Surgery is not always the answer for treating Temporomandibular Joint pain, or TMJ. If left untreated, TMJ can lead to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, which is a painful and progressive condition in which joint inflammation eats away at the cushioning, and sometimes the bone surrounding the Temporomandibular Joint.
Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Anthony Urbanek, says the common denominator in any joint pain, which includes the Temporomandibular Joint, is inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to damage, and inflammation is the real cause of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
Symptoms of TMD can include headache, earache, neck pain, jaw pain, dizziness and ringing and/or fullness in the ears. TMD requires the care of an oral surgeon since it’s medical problem, not a dental problem.
Last Monday, we revealed how Dr. Urbanek, who has been specializing in the treatment of Temporomandibular Joint problems for more than thirty years, discovered an innovative, and non-surgical treatment for TMJ and TMD pain. Click here for full story.
Dr. Urbanek says proper treatment for TMJ /TMD should be four things:
- Predictable
- Clinically Effective
- Cost Effective
- Safe
Dr. Urbanek’s ExplainMyPain medical device (patent pending), meets each of these requirements. It’s a splint that’s designed to take the pressure off the back teeth, and off the Temporomandibular Joint. The back teeth are the areas where stress, damage and inflammation to the Temporomandibular Joint occur.
Dr. Urbanek’s ExplainMyPain device is made of non-porous acrylic and only allows only the front teeth to touch, leaving a small space between the back teeth. Ninety percent of the joint load comes through the back teeth, which is why this is a crucial area. By creating this space, the patient is no longer able to put pressure on the joint, which relieves the inflammation in the TMJ. Once the inflammation is relieved, the symptoms of TMJ/TMD fade as well.
According to Dr. Urbanek, of the 1,000 patients who have used his ExplainMyPain device, on average, 70 percent of them say their TMJ symptoms are gone within the first three weeks; while 96 percent say their symptoms are gone after four months.
Dr. Urbanek’s ExplainMyPain device is a splint that looks similar to a retainer. It’s custom made, comfortable and discreet. As pain relief is achieved over time, the patient may begin to wear the device only at night, while sleeping. To see more about Dr. Urbanek’s ExplainMyPain splint, click here.
Look for next week’s article when we discuss the difference between Dr. Urbanek’s ExplainMyPain device and a regular dental splint.
Dr. Urbanek’s offices are located in Franklin, TN.
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