TMJ Treatments
Our TMJ specialist in NYC, Dr. John Koutsoyiannis is an expert in treating pain and discomfort of the TMJ. Your temporomandibular joints connect your jawbone to your skull. If you press your hands in front of each ear and open and close your mouth, you can feel the joints flexing. Most of the time, your temporomandibular joints function normally, and you don’t even think about them. Every moment you chew food, talk or swallow, though, the joints are working. Between these bones, a cartilage disc acts as a cushion so that the joint can open and close smoothly. Pain, discomfort, or other issues with these joints are referred to as a TMJ disorder. Dr. John can accurately diagnose your TMJ symptoms and create a TMJ treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
WHAT IS A TMJ DISORDER?
A TMJ disorder is when there is a complication in the joints, causing pain or difficulty opening or closing the mouth. Some of the most common symptoms of a TMJ disorder include sustained or intense pain when chewing, talking, or swallowing. Earaches, headaches, pain in the jaw muscles, lockjaw, or a clicking, popping, or grating sensation when opening or closing the mouth are also possible with a TMJ disorder. A TMJ disorder can form from inflammatory arthritis, excessive chewing, teeth grinding, or a recent trauma or accident. There are a variety of TMJ disorder treatments, which can be divided into non-surgical TMJ treatments and TMJ surgery.
WHO IS AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR A TMJ TREATMENT?
Ideal candidates for TMJ treatment or TMJ surgery are individuals who are looking to improve chronic or acute pain and discomfort associated with a TMJ disorder. Eligibility for a TMJ treatment varies from patient to patient. Generally, Dr. John Koutsoyiannis will try to improve your TMJ symptoms with a less invasive or non-surgical option. Dr. Koutsoyiannis reserves TMJ surgery for more severe cases of TMJ pain that have not shown improvement from traditional TMJ treatments.
| SYMPTOMS OF TMJ |
| Ear Aches Or Headaches Without Another Cause |
| Lockjaw Or Limited Mobility |
| Clicking, Grating, Or Popping In Your Jaw When Opening Or Closing Your Mouth |
| TMJ TREATMENTS |
| Wearing A Night Guard |
| Physical Therapy Sessions |
| Only Eating Soft Food Until The Pain Subsides |
| Avoid Chewing Gum As It Aggravates Your Conditions |
| Massaging Or Stretching Your Jaw And Neck Muscles |
| Applying A Hot Or Cold Pack To The Area To Relieve Pain |
| Over-The-Counter Medications Such As Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Or Acetaminophen |
| Trigger Point Acupuncture |