T.M.J. Syndrome

NO Live Links!!!

2005-11-27T11:21:00.000-08:00

Professor, This is the Blogger that has no LIve Links.

www.clenchingsyndrome.com

2005-11-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

Major Website Review Posted by Sylvia Rodrigues This is a major website and it was posted by Louis O. Thomas DDS who is the author of "The Balanced Jaw Concept". A broad overview of Occlusomusclar Disorders which is a dysfuctional problem affecting muscles is given in this website. The website states that TMJ is a disorder manifested by headaches,toothaches,jaw aches, and other painful symptoms. This website focus on TMJ as a clenching of the teeth as an unconscious act that is related to the unconscious mind. The website explains how we use clenching as a defense mechanism between unconscious and conscious mind to keep us mentally healthy. The website states that TMJ symptoms can be treated by balancing the jaw, and establishing a proper relationship with conscious and unconscious mind. Dr. Thomas believes that the only way the jaw can be balanced is by using the Tanner method, which was created by DR. Henry Tanner. Tanner developed a biting appliance so patients could wear at night to reduce clenching. This website describes how different types of treatments vary according to TMJ condition and symptoms, because some TMJ suffers only have episodes of TMJ pain because of heavy clenching, but the pain will go away with anti-inflammatory medications. Others will have on-going pain that occurs often, and medications will not ease the pain. "Balancing the Jaw" is the best treatment according to this website. Since most people clench in centric(when jaw is closed)the primary reason they get muscle pain in the head and neck is due to muscle overuse during clenching, which causes muscles to become spastic and painful, which simulate headaches, migraines,neck aches, and earaches. I think one of the major strengths of this website is how DR.Thomas explains how clenching is not recognized as a cause for dental and TMJ problems by the America Dental association. Another strength of the website is that he lists links to other informational websites. One of the weaknesses that I found is that he did not explain the Tanner's method that well and he did not provide any examples or patient case studies to prove his point. This topic relates to Anatomy and Physiology because many people clench their jaw under stressful situations Example: studying for biology exams, which causes headaches, migraines, and neck aches. Another Example: getting your exam back can cause major clenching.

www.tmj.org

2005-10-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

Major Website Review Posted By Sylvia Rodrigues This website is put out by the TMJ association which is a non-profit organization that provides information about TMJ diseases and disorders. The association puts out this information as a guide so that TMJ suffers, doctors,dentists, nurses, and other health care professionals can be aware of the disorder, its cause, symptoms, and treatments. This website explains the anatomy of TMJ joints and shows how the TMJ jaw joints work. There is one in front of each ear, that connect the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. The joints allows for movement up and down, side to side, and forward and back, which are all necessary for biting,chewing, swallowing food, speaking, and making facial expressions.

The National institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research state that over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems, but the majority of those seeking treatment are women in their childbearing years. The website explains how TMJ disorder occurs, when there is pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues that limit jaw movements, and how facial injuries and also arthritis can affect the temporomandibular joint. The website also states some causes and contributing factors of TMJ disorder are injuries to the jaw, arthritis, dental procedures, genetics, hormones,low-level infections, auto-immune diseases, and clenching and grinding of the teeth.

The TMJ Association states that there are many symptoms of TMJ disorder but the most common is pain. "TMJ pain is often described as a dull aching pain in the jaw joint and near by areas, including the ear, which comes and goes." The website also states that some people do not experience any pain but have problems using their jaw, and have other symptoms such as:

Being unable to open their mouth comfortable
Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint
Locking of the jaw when attempting to open the mouth
Headaches
A bite that feels uncomfortable or "off"
Neck, shoulder and back pain
Swelling on the side of the face
Ringing in the ears
Ear pain
Decreased Hearing
Dizziness and Vision problems

The TMJ association believes that many people with TMJ problems will get better without any treatment, but unfortunately many treatments are based largely on beliefs and are not grounded in thorough scientific research. As a result, some patients are made worse by these treatments.

The TMJ association states that the purpose of the information provided throughtout the website is for informational purposes only, so users can formulate questions and assess the scientific validity of treatments that are being recommended to them. The website provides publications, scientific research,resources where you can go for help and receive answers to your questions, and links to other websites which provide further information.

The strengths of the website is that it is easy to read and follow and it also allows you to do your own searches related to TMJ. The website also allows you to ask questions about the disorder and provides support contacts so you can contact other TMJ suffers.

TMJ disorder relates to Anatomy because many of the TMJ symptoms occur within the facial, head, and neck region of the body. The Physiology of TMJ is a lot harder to explain because TMJ symptoms are hard to detect, and there is currently no evidence that such a condition can be prevented.

2005-09-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

www.clenchingsyndrome.com www.tmj.org Posted by Sylvia Rodrigues

2005-09-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

http://www.thecountrydoctor.com/prescriptions/tmjsyndrome.htm

2005-09-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.coolnurse.com/tmj.htm

Welcome to our blog

2005-09-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

">Hello everybody! This is our blog where we're going to be posting information about our topic, TMJ Syndrome (Temporo-Mandibular Joint Syndrome). Thanks for checking us today, we'll see you all soon. Martha, Sylvia, and Asatou