Sleep disorders cause all sorts of problems, and are more common than most people realize. Dr. Jennifer J. Cornell, DDS, at Dental Sleep and TMJ Solutions of Clarksville has answers to some of the questions that come up about the conditions preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep.

Question: I have been told I have arthritis in my jaw joints. I hear a lot of noises when I chew, and it is painful when I bite down on something hard. Can this be fixed with a steroid injection like you do for your knee or shoulder?

Answer: Yes, joint injections can be used for arthritic jaw joints. But, unlike other joints in the body, the jaw joints are supported by teeth. They are unique joints in the way they move and function.

In the past, steroid medication was used. But recently, this has been changing to a regenerative-type injection using your own body to heal and remodel the joint. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) injections are increasingly being explored as regenerative treatments for orthopedic conditions, including joint degeneration. These therapies use components derived from the patient’s own blood, rich in platelets and growth factors, to promote healing and regeneration.

Here are the potential benefits:

  • Regeneration of joint tissue: PRP and PRF contain growth factors (e.g., platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta) that can stimulate the repair and regeneration of cartilage, synovium, and other joint tissues.
  • Reduction in inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of PRP/PRF can help reduce chronic inflammation in the TMJ, alleviating pain and improving joint function.
  • Pain relief: By promoting tissue healing and reducing inflammation, PRP and PRF injections can reduce pain associated with TMJ degeneration.
  • Improved joint function: Patients often experience improved jaw mobility and function as the regenerative process supports better joint mechanics and reduces stiffness.
  • Minimally invasive: These injections are non-surgical and involve a minimally invasive process, making them a lower-risk alternative to more invasive treatments like surgery.
  • Autologous material: Because PRP and PRF are derived from the patient’s own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or immune rejection is minimal.
  • Potential to delay surgery: By promoting healing and reducing symptoms, PRP/PRF injections may delay or even eliminate the need for more invasive interventions, such as joint replacement.
  • Fewer side effects: Compared to corticosteroid injections, which can weaken tissues over time, PRP/PRF promotes tissue health and does not carry the same risks of tissue damage.

PRF is considered an advancement over PRP because it contains a fibrin matrix, which allows for a slower release of growth factors and potentially more prolonged healing effects. PRF is also less processed than PRP, avoiding the use of anticoagulants, which may result in a more natural regenerative process.

Side effects are similar for any injection, such as redness or swelling at the injection site, or temporary numbness of the side of the face, etc.

The benefits truly outweigh the potential side effects. PRF injections can provide relief from pain, better range of motion, and, along with other combined therapy such as photobiomodulation and PT, relieve the majority of issues with chronic TMD issues.

At Dental Sleep & TMJ Solutions of Clarksville, we offer PRF injections and work alongside our medical colleagues to utilize all treatments necessary to fit the individuals diagnosis and symptoms. For more, visit the Dental Sleep and TMJ Solutions of Clarksville website or call 931-645-8000.