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Why should you fix it?
Often, the person and health care provider may not even realise that a TMD is present and is contributing to or is the cause of the existing health complaints and symptoms. This makes treatment very frustrating for both the patient and the practitioner.
In these cases the symptoms do not resolve completely, or they keep returning and thus the patient needs to be placed on a ‘maintenance’ schedule, or are told they need to ‘learn to live with it’. In many other cases long-term medications are prescribed to mask or reduce symptoms as the cause of the condition cannot be found or isolated.
In the majority of these cases, without treating the TMD many symptoms cannot be stabilised and allowed to heal. And vice versa, without treating the other symptoms, we often cannot alleviate the TMD.
Treatment of TMD
Diagnosis of a person suffering from TMD can be very complicated and confusing. The disorder and resultant symptoms and dysfunction often results in significant pain and impairment because the disorder transcends many boundaries of health professions – in particular dentistry, neurology, general medicine, physiotherapy, osteopathy, and psychology.
Therefore, in many cases treatment may involve a ‘team’ of people with specialised skills and may occur over a period of months rather than days or weeks. This is especially true for those patients that have a chronic long-term condition that has developed into a ‘pain cycle’.
A correct diagnosis involves the use of highly specialised and computerised diagnostic equipment, x-rays, CT scans, MRI’s, jaw measurements, plaster models of your teeth, airway assessment, photographs, and a very thorough medical history.
Only after a confirmed diagnosis of TMD will any form of treatment be suggested.
Treatment is aimed at reducing muscle pain, improving sleep quality, ‘decompressing’ the TMJ, and improving body posture. By positioning your lower jaw and teeth in an orthopaedic relationship with the upper jaw that is termed ‘neuromuscular’ so your head and neck muscles are in a relaxed state, they automatically will guide you into a comfortable corrected bite. This position is then recorded and confirmed using various tests and computerised equipment.
Depending on the diagnosis made and the severity of the TMD, a night orthosis (splint), and/or a day orthosis are then constructed. Your new bite relationship is held in place by the custom made plastic orthosis that fits over the teeth for wear during waking hours, and one that is worn during sleep.
In the majority of cases however (70%), only a night orthotic is needed, and in other’s, the use of partial dentures, overlay dentures, or other custom designed appliances may also be used to hold and maintain your new bite position. And in many other cases simple exercises and self-management techniques are prescribed. The exact nature of the treatment is based entirely on the diagnosis for each individual.
Site © 2007-2008 Dr. Tony Eldridge B.D.S. Last modified July 31, 2008.