TMJ disorders often cause severe pain, and in many cases, the best way to deal with them is to seek treatment from a professional. Naturally, when you commit to TMJ therapy, you’ll want to know how long it will take before you can enjoy lasting relief. Your dentist will only be able to give you an estimate once they have a grasp on your unique situation, but in the meantime, here is what you can generally expect.
Different Treatments, Different Timelines
A TMJ disorder can be the result of physical trauma, stress, teeth grinding, arthritis, and other issues. As such, there are different kinds of treatment that might be recommended based on your needs, and each one has its own timeline:
- Oral Appliance Therapy: Oral appliances help correct the alignment of your jaw and/or protect the teeth from bruxism in order to address TMJ disorder symptoms. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete this particular type of treatment. The exact timeline depends on the patient and the severity of their disorder.
- Surgery: In situations where less invasive methods of TMJ treatment don’t deliver the desired results, surgery may be recommended. There are a few different surgical methods that might be used based on the situation. Once the procedure is complete, it will take time (often up to six months) for your jaw to completely recover.
Make sure that you’re aware of the timeline associated with your chosen TMJ treatment before you make any long-term commitments. Don’t forget that you can always speak to your dentist if you have any concerns.
What About Self-Care?
If you only have a mild case of TMJ disorder, then it may be possible to treat it simply by taking good care of your jaw. With the right steps, it’s sometimes possible to find relief in a matter of days! Some good self-care steps include:
- Taking pain medication such as ibuprofen.
- Switching to a soft food diet and keeping chewing to a minimum.
- Periodically applying a cold or hot pack to the affected joint(s) for 15 minutes at a time.
- Performing jaw stretches recommended by your dentist.
- Being mindful of times when your jaw becomes tense so that you can relax it.
Of course, sometimes you will need professional intervention to properly deal with your TMJ disorder. Reach out to a dentist who specializes in TMJ treatments to see what they suggest. There’s no need to force yourself to endure jaw pain every day when there are plenty of solutions worth pursuing.
About the Author
Dr. Pamela J. West has over 30 years of dental experience. At her current Las Vegas practice, iSleepSolutions, she specializes in treating sleep apnea and TMJ disorder. She can provide fully personalized oral appliances to put a stop to TMJ pain. To schedule a consultation with Dr. West, visit her website or call (702) 602-2000.