Does your jaw hurt?
Do you have pain when you chew?
Do you have recurring headaches or chronic neck pain?
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While there is no true recognized specialty of dentistry in TMJ management, Dr. Caughey, your TMJ Specialist, is specially trained in creating an accurate diagnosis and in selecting the correct specific treatment of TMJ Dysfunction and bite malocclusion.
The term TMD covers a broad range of dysfunctions and disorders of the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ), aka the jaw joint. While 70% of damaged jaw joints will adapt favorably without therapy, the poor adaptation for the other 30% can cause pain, changes in the bite, difficulty chewing and more. The TMJ is evaluated on four basic criteria:
EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Comfort
- Movement
- Mechanical stability
- Structural stability
When one or more of these factors are out of harmony, the likelihood that the TMJ is actively breaking down and adapting unfavorably increases and warrants more investigation to assess the condition. Dr. Caughey’s comprehensive evaluation for patients with TMJ Dysfunction may include:
COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION
- Detailed clinical exam, including muscle testing, range of motion studies
- Occlusal analysis–a study of how the teeth rub against each other
- Mounted study models and diagnostic photographs
- Computerized bite analysis using the T-Scan technology
- Evaluation of joint noise using the JVA (joint vibration analysis) device
- CBCT X-ray of the bones of the face and jaw**
- MRI of the soft tissue, muscles and cartilages of the face and jaw**
**Referred out to Diagnostic Imaging of Atlanta
So often, patients with long-standing TMJ pain and dysfunction have been put on a soft diet (to avoid the difficulty of chewing) and have lost a fair amount of their masseter (chewing muscles) muscle mass. Once the TMJ joint itself has been reduced in swelling and pain, the function of chewing again absolutely must be rehabilitated. One way we help patients ease back into chewing is by using a Myomunchee oral trainer. These are fairly inexpensive appliances that pack a major punch toward returning a patient to function. Check their website out! https://myomunchee.com/about/.
Other ways we use the Myomunchee can be found on the link https://caugheydds.com/category/oral-trainers/.
See Case Studies
For more information about TMJ Diagnosis and Treatment, see caugheydds.com/category/tmj-bite-therapy-info
If you’re looking for a TMJ Specialist and are located in Atlanta or the surrounding area, please give Dr Caughey a call at 770-393-9201.