Heat improves blood circulation to the treated area. Applying heat via warm soaks or heating pads can be very soothing. Most doctors recommend that you apply the heat for about 10 minutes at a time, 3-4 times a day.

Cold can help decrease inflammation in an affected joint, relieve pain, and improve stiffness and movement. Apply an ice pack for 20-30 minutes at a time, several times each day.

Corticosteroid injections are rarely used for TMD, although they may be recommended for more severe cases, predominantly when the disorder is caused by inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. The corticosteroid medicine can help decrease inflammation and pain in the joint.

In this therapy, the affected joint is injected with a solution containing a corticosteroid medication such as:

• Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
• Triamcinolone (Aristocort)

In the more common situation in which pain is due to muscle tension rather than TMD arthritis, injection of Botox into facial muscles can give relief of pain when other treatments have failed. Treatments may need to be repeated. The safety and efficacy of such repeated treatments have not yet been established.

There is some limited evidence that low-level laser therapy can improve symptoms, though few scientific studies provide strong guidance for choosing treatments.

You doctor may order you a splint or bite plate that interferes with jaw clenching and teeth grinding. You might be advised to wear it only at night, or you might wear it at times during the day when you are more likely to grind your teeth or clench your jaw. These appliances shouldn’t alter your natural bite.