Temporomandibular joint disorder
temporomandibular
[tem″po-ro-man″dib´u-lar]Treatment may include medical therapy, dental therapy, or a combination of these. Dental treatment usually involves insertion of a biteplate to prevent the teeth from meeting and grinding against one another. The biteplate relieves pain and promotes muscle relaxation and normal positioning of the mandible, which allows the inflamed joint to rest and heal. Once the inflammation has subsided and normal neuromuscular function returns, the dentist may attempt to correct malocclusion. Medical therapy may include local heat applications to improve circulation and promote relaxation, corticosteroid injections into the joint, jaw exercises, and analgesics, muscle relaxants, and antiinflammatory agents.