Treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction, also known as ATM pain, is based on its cause and includes the use of bite plates to relieve joint pressure, facial muscle relaxation techniques, physiotherapy or, in some more severe cases, surgery.
It is also very important to observe and avoid habits that can trigger pain, such as the habit of biting your nails, biting your lips or intentionally gritting your teeth, holding your chin in your hand or chewing gum or hard objects, for example.
- Temporomandibular dysfunction is a disorder of the joint and muscles responsible for the movement of the mouth and jaw.
- Which causes fatigue of the respiratory muscles and symptoms such as jaw pain.
- Frequent headaches and a burst or dislocation of the jaw when opening the mouth.
- Learn more about symptoms and how to identify temporomandibular disorder.
The main forms of treatment include
Also known as stabilization plaque or occlusion plaque, these plaques should be guided by the dentist and are often used in the treatment of ATM, as they act by relaxing the muscles, stabilizing the joint and protecting the teeth.
Generally, these plaques are made of custom acrylic and are particularly suitable for people with bruxism, which is the unconscious habit of clenching or grinding teeth, especially during sleep, causing tooth wear and triggering ATM PAIN. . Learn more about what bruxism is and how to treat it.
Physical therapy exercises are very important to reduce inflammation and increase the strength and stability of the joints, allowing for better functioning of the area. The physical therapist will tell you the best techniques on a case-by-case basis, and involves performing exercises, osteopathy sessions, electrical stimulation, applying ultrasound or infrared vibrations or cold or heat therapies, for example.
When the cervical spine is involved, some sessions of osteopathy may be helpful in repositioning and deflating the joints of the cervix and jaw.
Remedies can be indicated by your doctor or dentist, and are usually analgesic and anti-inflammatory, such as dipirone or ibuprofen, to relieve painful seizures. During these periods, the use of a muscle relaxant, such as cyclobenzaprine, may also be recommended to reduce muscle tension.
Stress and anxiety are causes of worsening bruxism and tension in the jaw muscles, so it is important to be monitored to enable effective treatment of ATM pain. For example, it is recommended that you seek the help of a psychotherapist or psychologist to help you in this case.
Other ways to allow relaxation include investing in activities such as meditation, acupuncture, listening to music, reading, or other activities that may bring a sense of well-being. Check out our stress tips.
Laser therapy is a new treatment technique used for temporomandibular disorders, as it has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, healing and stimulating effects on the blood circulation of the affected muscles, being very useful for alleviating the symptoms of ATM.
Surgery to treat temporomandibular disorders is reserved for specific or severe cases, such as pain caused by a fracture or the existence of a major facial deformity.
In addition, it may also be indicated when symptoms are severe and there has been no improvement with clinical treatment, which only occurs in rare cases.