If you’ve been told you have a temporomandibular disorder (TMD), or you suspect you have one, you may be thinking about treatment options and how you can get relief. But where do you start – and how do you know you’re getting the right treatment?
MedCenter TMJ understands that the information about TMD can be overwhelming, and we take the time to educate our patients about their specific case and what can be done to help. Before you make any treatment decisions for yourself, take a look at these tips for getting real relief and the best possible outcome:
Do: Look for Education and Experience
The pain from TMD can interfere with your well-being and make it difficult to carry on with daily activities. Don’t trust your jaw to just anyone. When you see a dentist about your TMJ issues, it’s wise to ask them about their education and experience in this area. At MedCenter TMJ, we have years of experience that can help our patients get solutions to their jaw and orofacial pain.
A quick review of Dr. Auvenshine’s dental education and experience shows his passion for, and dedication to, treating TMD:
- He founded the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and Facial Pain Clinic at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
- He has been an active member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain for 20 years, including his role as Past President and Diplomate.
- His private practice has been exclusively focused on orofacial pain and craniomandibular disorders since it began in 1978.
- He is board certified in orofacial pain and devotes all his time, skills, and expertise to helping his patients find relief from TMD problems.
Dr. Pettit also has been committed to craniomandibular disorders since very early in his dental training:
- During his 3 year residency in occlusal rehabilitation (Prosthodontics), Dr. Pettit decided to focus on orofacial pain and TMD, earning his master’s degree with research in myofascial pain.
- He headed the VA Prosthodontic Resident Myofascial Pain Clinic under Dr. Auvenshine’s direction.
- He has completed more than 200 hours of continuing education in the field of orofacial pain.
- He is a proud graduate of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain Mini-Residency program.
Don’t: Go Straight for Surgery
We believe that more conservative approaches to treating TMD should be tried first – and surgery should only be considered when other treatments fail. If you see a practitioner who recommends surgery right from the start, this is a red flag. Call the office at MedCenter TMJ to discuss all the possible options that may help you.
Do: Consider Stress and Lifestyle
A whole-body approach to treating TMD often yields the best results. Talk with us about stress management, sleep position, diet, and other factors that could help improve your TMJ pain.
Don’t: Just Cover the Symptoms
Many patients come to our office after taking painkillers for long periods of time. Painkillers alone won’t solve your underlying issue. They will only mask the symptoms temporarily. There are other solutions that will get to the root of your TMD problems, and we can help you discover them while treating your pain.
Our team at MedCenter TMJ can help you find the relief you need from TMD. Call us for an appointment today!
Original Source: https://www.medcentertmj.com/tmj-disorder-causes-treatments/dos-and-donts-for-tmd-treatment/