TMJ Solutions
When treatment becomes necessary and the injury within the TMJ's is diagnosed via MRI, then appropriate intervention can be designed. Frank treatment to the TMJ's is done by designing intra-oral orthotics to address the internal joint damage. The goals of treatment always remain the same and are to artificially stabilize the internal joint as much as possible and restore a normal range of motion in all directions. By doing these things in a progressive sequence, using the orthotics, elimination of the joint inflammation and joint pain is possible. These principles are long standing methods in orthopedic, athletic, and osteopathic medicine. These techniques usually control the joint pain, ear pain, and temporal pain, which all normally arise from tissues within the TMJ. The rest of the myriad of symptoms associated with TMD/CMD involve the bio-mechanical implications of function of the area. It is most common when a patient has had these symptoms, even if for a few years, that treatment for these bio-mechanical issues will also need diagnosis and treatment to complete recovery. While the principles of such treatment would appear to be simplistic in concept, which they are, the process to unravel this complex can take months to achieve. It is a process of treatment not a magic bullet. In addition, there can also exist complicating systemic issues which will also need to be addressed. These may also require referrals to physicians with the expertise to treat them. Finally, there are rare conditions within the injury spectrum that do require a surgical solution. When such findings appear on a MRI evaluation, a 3-D C.T. scan will be necessary to determine such a surgical need. While rare, these conditions will continue to degenerate without surgery. The outcome is improved the sooner it is diagnosed and the reconstruction surgery is performed. The outcome is unfortunately dependent upon the surgeon and the type of surgery performed. This office is most fortunate to be affiliated with outstanding physicians, physical therapists, and an oral surgeon, all of whom have proven competent.
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