Download TMJ Brochure - OralSurgeryServices.net

Oral Surgery Services offers a
comfortable atmosphere with
technical expertise. Drs. Walters,
Smith and Ferguson are
Board Certified in Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery and are
highly experienced in the
administration of office
anesthesia. Our facility is a
professional environment which
protects privacy, while providing
warm, personalized treatment.
Each member of our staff is willing
to assist patients with questions/concerns,
scheduling, and patient care.
Our two locations are both equipped with
state of the art technology.
PAUL J. WALTERS, DDS
DEMARCUS D. SMITH, DDS
MICHAEL G. FERGUSON, DDS, MD
Our Offices:
4420 Conlin St.
Suite 203
Metairie, LA 70006
(504) 455-9960
250 Meadowcrest St.
Suite 104
Gretna, LA 70056
(504) 433-4455
Visit our website
www.oralsurgeryservices.net
for secure patient registration and
directions to our office.
Payment Options are Available
Through:
www.HealthCard.citicards.com
www.CareCredit.com
All major credit cards accepted.
Panorex and 3D units on site.
Our insurance
coordinators are available for
any additional information.
TMJ
Treatments
Phase 1 Treatment
Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation
Rest: Is obtained by avoiding foods requiring chewing.
(Avoid gum, and keep the diet tender and soft).
Ice:
A tender, sore TMJ (joint) is treated by rubbing ice
(\water frozen in a Styrofoam cup) over the joint for
20 minutes 3 times per day. (Ice is used over the
joint and if muscle problems are predominant heat
may be suggested)
Phase 2 Treatment
Occlusal management with dental splints
Frequently life stressing can cause sleep restlessness and
it is common to clench or brux (grind) the teeth during these
times. Exams, life changes, relationship changes, job
changes, peer pressure in teenage years, or any form of
increased emotional load that all people experience
cyclically can trigger this clenching. Some people are more
vulnerable to develop symptoms particularly those that
have an imbalance in the way the teeth mesh together.
Any imbalance in the bite produces an uneven load on the
muscles and joint causing symptoms of pain and even joint
noise. Correction of the bite is essential in the treatment.
· Arthrocenthesis – flushing out the joint
· Arthroscopic surgery
· Arthroplasty
Surgery is only indicated when splints, physical therapy,
medications and conservative treatments are not helpful.
Unless the bite problems are corrected they will recreate
the problem post surgery – it is far better to get the bite
issues corrected prior to any other treatments

Nocturnal Bruxing:
· Steroid injections
to ,not the oral surgeon. The purpose of the splint is to
temporarily “correct” the problems in the bite that contribute or
cause the muscle and joint tenderness. The splint is made of
hard plastic and covers the chewing surface of the teeth.
Frequent adjustments are made until a comfort is attained.
Sometime as many as 5 or 6 adjustments are made while the
muscles are relaxing and the joint swelling is resolving.
occurs naturally.
Medications can include anti-inflammatory medications
and muscle relaxants
 Approximately 4 to 6 weeks of time is required to obtain
improvement. Strong pain medicines are avoided to
prevent dependence on addicting drugs to manage the
symptoms.
These represent a last resort measure
Splint therapy– is done by your dentist or a dentist he refers
Compression: is not used
Elevation:
Phase 3 Treatment
Once the dentist finds the comfortable position for your
jaw , he then plans to correct your bite permanently to
this comfortable jaw position by equilibration
(shaving the biting surface of the teeth to match the
opposing teeth better), building the teeth up
(restoration) or moving the teeth. (orthodontics)
Surgery is designed to help the joint be more functional or
comfortable – surgery will not make a joint normal – joint
noises are common after the surgery
Physical therapy
Factors influencing the outcome:
Physical therapy requires treatment approximately 3 times
per week for 2 or 3 weeks, and consists of exercises and
treatments. More effective on muscular problems and treats
the face, TMJ, neck, and shoulders This may require a
referral by your primary care physician for insurance
reasons.
Inadequate dental follow-up
Bruxing (tooth grinding) – affected by stress or sleep
disorder
 Inadequate exercise (rehabilitation therapy)

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