How to Treat the TMJ Patient

Advanced Technology and Non-Surgical Methodologies for Treatment of TMJ Pain

My fellow dentists,

We have all been to dental school and have learned basically the same principles and teachings that academia has to offer when it comes to TMJ therapy.

When I was in dental school at WVU, TMJ would make me cringe. All I learned was the anatomy of the joint. Treatment options were a combination of muscle relaxers, soft diet, and some sort of splint. This is how I managed the pain patient for the first eleven years of my practice, with little or no success. I didn't question my low success rate because I was following the principles that I was taught.

However, I was forced to find the answers due to a very important and special patient of mine, my dad. He had suffered for years with neck issues, severe migraines and pain that traditional methods did not alleviate. Once I relieved his pain and headaches using neuromuscular knowledge, I knew I had to continue on my journey of neuromuscular education.

The last fourteen years, I have learned a tremendous amount about TMJ, and have had great success. I have dedicated my practice to treating TMJ non-surgically and in a non-invasive manner, using neuromuscular methodologies and advanced technology.

The first consultation appointment is very in-depth. Approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours long, the consult consists of health history, medical history and physicians seen (neurologists, ENTs, chiropractors etc.), muscle palpating joint films, CT scans, patient photos and completion of the Signs and Symptoms form. From there, a treatment plan is developed with the patient, and with input from their own dentist.

If you have patients who are suffering with pain and are tired of "dealing" with the discomfort, please have them call my office for a thorough, in depth consultation and evaluation. Some of the technologies we utilize to diagnose and treat our patients include T-Scan, CT scan, jaw tracking, electromyography, joint sound recording, and myomonitors.

To learn more about how we can treat your patients' TMJ problems, we will be holding a few small and informal early evening presentations on TMJ treatment at our TMJ Center in Wexford. Please click here to indicate your interest in attending. A time and date will be announced.

If you would like to request referral pads for TMD symptoms, please feel free to contact our office via email or phone (724-934-3422).

Healthy Regards,

Alexandra S. George, DDS, LVIF