Categories: Oral Surgery

3 Common Types of Jaw Pain Treatment

Jaw pain treatment ranges from preventative measures to surgical treatments. Different treatments target different conditions and disorders of the jaw. Whether you are suffering from a short-term or chronic condition, the information that follows will be helpful.

Common conditions that require jaw pain treatment

Chronic jaw pain could happen because of injury, disk slippage, nerve problems, or disorders of the temporomandibular joints. Jaw pain can also have root causes like tooth pain, cluster headaches, and sinusitis.

The underlying cause of jaw pain determines the course of treatment that an oral surgeon will recommend. Jaw pain with chronic issues at its root lends itself to therapies that manage symptoms like discomfort. Acute causes are easy to treat with one-off treatment plans that take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete. Here are three common types of jaw pain treatment that oral surgeons can administer.

1. Preventative and therapeutic measures

This is a course of action that relieves and slowly corrects chronic root causes of jaw pain. For example, a patient with TMJ disorder will suffer from jaw clenching and teeth grinding. An oral surgeon will provide relief for such patients by:

  • Prescribing a custom nightguard to prevent teeth grinding
  • Recommending stress-relief measures for people who grind their teeth because of stress
  • Recommending physiotherapy to relax the jaw muscles and improve the jaw’s range of motion 
  • Prescribing pain medication in the short term

Oral surgeons use preventative and therapeutic treatments as a conservative course of overall treatment. They will choose such a treatment plan when there seems to be little evidence of a jaw malformation.

2. BOTOX®

BOTOX is a paralytic that relaxes the jaw muscles, which prevents them from clenching and causing jaw pain. This is a much more effective alternative to a nightguard. For starters, the effect of BOTOX works day and night. After all, it is hard to get through the day with an appliance in the mouth. Also, protective devices cannot prevent jaw muscles from clenching. The effects of BOTOX can last a few months, providing relief for long stretches.

3. Jaw surgery

This is an intensive option that oral surgeons recommend as a last resort. They can use jaw surgery to correct the following conditions:

  • A jaw deformity
  • Injury to the jaw
  • A slipped disk in the joints that connect the jaw and the skull
  • Injury or pinching of a nerve in the face 

Advances in medicine allow for minimally invasive surgical treatments, some of which are doable on an out-patient basis. Jaw surgery can be a standalone treatment, or it can be part of a larger treatment plan. In the case of a jaw malformation, surgery will usually precede orthodontic treatment. The pain typically goes away when root causes like sinusitis, infection, and cluster headaches are treated.

We can work with you toward a pain-free reality

Jaw pain treatment requires an oral surgeon with the experience and insight to provide effective treatment in the long term. Our practice has many patients who are enjoying improvements in their daily lives. Get in touch with us and make an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://corderoperiodontics.com or call Rafael E. Cordero, DDS PA at (561) 763-9221 for an appointment in our Palm Beach Gardens office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

Why Choose Implant Supported Dentures? Top Benefits Explained

More and more people are turning to implant supported dentures for full and partial tooth replacement. This option's continued rise in popularity is due to its impressive success rate and other key benefits. If you are exploring your tooth replacement options, there are unique advantages to choosing implant supported dentures.As the name suggests, implant supported…

Expert Periodontist Services For Healthy Gums And Beautiful Smiles

People who are seeking healthy gums but are dealing with challenges with gingivitis can see an expert periodontist, a dental professional who has studied the structures that support the teeth. These include the gums, the jawbone itself, and the ligaments that help hold the teeth in place.Periodontists are trained dentists who focus their attention on…

Transform Your Smile With Expert Implant Dentistry

It is common for people to be self-conscious about their smile, and many do not realize just how big of an impact that expert implant dentistry can have. Implants provide functional and aesthetic benefits that other restorations cannot achieve. The implant process is more in-depth than options like dentures, so the overall outcome is also…

When To Visit A Periodontist For Gum Recession

Concerned about gum recession? Read on to learn more. If your smile looks different in the mirror recently, you might want to see a periodontist. You may notice your tooth roots are showing more, your teeth seem longer, or your gums are receding. Perhaps your gums are becoming more tender and your teeth are more…

Dr. Cordero

Share
Published by
Dr. Cordero

Recent Posts

Why Choose Implant Supported Dentures? Top Benefits Explained

Since implant supported dentures are a customizable and versatile tooth replacement option, almost anyone looking…

2 weeks ago

Expert Periodontist Services for Healthy Gums and Beautiful Smiles

The periodontist typically takes bone from elsewhere in the mouth, but they can use hip…

2 months ago

Transform Your Smile With Expert Implant Dentistry

Dental implants are useful for smile transformations because they closely mimic real teeth.

3 months ago

When To Visit a Periodontist for Gum Recession

Periodontal disease may make teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures because it exposes…

3 months ago

What Does a Periodontist Do for Your Oral Health?

Most periodontists regularly perform oral surgeries like implant installation.

5 months ago