TMJ / TMD
PRF Injections for TMJ Disorders
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TMJ / TMD
A treatment option made from your own blood
Jaw pain can affect everything: eating, talking, sleeping, and even smiling. You may have tried night guards, medications, or other treatments for your TMJ pain, clicking, or locking you’ve been living with. At Lansdowne Dental Care, Dr. Tracey Nguyen offers platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) injections. This is a minimally invasive treatment prepared from your own blood that is being studied for TMJ disorders. For some patients, it may be one part of a comprehensive TMJ treatment plan.
TMJ / TMD
Understanding the TMJ
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull. It controls every bite, yawn, and word you speak. It’s one of the most complex joints in the body. It works together with your muscles, nerves, bite, and airway.
TMJ disorders can have many causes and can show up in different ways, including:
- Jaw pain or soreness
- Clicking or popping when you open or close
- Limited opening or a jaw that locks
- Muscle tension and facial pain
- Inflammation in the joint
- Headaches related to jaw dysfunction
Over time, some joints develop degenerative changes. This means the bone and tissues of the joint begin to break down. Because these symptoms can have different causes, a careful diagnosis comes before any treatment decision. And, always at Lansdowne Dental Care, we evaluate for whole-body health first when deciding the best course of action.
TMJ / TMD
What is PRF?
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is prepared from a small sample of your own blood. It contains platelets, fibrin, and other blood-derived components, including growth factors that play a role in the body’s natural healing processes. Researchers are studying how these components may help with pain and function in certain TMJ disorders.
Because PRF is made from your own blood, it contains no synthetic fillers or steroids, and there is no concern about reactions to donor material. Like any injection, it still has risks, which we’ll discuss with you before treatment.
Diagnose. Stabilize.
Modulate. Regenerate.
TMJ / TMD
How PRF differs from PRP
You may have heard of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which is used in sports medicine and other fields. PRF is a related but different preparation. The main differences are in how it’s prepared. It is typically prepared without added anticoagulants and forms a fibrin matrix. This is a natural scaffold made from your own blood’s clotting proteins. PRF may contain white blood cells and the fibrin matrix is thought to release growth factors more gradually.
TMJ / TMD
Potential benefits of PRF
Research on PRF for TMJ disorders is encouraging but still developing, and results vary between studies and patients. Potential benefits may include a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that may improve pain in some patients. It is also made from your own blood so there is no concern about reactions to donor-derived material and there are no synthetic fillers or steroids. PRF may improve jaw opening and function in some patients and can be combined with other conservative TMJ treatments depending on your provider’s plan.
TMJ / TMD
Is PRF right for you?
PRF may be a good fit if you:
- Experience chronic jaw pain or soreness
- Have a jaw that clicks, pops, or locks
- Have tried other treatments without lasting relief
- Prefer a natural, biologic approach
- Would like to explore options other than steroid injections
- Want a treatment plan built around a careful diagnosis
Whether PRF is appropriate depends on your specific diagnosis and clinical findings. A comprehensive evaluation always comes first, and we avoid irreversible treatments until your joint has been properly assessed.
TMJ / TMD
Part of a complete TMJ plan
PRF works best when the joint is stable. If clenching, an unstable bite, airway-related grinding, or disc problems continue, symptoms are more likely to return. That’s why PRF at Lansdowne Dental Care is one possible part of a complete approach: Diagnose, Stabilize, Modulate, Regenerate.
When appropriate, Dr. Tracey may combine PRF with other therapies, such as an orthopedic TMJ splint, Botox for TMD, photobiomodulation with our Fotona laser, gentle stretching, and attention to sleep and airway health. Your plan is selected based on your diagnosis.
TMJ / TMD
Preparing for your appointment
We’ll give you instructions for your appointment based on your health and medications. Before your visit, you may be asked to:
- Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of your appointment
- Eat a light meal beforehand
- Check with us about over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (please don’t stop any prescribed medication without talking with the clinician who prescribed it)
- Limit alcohol and smoking for 24 to 48 hours beforehand
- Avoid putting extra strain on your jaw, such as chewing gum or very tough foods
- Keep wearing your TMJ orthotic if one has been prescribed
- Arrive with clean skin and minimal facial products
Please let us know about any medical conditions, medications, recent illness, or changes in your health before treatment.
Step by Step
What to expect
1
Blood draw
A small sample of blood is drawn from your arm, similar to a routine lab test.
2
Processing
Your blood is placed in a centrifuge, which separates and concentrates the PRF.
3
Injection
The PRF is carefully and precisely placed in the TMJ area.
4
Done in under an hour
The full appointment usually takes less than an hour.
TMJ / TMD
Recovery
Many patients return to normal activities within a day or two, though recovery varies. Mild soreness, stiffness, or a temporary increase in symptoms can happen for a few days. Your aftercare instructions will be specific to you and may include:
- A soft diet for several days
- Avoiding gum and excessive jaw use
- Applying ice for 10 to 15 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours
- Guidance on which pain relievers to use
- Staying hydrated and eating well
- Continuing your orthotic or splint as directed
Please call our office if you notice severe swelling, fever, or worsening symptoms.
TMJ / TMD
How many treatments will I need?
Treatment plans depend on the condition of your joint. As always, your treatment is completely personal to you and your specific condition. That being said, the number of injections is individualized and depends on your diagnosis and how you respond. Some patients have a single session; others have a short series spaced several weeks apart, with re-evaluation along the way. Dr. Tracey will recommend a plan based on your evaluation and will communicate with you throughout.
Meet the Doctor
Why choose Lansdowne Dental Care for TMJ care?
TMJ problems are rarely just a joint problem. Dr. Tracey looks at the whole system, including your joints, muscles, bite, airway, and posture, using 3D imaging and a careful exam. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and an educator who teaches other dentists about airway and jaw health, she understands how sleep, clenching, and jaw pain are connected. That means your PRF treatment is part of a plan built around you.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PRF help TMJ pain?
Research suggests PRF may improve pain and jaw opening in some patients with certain TMJ disorders. The evidence is encouraging but not conclusive, and studies vary in how PRF is prepared and used.
Is PRF safe?
PRF is a minimally invasive procedure. Because it uses your own blood, there’s no concern about reactions to donor material, but it does have potential risks, such as soreness, bruising, bleeding, infection or a temporary increase in symptoms. We’ll discuss these with you before treatment.
How is PRF different from a steroid injection?
Steroid injections and PRF work differently. Steroids are anti-inflammatory medications, while PRF is prepared from your own blood. Each has its own uses, benefits and risks, and the right choice depends on your diagnosis. Dr. Tracey will talk with you about the options.
Can PRF help jaw clicking?
Clicking has many causes, and it doesn’t always need treatment. PRF isn’t a reliable way to stop clicking. In some patients, pain improves even if clicking continues.
Will I need surgery?
Most TMJ care starts with conservative treatment, and many patients never need surgery. PRF is one of several options we may consider, but we can’t promise it will prevent the need for surgery.
Schedule your TMJ evaluation
Every TMJ plan starts with a careful diagnosis. Schedule a virtual consultation with Dr. Tracey to talk through your symptoms and find out whether PRF may be an option for you.
Book Your Virtual Consult
Start With
a Conversation
Tell us a little about what you’re experiencing and our team will reach out to schedule your virtual consultation with Dr. Tracey.
Leesburg · Health · Function · Aesthetics · Confidence