Temporomandibular Disorder Case Study

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Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a diagnosis that is characterized by pain, clicking and/or crepitations in the temporomandibular joints that may or may not include limited mandibular mobility and tenderness of the preauricular and/or muscles of mastication. (5 p. 54) The cause of TMD can be attributed to a myriad of factors that fall within the realm of physiological or psychosocial etiologies. Often times, patients will experience symptoms of TMD due to “malocclusion and occlusional interference, alterations in the masticatory muscles, direct trauma to the jaw or [temporomandibular joint], microtrauma caused by continuous parafunctional habits or alterations secondary to stress.” (1 p. 15) Though TMD was mostly attributed to physiological …show more content…

‘A Collaborative Approach Between Chiropractic and Dentistry to Address Temporomandibular Dysfunction’ by Rubis, Rubis and Winchester found in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine is a case report that discusses the comanagement of a patient with TMD. In this case, a patient presented with typical symptomology of TMD: headaches; jaw, neck and shoulder pain along with clicking in the TMJ. Treatment by the chiropractor included: pelvic adjustments to correct their pelvic unleveling, thoracic and cervical spine adjustments to address the patient’s shoulder and neck pain. The patient also received manual therapy of their left TMJ where the chiropractor gapped the joint then proceeded to adjust the mandible to reposition the disc as well as myofascial release of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Comanagement by the dentist included a repositioning and night time splint for anterior repositioning of the mandible. After being treated three times per week for six weeks, the patient reported they no longer experience pain or clicking of their TMJ as well as no headaches or neck pain. This case report illustrated that dental and chiropractic comanagement was beneficial for short term treatment and pain resolution for this …show more content…

Anti-depressants may also be an alternative for those suffering from tension headaches or depression. The psychosocial aspect of TMD should be addressed with patients as their lifestyle may contribute to stress that can cause them to clench or grind their teeth. Bruxism is a cause of tension type headaches and reducing stress by means of counseling or anti-depressants may reduce stress and in turn they may no longer clenching and grinding contributing to their TMD. Treating anxiety and depression does not necessarily need to involve pharmaceuticals but perhaps cognitive behavioral therapy can help the patient address the main causes of stress and learn how to manage their lifestyle. Romeo-Reyes and Uyanik state that “patients have reported feeling less pain immediately after their initial patient education/counseling visit, perhaps as a consequence of an immediate reduction in stress/tension-related parafunctional activity.” (8 p.

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