Orofacial pain

The treatment of chronic pain of the head and neck is a difficult diagnostic puzzle. In an acute injury, the pain is at the site of origin, in a chronic condition however, the brain and body have instigated a variety of compensatory mechanisms that may drastically alter the degree and location of symptoms.

Diagnostic postural balance tests are used to prioritise treatment and identify the origin of the presenting systems, which may involve: muscle pain of the head, neck or back; dizziness or vertigo; migraine; pain in the arms, hands or shoulders; sleep deprivation; swallowing difficulty; and many other symptoms. Treatment involves jaw joint stabilisation using removable pivots or splints and mandibular postural appliances to correct any structural injuries. Referral to other medical and allied health practitioners is required if systems persist for treatment of biochemical, physiological, hormonal or respiratory disorders.

Following jaw joint stabilisation, pain relief and a full range of jaw movements, restorative dentistry is undertaken (if required). This involves protecting compromised heavily restored teeth, improving aesthetics, reconstructing the correct intermeshing of teeth using restorative techniques (crown, bridges, implants or only) orthodontics, orthognathic surgery or cosmetic dentistry,

Do you suffer from Head/Neck pain? Regular headaches? Jaw ache?
Find out how we can help!

www.woollahradental.com 

A Mental Headache

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction and muscle disorders, often known as TMJ or TMD, can be not only a real physical pain but a psychological pain as well. When the muscles and nerves of the TM joint are injured; inflammation, headaches, blurred vision, jaw tightness, ear pain, ringing in the ear, facial swelling, shoulder/neck stiffness and even depression can occur.  According to the TMJ Association, approximately 12% of the population is affected by TMD.  A research article by The School of Psychology and Life Sciences concluded that, “depression is particularly common among TMD patients” and pain symptoms associated with TMD can be treated with occlusal appliances or dental splint.

The TM joint is where the bones of your skull connect to your jaw located just in front of your ear. Injury to the TM joint can occur directly through experiencing physical trauma or occur over time such as:

• Experiencing excessive stress or anxiety 
• Teeth grinding/clenching
• Poor posture
• Misalignment of teeth position
• Genetics
• Poor Orthodontic treatment 
• Ill-fitting dentures
• Excessive gum chewing
• Arthritis 

When people experience chronic pain, such as that experienced from TMD/TMJ depression becomes prevalent. According to WebMd, “depression can magnify pain and make it harder to cope”, which make it a vicious cycle if left untreated. TMD patients have said that the pain they feel stops them from doing daily activities, socialising with friends, going out to eat, talking on the phone and it disrupts their sleeping so they are always tired and have clouded thoughts.

Pain brings people to their GP first for immediate relief through medication.  However, there are other options for long term relief such as a visit to see Dr Tony Ancell of Woollahra Dental Practice.  His practice takes a holistic approach and can help treat TMD/TMJ through orthodontics, bite reconstruction, creating an occlusal appliances or dental splint.

If you or a loved one is suffering from chronic pain from the TM joint call today 02 9363 5690 to seek treatment that is life changing.

www.woollahradental.com

TMJ Next Generation Device FDA Approved for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Woollahra Dental would like to share some information published by the AACP written by GAURAV KRISHNAMURTHY to provide information a device (FDA Approved) for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders .

TMJ Health (Farmington Hills, MI) has received FDA clearance for the TMJ NextGeneration Device to alleviate temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) pain. TMJD affects the jaw joint, surrounding muscles, and nerves, leading to chronic pain and poor quality of life. According to the NIH, more than 35 million Americans suffer from TMJD, which includes symptoms such as pain in the face, jaw or neck, jaw muscle stiffness, and sharp pain around the ears. TMJD has conventionally been treated with bite splints to reduce the amount of grinding of the teeth that causes the sharp pain. These splints cannot be worn while eating, are known to affect speech, and cause long term damage to the joints.


The TMJ NextGeneration device treats the TM joint pain in the ear canal, which happens to be near the temporomandibular joint. The device consists of two hollow ear canal inserts that rest in the outer part of the ear canal and allow full transmission of sound due to their hollow construct. The device is also easy to remove thanks to the retraction posts that are built into it.  The device is discreet, not noticeable from the outside, and makes use of the dynamic change in the ear canal geometry when the jaw is opened or closed through movements such as chewing and smiling. The device is 20% larger in size compared to the ear canal when jaws are closed, and this change in ear canal space applies light pressure against the walls of the ear canal to encourage the patient to return to the open jaw position while reducing the inclination to clench the jaw. All TMJ Next Generation devices are custom built to match the patient’s unique anatomy.

www.woollahradental.com.au 
press release source