as Tylenol and ibuprofen.
While there are several reasons a patient can experience sudden or severe jaw pain, inflammation and overworked muscles tend to be the most common causes of TMJ flare-ups. Many physical changes and lifestyle habits can contribute to swelling around the joint and muscle tension.
If you are experiencing a lot of pressure in your ears from TMJ pain, something that may help you is sucking on different foods. This can help you relieve pressure and can ease your ear pain. Using a straw with your drinks can help. Otherwise, you can suck on hard candy, cough drops, or anything else you have on hand!
Pain resulting from TMJ can be eased from an occlusal adjustment. New technology allows dentists to accurately identify the areas, which need adjustments. The dentist utilizes a computer scan of the mouth, which records hundreds of bite registrations per minute, and notes even the slightest irregularity.
Symptoms typically present as swelling, erythema, pain, tenderness, and limited range of motion of the TMJ. Many patients may misidentify it as ipsilateral earache or temporal headache due to anatomical proximity. Pain may be worse at night if bruxism is present, and may wake the patient from sleep.
There are many potential muscle relaxants that can be used for TMJ. Two of the most common are cyclobenzaprine (Amrix and Fexmid) and diazepam (Valium).
One of the reasons that TMJ/TMD is so hard to treat is that it can be caused by many different injuries, lifestyle choices, and conditions. Unless you narrow down the cause of your TMJ/TMD, you may not get the right treatment.
But if you've already undergone a treatment regimen for TMJ and the pain comes back or gets worse, it's vital that you call your doctor right away. If left untreated, TMJ can lead to more complications that have long-lasting effects on your health.
Red flag symptoms and signs
Persistent and worsening pain. Jaw pain in people taking bisphosphonates (or other medicines where osteonecrosis is known to be an adverse effect). Concurrent infection. History of recent head or neck trauma.
Recovery Time
The good news is that most TMJ symptoms will clear up in no more than three weeks typically.
Sufferers can also find common issues related to chewing and biting, making eating anything but soft foods painful. They may even experience swelling in the jaw or face. TMJ can flare up at any time, and the condition can commonly last between two days and a few weeks.
The Test. While opening your jaw slightly, place a finger over the joint in front of your ear, and then open wide until you can feel the joint move. If you feel the joint click or if it's tender when you gently press, you may have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
See your provider right away if you are having trouble eating or opening your mouth. Keep in mind that many conditions can cause TMJ symptoms, from arthritis to whiplash injuries. Experts who are specially trained in facial pain can help diagnose and treat TMJ.
Your TMJ is held in place by a network of muscles, ligaments, and a cartilage disk. TMJ pain can be on one side or both sides.