Posted: August 30, 2013
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a painful condition that occurs when your jaw joint becomes misaligned. Dr. Frank DePaola has extensive training in neuromuscular dentistry, the field which focuses on correcting alignment issues with your bite. He can work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that will alleviate the painful TMJ symptoms you are experiencing and restore your bite to its proper alignment.
Dr. Frank always recommends the most conservative TMJ treatment plan that will deliver the results you desire. This helps keep your costs down and preserves as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
Your TMJ treatment will involve two phases. During the first phase, Dr. Frank will seek to alleviate the painful symptoms associated with TMJ. This can be accomplished using:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- Muscle relaxants
- Tricyclic antidepressants
Once your pain has been addressed, the second phase of your treatment will work to achieve long term relief by correcting the alignment issues causing your TMJ. Depending on the nature of your condition, Dr. Frank may recommend one of the following treatment plans:
- ComfortGuard worn at night
- Removable neuromuscular orthotic worn 24 hours a day
- Fixed orthotic device
- Dental restorations
During your initial TMJ evaluation, Dr. Frank will evaluate your bite in order to recommend the ideal course of action to correct your condition.
If you are suffering from TMJ, please contact The Practice at Maxwell Place today to schedule your initial evaluation. Dr. Frank DePaola serves patients in Hoboken, Jersey City, and Hudson County, New Jersey.
