The temporomandibular joint also known as TMJ is a disorder that affects how a person eats, speaks, smiles, and sleeps. These are mostly difficult to diagnose and manage. The treatment around this problem is generally palliative.
As it is one of the most difficult-to-detect conditions, the good news is that the field of TMJ treatment has seen significant advancements in recent years. The TMJ treatment centers are working hard to develop groundbreaking medicines and treatment techniques.
The new treatment has moreover developed a new approach to treating every patient based on their conditions.
In this blog, we will read about all the groundbreaking innovations in the field of TMJ disorders. So let’s go ahead and discuss these advancements and how it will help the patients.
What are the Innovations in TMJ Treatment?
Here is the list of advancements you can witness in TMJ disorder therapies:
New Tools for Imaging and Diagnosis
The process of visualizing the various human tissues and organs in order to track both normal and abnormal body physiology and anatomy is known as medical imaging.
A variety of medical imaging methods, including computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), digital mammography, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and X-rays, are employed for this purpose.
TMJ specialists can detect any structural irregularities or dysfunctions in the jaw joint. The new 3D imaging and computer-assisted technology enable them to accomplish this. We have seen a rise in early detection percentage, which automatically improves patient’s chances of getting a cure.
D Printing Technology
The use of medical 3D printing is expanding in both clinical and research-oriented healthcare initiatives. It entails using 3D printing, commonly referred to as additive manufacturing, to create tangible replicas of anatomical structures.
The new 3-D reports show a clear picture of the condition to the doctor. As a result, doctors can easily create custom treatment routines for each patient depending on their state.
TMJ professionals now have access to the convenience of decision support that was not previously possible thanks to the ability to visualize and explore complex anatomy as a real three-dimensional object.
Custom Mouth Guards
TMJ patients are usually given custom-fit mouth guards to manage the pain. These devices cover the teeth and shield them from the harm caused by clenching and grinding.
A doctor can advise for how long one has to wear, they can be easily removed and inserted back. They relieve pain and discomfort by serving as a cushion between the lower and upper teeth, thereby lessening the strain and stress on the TMJ.
These are durable and efficient but are quite costlier than other options available.
Sleep Clench Inhibitor
One novel oral appliance created especially to treat TMJ disorders caused by teeth clenching while you sleep is the SCI sleep clench inhibitor. The device is the tiny, pliable pad that slides between the front teeth, upper and lower.
The SCI sleep clench inhibitor, in contrast to conventional mouth guards and splints, concentrates on the front teeth, preventing the back teeth from coming into contact while you sleep.
This works wonders for patients who have not found pain relief with any other dental treatment procedure for TMJ.
Alternative Therapies
You can find more and more alternative treatment nowadays that helps in pain relief of TMJ. Patients can try different massages, acupuncture or any other reliable treatment option. Just make sure to consult with your doctor regarding the secondary treatment to avoid any major issues.
Nervous System Regulation Techniques
The nervous system plays a big role in our body, and it is important to regulate it correctly for well-being. TMJ pain and disorders can be impacted by a dysregulated nervous system in a number of ways.
The core cause of TMJ pain can be found with long-term relief by addressing nervous system dysregulation with methods and therapies that target the nervous system of the patient’s body.
Minimal Invasive Procedures
The minimally invasive procedure incorporates needles and medicines that can be used for pain relief and restoration. A good example can be microneedling which creates punctures in the skin to give birth to new and uniform layers of skin cells. Patients suffering from TMJ disorders caused by tense muscles may find relief from this.
Additionally, this may involve influencing the jaw joint with specific tools. As an alternative to open-joint surgery, it is being performed.
So these are a few of the best advancements that you can witness in the field of TMJ treatment. Moving ahead, let’s see the cost of the medical treatment in the next section.
How Much Does Treating TMJ Disorders Costs?
It is actually hard to give exact numbers as the treatment, medicines, and course will vary for every patient. However, over-the-counter alternatives may be less expensive than custom-fit devices, and medical procedures like physical therapy or surgery which are highly expensive.
It is quite beneficial to have access to medical funds and insurance in these tough times. You can consult a renowned specialist at treatment centers such as tmj treatment in san antonio tx and get solutions for the problem.
