TMD/TMJ Treatment

Serving Northern Virginia including Oakton, Fairfax, Reston, Alexandria, Arlington and Washington D.C.

If Neuromuscular Dentist Dr. Chung determines that you have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), he will already be part way into your treatment.

The first step of treatment is measuring and recording your relaxed jaw position. In a person who has had TMD for some years, the lower jaw has probably not relaxed for a long time. But a permanently relaxed lower jaw is the goal of TMD treatment.

Once Dr. Chung knows exactly where your relaxed jaw position is, he can determine what steps will be helpful in making that position permanent. Most TMD treatments have several components, and each treatment is customized for that person.

Possible components of your TMD treatment

Dental work – a misaligned jaw usually goes along with misaligned teeth. Dr. Chung will work on your bite, and probably reshape or reposition some teeth, replace any missing teeth, and maybe use some porcelain crowns. The goal is to have your upper and lower teeth meet correctly, without bumping or wearing on each other.
An orthotic – the jaw muscles may need some retraining, to correct their habitual movements. Dr. Chung would devise a customized appliance for you to wear temporarily.
Physical therapy – sometimes this is helpful to relax the whole jaw area – face, neck, and shoulders – and to help you relearn how to use the muscles related to the jaw.

Pain medication would be prescribed until your pain level had dropped. TMD headaches are severe and if you’ve been suffering from those for some time, it might take a while for them to fade completely.

There could be other elements in your treatment plan, depending on what the cause of your TMD was. To learn more about TMD, its symptoms, TMD diagnosis, and treatment, please contact our neuromuscular dentistry to arrange for a TMD treatment consultation. There is no need for you to suffer these painful symptoms because they can be treated effectively. The first step is the consultation and then Dr. Chung can start assessing your situation and begin the diagnostic process.