New Ways to Treat TMD

Often TMD is treated with orthotic applainces. When the diagnosis, related to the TMD is primarily muscle pain, the orthotic, sometimes called a mouth guard, often provides very little help in resolving a problem.

When muscle pain is the primary causitive factor, there are other alternatives available. Included are ultrasound treatments, tens, tigger point injections into the offending muscles, or botox type injections. Botox injections often rquire bilateral injections. Botox has the effect of paralysing muscle function. If only the offending muscles are injected, the opposite side muscles will be too active. A reduced dosage is therefore used on the opposite side.

It turns out that over 50% of TMD cases involve muscle pain. Seeing an oral surgeon, who regularly treats TMD with surgery, my result in unneeded surgery. That is why the diagnosis for the reason for the TMD pain is important.