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TMJ Treatment in Hillsboro
We rarely even think about the TMJ until it starts causing pain. If you live in Hillsboro and you suffer from TMJ/TMD, Dr. Laidlaw and the team at Laidlaw Orthodontics are here for you.
Types of TMD
TMJ is the abbreviation referring to your temporomandibular joint. This small, sliding hinge-like joint is located on either side of your jaw and it gets a great deal of use—whenever we speak, bite, chew, yawn, or even just open our mouths slightly, the TMJ is hard at work.
Chronic TMJ pain is called temporomandibular disorder or TMD.
There are three types of TMD:
- Arthritis, a degenerative inflammatory disorder.
- Internal derangement of the joint, a term we use to describe a displaced disc or dislocated jaw
- Myofascial pain, which refers to the pain in the muscles that operate the TMJ
Injections to Treat TMD
The first step to treating TMD is to let Dr. Laidlaw diagnose the underlying cause of your TMJ pain. A mild case of TMD can be treated with home care, including ice packs and soft food diets during a flare-up of symptoms.
For more severe TMD, Dr. Laidlaw may recommend relief through anti-inflammatory medication, stabilization splints, or injections.
If your overactive jaw muscles cause your TMJ pain, therapeutic injections can be particularly helpful. This paralyzes the muscles, causing the inflammation surrounding the joint to subsides, relieving tension in the jaw.
Cosmetic injections for TMJ at Laidlaw Orthodontics can even improve your facial appearance, relaxing overworked muscles for a softer, less square jaw.