The Temporo Mandibualar Joint
An Orthtopedic Problem with a Dental Solution


In Dentistry there are different approaches to treatment of TMJ problems,depending on the dentists beliefs, training and level of experience. Patients are often confused about which therapy is best for them.

In May, 1996, the National Institute of Health (NIH) put together a panel of professionals from medicine and dentistry. What they agreed to in the end was NOT TO AGREE on much of anything at all. There is no current agreement on a standard of care.

 I have treated patients with TMJ problems since 1972. I have developed a treatment philosophy which works for most of our patients.

We use a sequential approach to treatment of TMJ problems depending on the severity of symptoms.

Minimal symptoms should have no therapy performed at all. Many people have slight clicking within their joints and that in itself is not grounds for treatment. We monitor these people closely during their checkup appointments and if symptoms increase determine treatment.

The ground work for the type of therapy I use was established in the 1920’s and 1930’s by a group of dental practitioners who were not looking for a “cure” for TMJ, but rather the most naturally correct position for the jaw joint, muscles and teeth to work together when they were doing dental reconstructions. Following the principals they laid down, many patients have been treated successfully.Correct treatment revolves directly around how the joint, muscles and teeth work together in the most naturally stable position of the joints. This is a natural position where the joints operates most efficiently with the least trauma being passed to the joint by the teeth and muscles.

TMJ is now recognized as a complex problem often involving Psychologist, Physical Therapy, Biofeedback and occasionally Oral Surgeons. Other Medical specialties may sometimes be needed

TMJ stands for Temporo Mandibular Joint.

Problems with the joint show up most often in the Teeth Muscles Joints or a combination.

The TM joints are located directly in front of your ears. If you place your finger tips about 1/4 inch in front of your ear opening and open you mouth,.you’ll feel the TMJ move under your finger tips. This joint moves in a very unusual manner, first it simply hinges open (like most all the other joints in your body), then it glides forward and down (unlike any other joint) to complete its full cycle in addition there are 2 joints connected and moving together

The way our muscles, teeth and joint work together is extremely complicated; the TMJ is the most complicated joint in your body. No other joint you have moves in such complex ways as the TMJoints. The TM Joints are the only joint in your body where the right and left side connected?

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