Free Treatment for TMJ Pain

This federally funded research project provides non-surgical treatments to persons with pain in the area of the TMJ. The purpose is to test a new treatment approach. All volunteers will get an X-ray of the face, and will receive a splint (a mouth guard), plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like Advil), and weekly monitoring, as well as additional instruction in coping and managing the pain of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).

Patients will receive one of several psychosocial similar treatments. Among the cognitive-behavioral strategies used are relaxation, general stress management, and cognitive coping skills. Treatments will be conducted in 6 one-hour weekly sessions, and some patients will be followed for a year after treatment is over, depending on the treatment assigned.

All treatment is provided free of charge. In addition to treatment, all participants are also asked to monitor their jaw pain, mood states, and coping behaviors using a special cell-phone application prior to, during, and following treatment.

This research is being conducted at UConn Health in Farmington, CT.