About TMJ Problems — Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
New TMJ treatments are changing the way that painful jaw conditions are rehabilitated, but Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is still a condition that affects millions of Americans. TMJ pain and discomfort are indeed widespread, and many TMJ pain sufferers feel as if their only recourse is to take medications to control the pain or pursue surgical interventions for long-term relief. Worse yet, there are many who suffer right now with temporomandibular joint pain so severe that even the simple things like talking and chewing food are terribly painful. TMJ pain can alter a person’s eating habits, or even cause some to be depressed because the pain is so severe and frequent. This is no way to live!
Fortunately, modern medicine and dentistry are advancing quickly and there are now many diagnostic and treatment avenues for patients to pursue. TMJ pain is far more treatable today than it was even just a decade ago. But how do you know what kind of provider to seek out, and how do you know that you are receiving top-quality diagnostic information and care?
HOW a TMD condition is diagnosed is a critical factor in determining appropriate TMJ treatments!
Diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder by a dentist is becoming more and more commonplace these days, but there’s something more you should know about getting TMJ treatments in general. Not every dentist is equally qualified when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of TMD conditions. Some providers have additional TMJ diagnostic and treatment capabilities, and if you wish to avoid the possibility of perpetual medication usage or invasive surgeries you might want to consider the type of provider you see for TMJ help.
Know that Dr. Gregg W. McKenzie and his staff offer some of the latest technological breakthroughs for TMJ diagnosis and treatment — right here in Columbia, SC. Dr. McKenzie is highly experienced in the area of neuromuscular dentistry. Receiving diagnostic testing and treatments from him is likely to be very different than what you might receive through traditional providers. He believes that, in the majority of cases, no drugs, needles, or surgical procedures will be necessary for long-term TMJ pain mitigation. The newer diagnostic technologies and treatment protocols he offers are based on more recent advancements in the area of sports medicine, dentistry, and physical therapy. It is now possible to diagnose TMJ problems with greater precision and accuracy. Additionally, medication and surgery are largely unnecessary in treatment plans that are predicated on neuromuscular rehabilitation.
Successful neuromuscular rehabilitation begins with detailed and thorough diagnosis of the temporomandibular joints, as well as all related neuromusculature within the patient’s Stomatognathic System (hard and soft tissues surrounding the jaw joints).
Receiving Comprehensive Diagnosis for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
Getting a TMJ/TMD diagnosis at McKenzie Periodontics does not hurt, but it does have the potential to shed new light on your pain condition. For the first time ever, you can finally know WHY you suffer chronically with TMJ discomfort.
Diagnosis involves an in-office exam at Dr. McKenzie’s Columbia, SC periodontics practice. This exam usually takes around 90 minutes to complete. During the exam, we will thoroughly explore your medical history and history with orofacial pain, TMJ discomfort, and other pain conditions. Leading-edge technologies will be used during the diagnosis, including Bite Force Analysis (TScan) and Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) to pinpoint neuromuscular force problems and locate any issues in the temporomandibular joints. 3D models of the bite force distributions of your teeth, face, and jaw joints will be rendered for the doctor’s review and the results will be interpreted and immediately available.
Additionally, your range of motion impairment will be measured carefully with ROM testing, and the muscles of your head, neck and face will be palpated to locate trigger points (locations of pain, soreness, and subdermal tension that contribute to your TMD condition). All of this diagnostic testing has the ability to expose the root causes for persistent TMJ pain. Knowing the real root causes for the jaw pain you experience is the first step in achieving lasting pain relief through effective, non-invasive TMJ treatments.
Non-invasive TMD / TMJ Treatments — NO Drugs, Needles, or Surgery
Dr. McKenzie creates customized TMJ treatments for each and every patient with temporomandibular joint problems. Some of the technologies we use to treat and rehabilitate patients actually feel quite good, and some patients have even compared their experiences to spending time at the spa! Common TMJ treatments we employ for our patients include low-level application of Cold Laser, manual manipulation/massage techniques, ultrasound of the affected muscles, and cranial electrical stimulation (CES). These are all FDA-Approved technologies for the relief of chronic pain.
If there are neuromuscular force problems involved in producing your TMJ pain, diagnosis by Dr. McKenzie will provide you with fresh answers to explain the nature of your unique TMJ pain experience. Furthermore, diagnosis informs Dr. McKenzie exactly where treatment must be directed to produce the desired results. Neuromuscular force problems that exacerbate or directly cause TMJ pain can be rehabilitated to normal, and bite distribution can be adjusted to ensure optimal tissue function throughout the entire Stomatognathic System. In fact, neuromuscular rehabilitation may not only relieve your TMJ pain and jaw discomforts in a relatively short time — it can ALSO help to eliminate the condition long-term.
Do you suffer with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and TMJ Pain? Call Us: (803) 788-0900
Don't let TMJ pain change your habits. Get help now.