Myofunctional therapy for TMJ
Myofunctional Dentist
Myofunctional Therapy
Exercises For TMJ
The Temporomandibular Joint is made up of muscles, bone, nerve and cartilage. Dysfunction in any of these structures can contribute to the disorder in the joint. One of the most common causes of a TM Disorder is neuro-muscular dysfunction, where the various muscles connected to the neck, face and head spasm painfully. In more severe cases, the muscles connected to the Articular disk may actually displace it out of position, causing additional pain, clicking & popping sounds and a locked jaw. These spasms are caused by multiple factors like mouth breathing, tongue tie, teeth grinding, clenching, a bad bite, physical or emotional trauma, etc.
ROLE OF MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY IN TMD
A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is an extremely common problem. TMD is often viewed as a repetitive orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) that causes the eventual breakdown of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. s. Most dentists treat neuromuscular TMJ cases only by applying splints and appliances without actually addressing its root cause. By not finding the cause, one cannot make jaw pain treatment successful and the cure sustainable and long-lasting.
Multiple factors may cause a TMJ patient to
incorrectly swallow & breathe
which results in muscular & TMJ.
Patients suffering from TMJ usually have fatigued & spasming facial muscles resulting from trauma, stress, clenching or the inability to find a proper bite, incorrect swallowing and breathing dysfunction. To help you to chew and close your mouth properly, your jaw muscles may be working overtime to try and keep your head posture in balance. When these muscles become fatigued, it can send pain down your neck and into your shoulders and back. The pain can even radiate down your arms in severe cases.
CHOOSING THE LEAST INVASIVE TMJ PAIN TREATMENT FIRST IS ALWAYS BEST.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy by a myofunctional dentist for TMJ pain in Mumbai focuses strictly on treating the root cause, trying to fix it first and break that negative cycle. As this study from Brazil shows, OMT has a significant reduction in pain sensitivity to palpations for all muscles and increased mandibular mobility and range of motion, reduced frequency and severity of signs and symptoms of TMD. Myofunctional therapy for TMJ pain and disorder may enhance a person’s quality of life, especially if they are in pain from their jaw joint constantly working in dysfunction.
ORAL MOTOR REHABILITATION
We do this by identifying compensations. When we focus on establishing correcting oral posture, this insinuates a lip seal and tongue to the palate at ALL times, unless they are in use. Creating a harmonious muscle balance is crucial to correct articular and muscular TMD.
Compensation is one way a person ends up getting TMD, but it also connects us to another cause like anxiety and stress. Someone who has experienced emotional imbalance may hold those feelings in their jaw in an effort to release the happy hormone called oxytocin. For these patients we also provide an emotional support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Myofunctional therapy for TMJ is used to strengthen orofacial & tongue muscles to help stabilize the jaw and the TMJ. It is one of the first and most important steps towards relieving the tensed muscles.
Contact us to speak to a myofunctional dentist for Myofunctional therapy for TMJ.
Depending on the causes of TMJ pain / TMD, we offer non-invasive methods:
- Orofacial Pain Relief: Orofacial helps deal with the care of non-dental pain that is present in the head, face or neck or inside your mouth.
- Airway Orthodontics: Airway orthodontics focuses on expanding the jaw and bringing it forwards to create wider airways that help improve the overall well-being of an individual.
- Tongue tie release: This procedure involves releasing the appropriate stretch of tissues to relieve TMJ, unfavourable movements of the lower jaw and tension in the floor of the mouth, neck, face and head.
- GNeuromuscular Orthotics: These TMJ splints or mouth pieces or mouth guards are the next level of advancement. A customized GNM orthotic appliance is meticulously designed for your specific needs in order to reduce and eventually eliminate discomfort to the teeth, jaws and/or muscles of the head, neck and shoulders. GNM dentistry is a combination of understanding and applying the required skill set to treat complex cases of TMJ/TMD. It mainly focuses on body alignment, accurate occlusion, and optimal mandibular functions resulting in the optimal function and form of the joints.
- Myofunctional therapy: This therapy helps treat the root cause by strengthening orofacial muscles and the tongue establishing nasal breathing, correct tongue posture and correct swallowing. Myofunctional therapy is one of the treatment options to treat TMJ and is often used alongside other treatment options like GNM Orthotics, treating airways and sleep apnea problems, posture correction, and so on. To learn more about how Myofunctional therapy helps with TMJ, check out our blog.
You can connect with our team to speak to renowned myofunctional therapists. Our team consists of myofunctional therapists with years of experience. We will help you with personalized treatment and care, to ensure you see effective results of myofunctional therapy.
Myofucntional therapy for TMJ is extremely effective and helps alleviate TMJ symptoms effectively. The time taken to see results from myofunctional therapy for TMJ is usually 2-4 weeks which may differ from one patient to another, depending on various factors such as patient related factors, following the pre and post therapy guidelines.
OUR GLOBALLY AVAILABLE VIRTUAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY:
Blogs
Effective Snoring Exercises For A Good Night’s Sleep
Snoring, a common sleep disorder, is characterised by the loud noises a person makes while they sleep
Let’s Re-evaluate Our Breathing!
As a child I was told that breathing is an action that happens automatically and not much attention
3 Methods To Test If Your Child Is Habitually Mouth Breathing
If you ask a patient if they are breathing through their mouth they will instinctively tell you no they are breathing
Treating Sleep Apnea With Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Can sleep apnea be treated with oral Myofunctional therapy? The answer is yes, it can be. However,
Why Is Airway Orthodontics Necessary To Align Your Teeth?
Did you know that our entire jaw and mouth structure lie right in front of the airway?
Myofunctional Therapy For TMJ: How It Helps?
TMJ pain is a common problem affecting many individuals – adults and children alike. TMJ refers to
How Does Thumb Sucking And Pacifier Use Impact Your Child’s Myofunctional Development?
Myofunctional development is vital for overall oral health, involving the coordination and function
Mouth Breathing: Things Every Parent Needs To Know
Did you know that 60% -70% of children suffer from mouth breathing? That’s right! Mouth breathing refers to breathing
Is Snoring Dangerous? Warning Signs And How To Treat It
Is snoring dangerous? This is a common question asked by many, and the simple answer is YES, it is!
7 Reasons To Get Braces As An Adult
Be it a kid or an adult – everyone can get braces. Your oral health contributes to your overall health,
