Every year brings with it the acknowledgment that though we have the knowledge and treatment strategies to help many patients who are suffering, we can often fall short of our expectations. Last year I encountered a handful of patients with connective tissue disorders that were responsible for their persistent jaw and orofacial pain complaints. I want to share the case … [Read more...] about Two TMD Case Studies – Connective Tissue Disorders
Caring For The Patient With A Sleep Breathing Disorder
For those of you involved in the treatment of patients with sleep breathing disorders inclusive of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), there has been a great deal of activity on the research front to support our optimism that Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) are truly a viable alternative to PAP (positive airway pressure). To reference some of these studies, a useful read … [Read more...] about Caring For The Patient With A Sleep Breathing Disorder
Sleep Bruxism—What To Consider
Each month I see a consistent number of patients with Sleep Bruxism who self-report, have a provider diagnosis, or both. What’s fascinating is that they report a variable list and severity of morning symptoms due to the same thing: grinding or clenching their teeth during the sleeping hours. What’s even more fascinating is there are countless people out there who also grind … [Read more...] about Sleep Bruxism—What To Consider
Stubborn Inflammation In The TMJs – 3 Types Of Patients
Whether it is in the internal organs, brain, muscles, or joints - dealing with persistent inflammation is an ongoing problem. Once inflammation is invested in the TMJs, neck, or jaw muscles, it often defines pain and suffering for the orofacial pain sufferer for extended periods of time. Although inflammation is the initial step in the healing process unless the source of … [Read more...] about Stubborn Inflammation In The TMJs – 3 Types Of Patients
The Returning TMJ Patient
In an orofacial pain practice where many patients have TMJ problems, it is not uncommon for a former patient to return for evaluation and treatment often many years later. At times the returning symptoms share a similar profile to what was managed earlier, and evaluation and treatment proceed down a familiar pathway. Less frequently a patient returns and the symptoms that … [Read more...] about The Returning TMJ Patient