If you suffer from TMD, you may be considering surgery to correct the problem. But treatments that don't involve surgery are usually much more effective and can often help without the risks of surgery. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the reasons why nonsurgical TMJ treatments are nearly always the best option for patients with TMD.

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Is the Hinge That Connects Your Lower Jaw to Your Skull

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a very important part of your face. It connects your lower jaw to your skull and gives you the range of motion you need to talk, chew, and yawn. As a result, TMJ disorders can cause a lot of pain and make it hard to do everyday things. It is important to know the signs that the joint may not be working right. Your doctor can evaluate the way your TMJ is functioning through various tests and treatments that can help reduce pain and restore healthy movement in your jaw. Don't suffer in silence; speak up if you feel like something isn't quite right with your TMJ.

TMJ Disorders Can Cause Pain and Clicking in the Jaw, as Well as Headaches and Neck Pain

TMJ disorders are hard to figure out because they can cause so many different symptoms. Most commonly, patients with TMJ will have pain in the jaw, both at rest and when moving the joint, as well as clicking or popping noises coming from the jaw. In some cases, this pain is accompanied by headaches and neck pain. With the right diagnosis and treatment from a TMJ expert, these symptoms can be taken care of so that the person can feel better and get back to a normal life without crippling pain.

Nonsurgical Treatments Like Oral Appliance Therapy Are Often Very Effective in Treating TMJ Disorders

As a health care worker, I highly recommend non-surgical treatments like oral appliance therapy for people with TMJ disorder symptoms. These treatments are incredibly effective in not only relieving pain and discomfort but also reducing jaw clenching and other related issues. As part of the treatment, the person with TMJ disorder wears a device that is closely tailored to their mouth and works with their body's natural neuromuscular control systems to relieve their symptoms. Furthermore, this type of treatment is simple, non-invasive, and generally well-tolerated by patients. Of course, as with any type of medical treatment, it is important to seek professional advice before engaging in any kind of therapy; however, I am confident that nonsurgical approaches such as oral appliance therapy can do an excellent job of treating TMJ disorders.

Surgery Should Only Be Considered If Nonsurgical Treatments Have Proven Ineffective

Surgery should be a last resort when all other noninvasive treatments have been exhausted. Even though this type of procedure can give the patient targeted, immediate relief, it is also the most serious. If structural problems, bad posture, and lack of flexibility can be fixed with physical therapy, massage therapy, and exercise routines instead of surgery, I strongly advise my patients not to have surgery. There are some situations where surgery is necessary and recommended to preempt complications that could arise in the future. In any case, my main goal is to get the best result possible with the least amount of work from the patient.

If You're Experiencing Pain or Clicking in Your Jaw, Make an Appointment with Us to Discuss Treatment Options

At Nonsurgical TMJ Austin with Dr. Smitherman, we understand the inconvenience and discomfort of jaw pain or clicking. We know it can often make even basic daily tasks difficult to complete. That's why making an appointment with us is essential in order to discuss treatment options so you can get relief from your symptoms. Our team has years of experience addressing jaw pain and using non-invasive procedures to treat it, so don't hesitate to take the first step towards feeling better by scheduling an appointment today!

If your jaw hurts or clicks, make an appointment with us so we can talk about treatment options. There are a variety of nonsurgical treatments that are often very effective in treating TMJ disorders, but surgery should only be considered if nonsurgical treatments don't work or if there is significant damage to the joint. Give us a call at (737) 239-0098 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Smitherman.