The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint of the jaw bone that connects the mandible, or mandible, to the upper temporal bone, which is part of the skull (cranium). Although pain or dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint is often referred to as "TMJ", it is simply the name of the joint. The actual term for these symptoms is temporomandibular joint disorder (or dysfunction). TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder.
TMJ disorders often cause several problems, such as jaw pain, jaw locking, jaw popping and jaw clicking.
Why use laser therapy? Although there are several treatments available for TMD. Some typical treatments are painkillers, dental clips, injections, massage, physical therapy, chiropractic or anti-inflammatory drugs. But unfortunately, these treatments work for some people and don't always solve all different forms of TMJ pain for everyone, even after months and years of various forms of treatment.
This is because these therapies are not very successful in restoring displaced disks. The typical approach is to try to get blood to the affected area and rely on available pathways to deliver blood. If enough blood can be delivered, muscles and other affected areas can get energy and heal. But TMD complications often prevent blood flow to the affected area. As a result, typical therapies are often not very effective.
Laser technology is so advanced that it can be used to recover disks. Laser therapy can not only help TMD patients recover the displaced disc, but also heal the nerves around the disk. Laser therapy can send blood to the affected area, giving muscles and other parts enough energy to heal themselves.
While a high-power laser usually has high penetration and dose capacity, this does not mean it will injure or burn. The therapist does not have to cut any part of your body. This is safe when a trained therapist provides deep tissue laser therapy. So laser pain management plays a very important role in the treatment of TMD pain.
