The term Temoromandibular Disorders (TMD) incorporates problems associated with the occlusion (bite), the jaw joints and jaw muscles. They are very common in the population but are often not recognised. The treatment can be complex but is successful in the overwhelming number of patients.
Common symptoms are pain in the face, pain in front of the ear that often mimics earache, clicking or grating sounds from the jaw joint, restriction of jaw movement and difficulty with chewing.
Many patients may be unaware of subconscious habits such as tooth grinding or clenching which can cause many of the above symptoms. problems such as these can be distressing and often affect day to day life. Our object is to provide the patient with a balanced overview and treatment plan that is based on sound clinical evidence.
There is no 'one treatment cures all' approach in the management of TMD. Treatment is 'patient based' rather than 'condition based' and what might be appropriate for one person might not be for another. Usually me employ we emply a combination of treatment options including; advice and reassurance to make the patient aware of abnormal activities such as tooth grinding/clenching; medication such as anti-inflammatories/muscle relaxants; physiotherapy such as Megapulse or Ultrasound and also treatment with one of a variety of dental splints which are appliances that require very careful construction and monitoring. The overall success rate is high - in the region of 85%.
