The purpose of Phase I is to eliminate muscle spasms, TMJ swelling, bruxism (grinding of the teeth) and any dislocation, and generally reduce any type of pain. This treatment usually includes the use of the TMJ appliance (mouth splint), exercises, medication, different therapy, and natural muscles relaxants, and Micro-light Cold Laser Treatments (ML830) to relieve TMJ pain. The ML830 ia a non-invasive, non-thermal laser, capable of penetrating deep into tissue. It is one of the most fascinatingnew healing advances, and is FDA CLEARED to treat and manage TMJD pain, muscle and joint pain relief.
The purpose of Phase I therapy is to definitively correct any discrepancies, if necessary, between the upper and lower jaws. Phase 1 therapy may include adjustments of the TMJ joint, orthodontics, surgery or a combination of treatments. It is important to note that Phase II therapy should not be attempted without successful Phase 1 treatment.
Phase I Therapy is usually composed of three types of treatment, all aimed at reducing or eliminating muscle and joint pain.
Therapy No.1
The use of an intra-oral splint (The TMJ Appliance). The TMJ appliance is a computer designed intra oral device that fits most adult mouths without adjusting. It is specifically designed to assist in the treatments of TMJ disorders. The TMJ appliance has been designed by Australian Dentist Dr. Chris Farrell, in response to the need for a low cost intra-oral splint that could be implemented by health care providers, as well as dentists, for the many patients who present with symptoms of TMJ disorders. It is specifically designed to assist in treatments of TMJ disorder. No molding, adjusting or custom fitting is required.
Therapy No. 2
The use of different modes of treatment to reduce muscle and nerve pain. This is a special natural pain relief supplement called (SERENITOL). Proven effective in reducing the reversing the effect if Sleep Apnea, Bruxism, nightly TMJ dysfunction, insomnia, Anxiety Neurosis, Chronic Fatigue and other sleep related disorders. Use of Serenitol, used properly and conservatively is very benefical.
Therapy No.3
The use of Micro-Light Cold Laser Therapy. The ML830 is a non-thermal laser capable of penetrating deep into tissue.
FDA CLEARED to treat and manage TMJD pain, muscle and joint pain relief, the ML830 Laser is also used to treat
carpal tunnel syndrome at our office.
One of the most fascinating and used healing advances is the ML830 low level laser. We are pleased to announce that the ML830 laser has received clearance for the treatment of TMJD and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Laser therapy has been successfully used around the world for over 25 years, with no reported long-term or irreversible side effect. TMJD sufferers are now free to seek relief from TMJ jaw pain through a new non-invasive form of therapy before resorting to surgery. We have had excellent results using the non-thermal laser to relieve pain and promote healing of the painful tissue.
Phase I therapy is considered reversible. In other words, if treatment of phase 1 therapy is discontinued, no detrimental changes will have occurred. If the patient sees no improvement, then they are no worse off than before they began treatment.
PHASE II THERAPY
Phase II therapy----By the time Phase II therapy is begun ( except surgery), the patient should be experiencing few if any symptoms. If relief cannot be achieved with Phase I therapy, then proceeding to Phase II will only waste time and money in our opinion.
Phase II treatments consist of adjustment of the dental occlusion, Orthodontic treatment, reconstruction of the teeth, dentures, surgery.
As with back surgeries, a large percentage of TMJ surgeries are failures. I am not an expert with all the modalities in Phase II, but in our clinical practice, I recommend aggressive TMJ surgery only after the following four criteria are satisfied.
No.1 First, all conservative treatment was a failure.
No.2 Second, there has to be demonstrable physical or structural explanation of the patients complaints. Physical problems can be seen with MRI, x-rays or dye injected into the joint.
No.3 Third, patients must be suffering so much they must take strong pain medication, and their life style is greatly altered.
No.4 Fourth, before TMJ surgery is considered I suggest the patient get several opinions from qualified dental surgeons before under going TMJ surgery, because there are facial nerves, ligaments, blood vessels, TMJ joint disc, muscles, teeth. Once surgery is done it is final and non-reversible.
THE TMJ PROBLEM
For most people, the problem starts with TMJ pain or with headaches facial pain, neck and shoulder pain. The person either goes to their physician or their dentist for relief of pain. The dentist tells them they are grinding their teeth and the TMJ joint is deteriorating, and the physician tells them it’s stress related. There are several kinds of stress. Physical stress, chemical stress and emotional or mental stress. If the person is not strong and able to handle all the stress, then the patient will develop distress, and this can develop into some type of long term chronic illness. If it’s stress----which one is causing the TMJ pain? The dentist will tell the patient they do not specialize in TMJ treament and will suggest going to a dentist who treats TMJ problems.
The TMJ specialist will examine your jaw and make impressions of your teeth. The dentist will measure the movement of the joint and prescribe a custom mouth guard or splint and tell you to wear if for 24 hours a day for 6 months. Many times braces are recommended for a year or two. Some dentist will grind down your teeth thinking the bad bite is causing the pain. Most of the time the teeth is not what is causing the TMJD problem. The truth is that a misaligned TMJ is causing the bad bite, and not the teeth. Sometimes surgery to break the jaw and re-align the bite is even tried.
There are many web sites that explain what and how TMJ dysfunction pain affects the person, diagnosis, various treatment plans, but very few treatment plans give the patient sufferer any hope and expectancing for relief of TMJ pain. Lots of information, but they do not give the patient any treatment program that works.
Our approach is different. We have found that we can help 85% or higher of the patients with TMJ dysfunction, using a combination of corrective treatments of the TMJ joint and disc and the skull bones (which is a painless procedure), along with the TMJ appliance that the patient wears in his/her mouth, and the taking a product called Serenitol. Serenitol is a powerful, all-natural supplement that is specifically formulated to target the symptoms and underlying causes of many common chronic sleep related disorders. Serenitol is a hormonal balancer and helps maintain progesterone, DHEA and Melatonin levels while combing the healing and pain relieving effects needed for complete recovery.
Stop wasting your time and money on treatments that are not specifically for your condition and that don't work. Our treatments work with effective results, fast relief and that what counts.
Patients that come to our Clinic for hands on treatment by Dr. Donald G. Kimble get a through TMJ examination, a corrective TMJ joint adjustment, which is painless, fitted with the TMJ appliance, the proper RX for Serenitol, and treatment with ML 830 FDA Approved Cold Laser, which is the most fascinating and used healing advance in the Micro-low-level laser. The patients are getting fantastic results from relief of pain.
Please call our office, 803-327-6155, today, and set up an appointment with Dr. Donald G. Kimble.