Does TMJ treatment work?

The vast majority of cases we treat are successfully managed through the use of orthotic appliances and/or a combination of orthotic appliance and physical therapy to reduce symptoms and accelerate healing.

Are all dentists similar in training and experience with treating TMJ?

No. It is advisable to research the training level and experience of your treating dentist to determine their success rate and skill level in the area of TMJ treatment. Dr. Henny has advanced training in the area of TMJ treatment through the Bethesda Naval Hospital, The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Study, and The Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study in addition to over 12 years of successfully treating TMJ disorders.

Can I just buy a mouth guard at the store and treat this problem myself?

This is generally not advisable. Self care with these non-adjustable devices can put additional strain on already damaged jaw joints. They may also cause an individual to grind their teeth even more at night and thus worsen the symptoms.

What happens to the 5% of patients who are not successfully treated via professionally designed appliances?

The vast majority of TMJ patients – perhaps in the 95% range – respond positively to non-surgical, "conservative" therapies. In a small number of cases, conservative therapies render no significant level of improvement.

In this group of patients, the amount of breakdown of the internal joint structures is so severe that they cannot achieve comfort or normal functioning without some level of surgical intervention.

TMJ surgery has a long history of mixed outcomes, but has advanced significantly. Dr. Mark Piper has been successfully providing TMJ surgery solutions for over 25 years with over 20,000 documented successful cases. To learn more about Mark Piper, MD, DMD, and his work visit: www.piperclinic.com