Orthodontists, dentists and oral surgeons now recommend surgical options only as a last resort in TMJ patients (roughly 10% now receive the surgery). There are few side effects from other, more conservative treatments.
Things to Avoid:
- If you are taking anti-inflammatory drugs over the counter, such as Ibuprofen, make sure that you don't take other drugs containing Acetaminophen.
- If you take more than the recommended dosage of anti-inflammatory drugs, or if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, along with Ibuprofen, the combination may result in liver damage.
- If you are pregnant, ask your doctor before taking any over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
Splints, which are often used to treat TMJ problems of all kinds, present no health risks. Usually, when you first begin using a splint, however, you will lisp. This lisping is only temporary, and speech returns to normal within a short adjustment period.
Whenever you undertake permanent, irreversible treatments such as braces, equilibration, and arthroscopic surgery, you run the risk of permanent changes being made in your mouth and jaw alignment. These treatments, when recommended by an orthodontist, dentist, or physician often eliminate or reduce TMJ symptoms, however, there is no "cure" for TMJ, and so you run the risk of undergoing procedures which may or may not solve your TMJ problem. Since TMJ is such a difficult disorder to treat, many TMJ treatments are expensive and may not be covered by your insurance. [See TMJ: Costs/Insurance].
Before undergoing any irreversible medical, dental, or orthodontic procedure, such as braces, equilibration, or surgery, get the opinion of at least two professionals to see that the procedure performed will bring about significant enough improvement to justify both the cost and permanent effects of the procedure.
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