TMJ Disorders

Treatment

Noninvasive, conservative treatments are usually best for temporomandibular disorders. Orthodontics or surgery should be a last resort. Primary treatments are:

• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Oral splints (mouth guards, bite guards)
• Irrigation of the jaw joint (arthrocentesis)

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Surgery

Surgery is reserved for those situations where other treatments haven't been successful and you are experiencing significant problems with pain and quality of life. Mayo oral surgeons are experienced at the following procedures:

• Disc repositioning. Repositioning is used when the protective cartilage disc has slipped out of place inside the TMJ.
• Discectomy. The disc providing padding and protection to the TMJ may be removed if it is damaged or constantly out of position.
• Articular eminence recontouring. The surgeon smoothes the articular eminence (the "socket" part of the TMJ).
• Partial joint replacement. Surgeons replace one of the components (disc, ball or socket) of the temporomandibular joint. In a Mayo follow-up study, 42 people who received a partial joint replacement reported significant improvement in pain and nearly 80 percent said they were highly satisfied with the results. Revision surgery was needed in about 15 percent of joints.
• Total joint replacement. The original ball and joint are replaced with metal parts.

Read more about TMJ disorders treatment.