Many individuals instinctively turn to pain relief when faced with jaw ache. Pain relief medications are not only quick and accessible, but they also provide a temporary means of relief. However, when it comes to TMJ disorder, pain relief medications are only a temporary means of relieving pain. They mask the source of the pain rather than correcting the issue.
If you are utilizing medication to provide relief from discomfort in your jaw, you must also investigate why the discomfort recurs, in addition to understanding what will determine and correct the source of the discomfort.
Pain relief medications including both over-the-counter and prescription medications are intended solely to alleviate pain and inflammation. While pain relief medications can help manage symptoms temporarily, they are especially useful during flare-ups. Pain relief medications, however, do not address TMJ disorder as being solely an inflammation-related disorder. TMJ disorder primarily is a mechanical issue of the jaw joint, the disc that resides in the joint, and the mechanics of jaw articulation.
Pain relief medications do not:
Thus, the temporary relief they provide will not solve an underlying problem and, therefore, persist in causing pain even after temporary relief has been experienced.
Dysfunction in the joint is where TMJ Pain starts, as shown below:
All of the above are causing stress to the joint and surrounding muscle due to poor jaw positioning. Stress to the joint will, therefore, continue to create inflammation, limit the ability to move, and cause discomfort. Until these mechanical problems are solved, the pain will persist regardless of any painkilling medication taken.
you are neglecting the actual problem. Despite pain relief from painkillers, you’re actually delaying the correct level of treatment. Often, because of pain relief, many believe that they’re lessening their problem, when in fact their problem is getting worse.
Long-term problems associated with untreated TMJj disorders include the following:
By the time symptoms become problematic, the correct treatment becomes much more complicated.
A detailed and thorough evaluation of the joint is essential to correctly identify the causes of the tmj problem. this should include the following:
Without this level of insight, you are essentially only guessing at your treatment.
Manage the mechanical stress caused by clenching, grinding, and an improper bite (occlusion). By managing these issues, you reduce the irritation & tension on the joint & make the joint function more normally moving forward.
The goal is to restore jaw function rather than just provide pain relief, this is how you prevent symptoms from returning.
In cases where the structure of the jaw is altered by trauma, such as displacing the disc or having some kind of interior damage to the joint itself, more advanced measures will need to be used.
TMJ arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that provides direct access to the TMJ via an exceptionally small incision. This procedure is useful for treating internal conditions of the joint that can’t be treated with traditional external methods.
TMJ disorders require a specialized understanding of how the jaw moves. Oftentimes, treatments that only address the symptoms do not address the complexities of the joint.
With over 30 years of oral and maxillofacial surgical experience, Dr. Luis Gavin utilizes a targeted, individualized approach to TMJ care. His objective is to determine the specific mechanical cause of your problem and treat it at its source.
His approach thus prevents patients from being reliant on temporary solutions, providing a long-term resolution to their problems.
If you experience persistent jaw discomfort and treat it with pain medications, this is a signal that your problem should be checked further.
You should consult your professional when the following occurs:
The signs of malfunctioning joints do not merely mean that medication will help them.
Pain relief with medication may help manage symptoms acutely; however, medication does not solve the underlying cause of a TMJ disorder.
TMJ problems occur because the jaw doesn’t work as it’s supposed to, not simply because of how the jaw feels.
To truly have sustained relief from TMJ syndrome (i.e., not just a few hours or days), you must identify the mechanical issues with your jaw.
When you experience jaw discomfort next time, ask yourself: ‘Am I treating my symptom or resolving my issue?’
When treating TMJ, the answer to this question can be significant.