If you’ve developed persistent or severe throbbing in your jaw, you might be suffering from a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. When the sliding disc joints that connect your jawbone to your skull are overworked or misaligned, they can become painfully inflamed. Not only might you feel uncomfortable, but eventually, your jaw might become stiff or locked altogether.
Fortunately, your dentist offers several services that can address TMJ-related aches. If you’re wondering how long it usually takes for treatment to help, continue reading to learn what to expect from these 3 popular methods!
Option #1: Oral Appliances
Did you know that grinding your teeth can potentially cause TMJ aches? When you subconsciously clench arches together, you put lots of extra tension on your joints that can alter your bite alignment, forcing your jaw to overcompensate. Your dentist can provide some much-needed relief with a custom-fitted nightguard to shield your teeth from bruxism (chronic grinding). It cushions your upper and lower arches so that they aren’t forced together, giving your jaw enough of a break to begin to heal.
They can also fit you with an occlusal splint that stabilizes your bite to remove some of the extra pressure from your jaw joints. You will likely notice changes in your symptoms within a few weeks, though it can take up to several months for patients with more severe issues to feel better.
Option #2: Occlusal Adjustments
Another common treatment that reduces TMJ-related problems is equilibration, or occlusal adjustment. For this method, your dentist corrects dental alignment issues by removing a small amount of enamel from specific areas on certain teeth. This strategic thinning allows your upper and lower teeth to come together correctly in cases of minor misalignments.
Most folks notice significant improvements within six weeks of this alteration, though you might not experience full relief for three to six months.
Option #3: TENS Machine Treatment
Many dentists also offer TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine treatments that deliver low-voltage electrical pulses to the muscles in your jaw, usually for 30-minute sessions. This alleviates spasms to create relaxation, and “blocks” pain signals traveling to the brain with a competing electrical signal.
This often produces immediate relief, but the results tend to be temporary for new patients. Depending on your individual circumstances and the severity of your condition, multiple sessions over a longer period may be required for lasting symptom management.
If you’re unsure how long a proposed treatment will take to address your TMJ aches, the best way to find out is to consult your dentist!
About the Practice
At DentaCrafters PLLC, people of all ages benefit from two compassionate dentists who are eager to help them improve their lives by enhancing their dental condition. Dr. Duckett and Dr. Nada share 30+ years of experience and offer a full range of services at their family-friendly practice. They take the time to get to know your unique goals and concerns, then utilize state-of-the-art equipment to devise appropriate treatments tailored to your needs. If your jaw hurts or you need to address a TMJ disorder, you can request an appointment on the website or call (703) 241-5775.