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Treatment of
TMD/TMJ
 Once
a diagnosis of TMD
is made, the first line of treatment is, in most cases, an orthosis.
An orthosis is a custom made appliance fabricated of plastic that
can be worn over the teeth to maintain the neuromuscularly derived
bite position.
It
is important to note that at this point, nothing is done to permanently
alter your teeth or your bite. You typically wear this plastic appliance
for a prescribed period of time to verify that this new jaw position
solves or reduces the problem. If it does, it has proven that the
imperfect bite was the cause of the problem and you can elect to
go on and have your natural teeth treated to permanently maintain
that new bite position.
If symptoms are not substantially alleviated, the bite position
is most likely not the cause of the problem. Your natural bite has
not been altered and other causes may then be further explored.
(Although this latter circumstance
is possible, it is not likely since the neuromuscular dentist will
only proceed with an orthosis if there are strong indications that
the bite is a major factor in your problem.)
Correcting
the bite position
Once
it has been established without a doubt that the cause of the TMD
is in fact a bite problem, the neuromuscular dentist with design
a treatment plan to correct this more permanently. Sometimes an
orthodontist or other dental specialist may be referred to for preliminary
work. Using specialised equipment, and working together with a proficient
dental technician, the neuromuscular dentist will create a bite
that allows the jaw to sit in it's correct resting position when
not in use. It is important at this point to also consider any cosmetic
requirements that the patient may have, as these can be corrected
at the same time. Dr Wells has a number of "Before"
and "After" photographs that he can show you to help
you work with him toward the look you want to achieve.
Our
dentist, Dr John Wells, has had
extensive training and experience in both Cosmetic and Neuromuscular
Dentistry. When combining these two disciplines of dentistry, the
results are both cosmetically and functionally stunning. We have
now completed a large number of neuromuscular cases, and have had
fantastic results - even with chronic, severe headache sufferers.
Following is an actual case study of just such a case, treated in
our office.
Neuromuscular
Case Study
(Case history under construction)
Denture
wearers
Denture
wearers are also benefiting from these relatively new techniques
in Australia. Following intensive diagnostic testing and full Neuromuscular
workups, our denture patients are telling us that not only are their
TMD symptoms being greatly alleviated, but these dentures are the
most comfortable dentures they have ever worn!
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