Living With TMD
All News
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Mar 27, 2020
I am pleased to announce the release of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report, Temporomandibular Disorders: Priorities for Research and Care. As underscored by the comprehensive report, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs) are a diverse and still poorly understood set of complex, painful conditions affecting the jaw muscles and tissues, temporomandibular joints, and associated nerves. Clearly, there is much more to be understood, and these conditions continue to confound medical and dental health care providers and researchers.
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Mar 20, 2020
With support from the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine appointed a committee to address the current state of knowledge regarding TMD research, education and training, safety and efficacy of clinical treatments, and associated burden and costs.
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Mar 10, 2020
The Film. Dark Waters is about attorney Robert Billott's real-life 20 year legal battle against DuPont chemical for releasing toxic waste - perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA - into Parkersburg, West Virginia's water supply, with devastating health effects on the townspeople and livestock. PFOA, also known as C8, is a man-made chemical. It is used in the process of making Teflon and similar chemicals known as fluorotelomers.
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Nov 21, 2019
Online TMD Diet Diary Research Project The TMJ Association received the following request from Professor Justin Durham and his research team at Newcastle University. We encourage TMJ patients to participate in this project as it is an under researched
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Oct 9, 2019
The authors of this article state that orofacial movement disorders (bruxism) are treated typically by dental professionals and not by those specialists (neurologists) researching and treating the other movement disorders (Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, tremors, etc.). Again, this is more evidence of the complexity of TMD and the need for multidisciplinary research and treatment in TMD.
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Oct 5, 2019
To analyze cervical tenderness scores (CTS) in patients with various temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and in controls and to examine associations of CTS with demographic and clinical parameters.
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Oct 4, 2019
The esophagus is a roughly ten-inch hollow tube that descends from your throat through the diaphragm into the stomach. Normally, it is a one-way street transporting food you swallow to the stomach for digestion. But in GERD— Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease— the flow can reverse so that stomach contents (including gastric acids) are regurgitated upwards to cause a burning sensation (heartburn), nausea, pain and other distressing symptoms.
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Aug 23, 2019
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Study on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) is well underway. We strongly encourage everyone affected by TMD to write to the NAM committee letting them know what it is like to live with TMD and your experiences with getting care.
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Aug 20, 2019
The Chronic Pain Research Alliance, an initiative of The TMJ Association, in partnership with the International Pelvic Pain Society, is pleased to announce the release of our newly developed Continuing Medical Education (CME) program on Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions.
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Jun 21, 2019
At the end of the NAM meeting, Dr. Gregory Ness, representing the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAMOS) gave the following comments: “AAMOS welcomes the interest and support of the Academies, the NIH, NIDCR, FDA and The
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Jun 20, 2019
Allen Cowley addressed the second open-to-the-public meeting of the National Institute of Medicine's (NAM) Committee on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) held on March 28, 2019 in Washington, DC. No stranger to the world of TMD, Dr. Cowley is the hus
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Jun 13, 2019
It is hardly surprising that the chronic pain and limitations in function that many long-time TMJ patients experience can be accompanied by a state of depression, a sense of exhaustion and hopelessness.
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Jun 13, 2019
The National Academy of Medicine's (NAM) Committee on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD): From Research Discoveries to Clinical Treatment is hosting two public web conferences on Wednesday, June 19 and Wednesday, July 31. Webinar 1: Pati
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Jun 12, 2019
At the March 28, 2019 public meeting NAM committee members had a chance to hear from TMD patients who had submitted testimony for the record.
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Apr 26, 2019
To investigate whether chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients showed any changes in swallowing compared to a control group. Moreover, it was examined whether swallowing variables and a valid clinic measure of orofacial myofunctional status were associated.
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Apr 25, 2019
We have reported previously about the decision of the prestigious National Academy of Medicine (NAM) to convene a committee of experts to examine all aspects of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
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Apr 22, 2019
To understand this possible connection, you have to consider how blood pressure is normally controlled by the nervous system.
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Mar 6, 2019
Public Workshop Committee on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD): From Research Discoveries to Clinical Treatment
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Mar 1, 2019
An ad hoc committee, under the auspices of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Health and Medicine Division, has been convened to study temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a project entitled From Research Discoveries to Clinical Treatment.
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Feb 26, 2019
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the leading cause of chronic orofacial pain. They represent a type of "idiopathic" pain disorder, meaning that the cause or causes are unknown, but research over the decade suggests a genetic component contributing to susceptibility.
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Jan 18, 2019
The first meeting of the National Academy of Medicine Committee on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD): From Research Discoveries to Clinical Treatment will be held Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at the National Academy of Sciences building in Washington, D.C.&
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Jan 16, 2019
The Trial of the Class Action brought by Canadian patients who were implanted with Vitek Proplast TMJ implants, against Health Canada, alleging negligent regulation starts on April 1, 2019 in Toronto.
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Jan 1, 2019
The following article by Roger B. Fillingim, Gary D. Slade, Joel D. Greenspan, Ronald Dubner, William Maixner, Eric Bair, and Richard Ohrbach was published in the journal of Pain, November 2018. We are grateful to Dr. Fillingim for writing the following
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Nov 21, 2018
We want you to be among the first to know that because of the advocacy efforts of The TMJ Association, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) will conduct a first-ever study on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).
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Nov 19, 2018
Fear of the dentist is practically a rite of passage in youth. Growing up, I wasn't exactly afraid of the dentist; rather, any excuse to leave school early was a powerful incentive. These days, I have a more complicated relationship with dentistry: I go to get answers and try to feel better, but I always pop a prophylactic ibuprofen or two in case my jaw protests from the oral gymnastics.
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Oct 3, 2018
Are you a woman with "TMJ" pain in facial muscles, who has either: a. recently had Botox© injections for your pain or b. not had Botox© for your pain but has thought about such treatment? If either is true for you, you may qualify for an observational research study centrally administered by the NYU College of Dentistry. It is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The purpose of this study is to understand potential health risks that may be caused by treating "TMJ pain" with Botox© injections.
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Sep 20, 2018
It is still all too fresh in the minds of many patients. Fifty years ago, between the 1970s and 1980s, some 10,000 TMJ patients received Vitek jaw implant devices.
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Aug 29, 2018
The NIH Common Fund's Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures program aims to understand the biological characteristics underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain and what makes some people susceptible and others resilient to the development of chronic pain.
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Aug 28, 2018
FDA Public Meeting on Patient-Focused Drug Development for Chronic Pain On July 9, 2018, FDA hosted a public meeting on Patient-Focused Drug Development for Chronic Pain. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/05/15/2018-10284/patient-focused-
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Jul 18, 2018
We were recently contacted by Tom P. who informed us that he was including The TMJ Association (TMJA), in his financial planning. Tom wrote the following for us to share with our readers:
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Jul 14, 2018
Let's say the National Institutes of Health just handed us a multi-million dollar grant to get to the bottom of TMD and find a cure once and for all. I mean, we could start handing out heating pads left and right, but that kind of relief can only get us so far. Whenever I try a different form of therapy or medication, I like to think about the biology, right down to the cellular and molecular level. Why are the cells that make up my jaw region being such jerks?
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Jun 12, 2018
The TMJ Association is pleased to partner with Inspire to bring you the TMJ Cafe, a free online support network and discussion community for those with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). We invite you to meet others like you, share experiences and tips for getting through the day, and give and receive support.
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May 31, 2018
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a set of heterogeneous musculoskeletal conditions involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or the masticatory muscles. Up to 33% of the population has had at least one symptom of TMD with 5-10% of them requiring treatment. Common symptoms include limited jaw movement, joint sound, and pain in the orofacial area. Once TMD becomes chronic, it can be debilitating with comorbidities that greatly reduce one's overall quality of life. However, the underlying mechanism of TMD is unclear due to the multicausative nature of the disease.
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May 30, 2018
Sjӧgren's Syndrome seems to play a role in temporomandibular joint disorders.
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May 29, 2018
The Botox-injected masseters had greatly increased expression of genes involved in muscle atrophy at the 1 week time point compared to the control side muscles. At the end of the study, 2 weeks after injection, the Botox-injected masseters were about 20% smaller than the control side masseters, and the Botox-side condyles had lost about 40% of relative bone area compared to the control side condyles.
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May 15, 2018
We are pleased to introduce Sophia Stone, a new contributor to The TMJ Association, whose passion is to separate TMD fact from TMD fiction. Sophia has a background in medicine and research and can draw on her personal experience as a TMD patient.
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Apr 20, 2018
A study in the International Journal of Dental Research reporting the latest update on Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) noted two thirds of BMS patients also had Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).
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Apr 19, 2018
Scientists in the USC Stem Cell laboratory of Gage Crump have revealed how key genes guide the development of the jaw in zebrafish. These findings may offer clues for understanding craniofacial anomalies in human patients, who sometimes carry a mutation in equivalent genes.
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Apr 17, 2018
Terrie Cowley, Co-Founder and President of The TMJ Association, often remarks that patients tell her that the pain they feel in their jaws is worse than pain elsewhere in the body.
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Mar 31, 2018
On February 26, TMJA staff participated in the Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Patient Advocacy Council (PAC), an umbrella group comprising non-profit organizations that work together to advance dental, oral,
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Feb 14, 2018
Fibromyalgia is one of the overlapping pain conditions with TMD. This article appeared in Fibromyalgia News Today on January 15, 2018. A new study suggests a hyperreactive brain network may be the underlying cause of chronic pain in fibromyalgia.
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Feb 14, 2018
There may be a correlation between dry eye and chronic pain in the US military veteran population as is evident by a recent study. Ocular pain was most strongly associated with headaches, tension headaches, migraines, temporomandibular joint disorders, pelvic pain, central pain syndrome, and fibromyalgia in the veteran patient population.
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Dec 14, 2017
Hate headaches? The distress you feel is not all in your -- well, head. People consistently rate pain of the head, face, eyeballs, ears and teeth as more disruptive, and more emotionally draining, than pain elsewhere in the body.
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Dec 9, 2017
There has long been as association between migraine headaches and vascular (blood vessel) dysfunction of some kind, underscored by epidemiological studies and other research. New evidence for a genetic connection now comes from the analysis of several large data sets of each condition based on Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS).
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Dec 8, 2017
In a recent study, researchers found that patients with chronic migraines which usually occur for more than 15 days a month are likely to experience three times more severe symptoms of Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) than patients with an episodic migraine.
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Dec 6, 2017
It's a ringing sound, a buzzing, a hiss.... It can be soft or loud, intermittent or present all the time, affecting one ear or both. In whatever way it affects you, it's damned annoying, unpleasant, distracting. Indeed, it is considered the worst problem affecting human beings after pain and dizziness.
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Oct 5, 2017
The authors of this study examined mandibular bone before and after subjects received Botox injections into each masseter muscle. These volunteers were healthy adults (22-48 years old), both male and female, who wanted injections to slim their faces.
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Oct 3, 2017
The Washington Post recently featured an article on Temporomandibular Disorders. Below is an excerpt from that article and a link to the full story.
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Oct 2, 2017
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) held three meetings this summer with the goal of developing the first public-private partnership (PPP) to develop safe and effective treatments for chronic pain, as well as new treatments for opioid addiction and overdose.
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Aug 24, 2017
The TMJ Association is acting as the catalyst to develop the TMJ Patient RoundTable, a broad initiative to advance the interests of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
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Jun 7, 2017
This brochure addresses what are Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions (COPCs), how COPCs are diagnosed, the complexity of the chronic pain experience, and how to work with your health care provider to develop a treatment plan. It is available by postal ma
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Jun 1, 2017
The TMJ Association has long championed the need for strong evidence-based demonstrations of the safety and efficacy of TMD diagnostics and treatments. Sad to say, as the following journal article indicates, even among a network of research-oriented practices, dental providers are still resorting to such TMD treatments as occlusal adjustments in which teeth are irreversibly moved, ground down, or in other ways altered, a treatment for which there is no scientific evidence of efficacy.
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Jun 1, 2017
We are currently in the peak season for Lyme disease. Each year at this time we highlight this topic because we have heard from a number of patients over the years who were misdiagnosed and underwent unnecessary TMD treatments when they actually had Lyme
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May 31, 2017
Our headline is adopting the comic strip convention of using symbols to denote swear words because we are intrigued by a report that swearing may have some health benefits.
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May 30, 2017
Opioids are increasingly used for treatment of chronic pain. However, they are only effective in a subset of patients and have multiple side effects. Thus, studies using biomarkers for response are highly warranted.
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May 29, 2017
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) announced two new cooperative agreements aimed at developing resources and strategies for regenerating dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) tissues that have been damaged by disease or injury.
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May 29, 2017
This brochure addresses what are Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions (COPCs), how COPCs are diagnosed, the complexity of the chronic pain experience, and how to work with your health care provider to develop a treatment plan.
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May 28, 2017
This career development and grant mentoring program is open to promising junior faculty, senior fellows or post-doctoral researchers nominated by their department or division chairs seeking to pursue a career in clinical or basic research.
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Mar 6, 2017
Last year we shared with you a study in which investigators found patients with more severe and chronic TMD are likely to experience other persistent pain conditions in other parts of the body, seemingly unrelated to problems in the jaw or face. Yet patients often do not mention these "overlapping" or "comorbid" pain conditions when they see a dentist or health care provider.
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Mar 4, 2017
The aim of this study is to evaluate the distribution of the most common comorbid conditions associated with chronic temporomandibular disorders, and the pharmacological agents which play an integral role in the overall management of temporomandibular joint disorders. Abstract: INTROD
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Mar 1, 2017
Many dental practitioners continue to use radiographic or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as the sole means of establishing that there is a pathology present that requires treatment.
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Feb 28, 2017
Self-management (SM) programs in temporomandibular disease (TMD) are a core component of pain management of TMD throughout its course and are often given to patients as a first essential step after diagnosis.
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Dec 26, 2016
If you haven't done so already, please join me in making a year-end contribution to The TMJ Association (TMJA) in the honor of families like mine and yours who bravely battle this disease each and every day. Since my daughter, Alexandra, b
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Dec 17, 2016
The following article in Medscape refers to TMD and some of its overlapping pain conditions as functional pains and proposes to change that description. Medscape is the leading online resource for physicians and healthcare professionals worldwide, offeri
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Dec 16, 2016
TMD patients come in many different varieties. Some experience pain and dysfunction confined only to the jaw and/or the associated chewing muscles. Other TMD patients have jaw pain plus one or more other painful conditions elsewhere in the body. Scientis
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Dec 14, 2016
TMJA celebrated its 8th biennial scientific meeting this fall provocatively challenging scientists to answer, How Can Precision Medicine Be Applied to Temporomandibular Disorders and its Comorbidities?
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Oct 29, 2016
The following is a press release from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). This research was funded in part by NIBIB and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (DE 016525), both parts of the Natio
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Oct 26, 2016
Our 2016 TMJA online survey results show that 26% of respondents suffer from migraine headaches; they are one of the overlapping chronic pain conditions associated with TMD.
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Oct 13, 2016
The pain and jaw dysfunction associated with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) can impact your ability to chew and swallow food. How and what you are able to eat can seriously compromise your nutritional and health status - an aspect of TMD that is often
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Sep 23, 2016
If you are a government employee who understands the full impact of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) on individuals, their loved ones and society-at-large, please help us to continue to change the face of TMJ by designating The TMJ Association as your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity #12102.
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Sep 22, 2016
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Nursing asked us to post the following announcement on a research opportunity at the University of Maryland.
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Sep 22, 2016
In a survey the TMJA conducted of TMD patients, the most frequently used intervention (65% of respondents) was thermal therapy (hot or cold compresses) to the jaw; these were also found by 74% of the respondents to result in a reduction of symptoms.
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Sep 21, 2016
In 2011, the Institute of Medicine published a report documenting that at least 100 million U.S. adults-more than the number afflicted by heart disease, diabetes, and cancer combined-suffer from common chronic pain conditions that persist for ≥3 mo ("Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research,").
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Sep 20, 2016
In 2006, the OPPERA project (Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment) set out to identify risk factors for development of painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD). A decade later, this review summarizes its key findings.
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Sep 9, 2016
At the TMJ Association's Seventh Scientific Meeting, How Can Precision Medicine Be Applied to Temporomandibular Disorders and its Comorbities? , September 11-13, 2016, the Association recognized the following young investigators for their research in
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Jul 27, 2016
It has taken persistence and too much time, but on June 16th of this year your TMJ Association, working with the Food and Drug Administration, led the first-ever RoundTable bringing together all those concerned with TMJ implants...
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Jul 23, 2016
Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Dental School are looking for volunteers with widespread pain that includes jaw pain (TMD) to participate in a research study to investigate the effect of three different non-
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Jul 1, 2016
The Eighth Scientific Meeting of The TMJ Association - How Can Precision Medicine Be Applied to Temporomandibular Disorders and its Comorbidities? Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Bethesda, Maryland, September 11-13, 2016
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Jul 1, 2016
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Dentistry seeks to appoint a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Endodontics and in the Center for Pain Research and Innovation.
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Jun 1, 2016
In an eye-opening article to be published shortly in the journal Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology, authors Desai, Alkandari, and Laskin address the critical issue of the accuracy of information published on dental websites about the cause and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMJ/TMD).
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May 26, 2016
A recent article that appeared in Current Rheumatology Reviews by a Spanish and a Scandinavian author* underscores the complexity of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The authors note that these painful conditions have been discussed for over 70 years without reaching consensus on either their causes or treatment.
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May 1, 2016
There is nothing new about temporomandibular disorders (TMD), conditions of pain and dysfunction affecting the jaw joint and/or its associated muscles and tissues. Headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, and other orofacial pain (OFP) conditions have been around forever. There is nothing new about temporomandibular disorders (TMD), conditions of pain and dysfunction affecting the jaw joint and/or its associated muscles and tissues. Headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, and other o
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Apr 29, 2016
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the 2016 Annual NIH Pain Consortium Symposium to be held on May 31st and June 1st, 2016, NIH Campus, Natcher Auditorium, Bethesda, MD. The 2016 symposium, "Innovative Models and Methods," will highlight advanc
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Apr 5, 2016
Dr. Anne Sanders was kind enough to write the following synopsis of a recent study on sleep and TMD. A recent study of the OPPERA group reported in The Journal of Pain, sheds new light on the understanding of poor sleep in relation to painful TMD.
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Apr 1, 2016
After President Obama submits his budget to Congress, the work of Representatives and Senators begins. It is at this time that we tell our elected officials what YOU, TMJ patients, need to have addressed. The past two months have been busy ones outsid
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Mar 31, 2016
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released the National Pain Strategy, outlining the federal government's first coordinated plan for reducing the burden of chronic pain that affects millions of Americans. Developed by a diverse team of experts from around the nation, the National Pain Strategy is a road map toward achieving a system of care in which all people receive appropriate, high quality and evidence-based care for pain.
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Mar 29, 2016
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a consumer warning regarding several safety issues with the entire class of opioid pain medicines. The new safety risks include potentially harmful interactions with numerous other medications, problems with the adrenal glands, and decreased sex hormone levels. The FDA is requiring companies to make changes to the opioid medication labels warning consumers of these risks as described below.
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Mar 11, 2016
Increasingly, clinicians, research scientists like myself, and advocates at The TMJ Association are asked, "What about Botox® therapy for treatment of my painful muscles? Does it help?"
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Mar 10, 2016
A group of drugs being developed to treat mood disorders could also relieve chronic pain, finds new University College London (UCL) research funded by the Medical Research Council. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, reveals how a protein that shapes the body's response to stress also drives chronic pain and so offers new targets for future pain treatments.
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Mar 1, 2016
We know that many TMD patients also experience migraines and other headaches as overlapping pain conditions. The following is a summary of a news article from the January 8, 2016 edition of Science magazine by Emily Underwood. We found it informative and
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Feb 10, 2016
Cutting Edge - COPCs Research Advances, is a new electronic newsletter published by the Chronic Pain Research Alliance, an initiative of The TMJ Association. Developed to keep the medical-scientific community abreast of recent research advances, this pub
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Feb 5, 2016
The following article includes excerpts from a Missouri State University news article about the work of Dr. Paul Durham, who has participated in past TMJA scientific meetings. We are happy to share with you the progress his lab is making. "
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Jan 24, 2016
Currently, bills addressing opioid misuse, overdose and addiction are quickly moving through Congress. However, legislation proposed to date has failed to include a critical component - funding for vital pain research to elucidate the causes and mechanis
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Dec 31, 2015
My name is Jennifer Feldman, and I have suffered from TMJ dysfunction since age ten when I was in a car accident. All of my memories are attached to my condition. I remember sitting in waiting rooms for endless hours forming friendships with other patients who shared my pain.
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Dec 28, 2015
The TMJ Association was asked to post the following announcement regarding the University of Michigan's Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Orofacial Pain Interdisciplinary Consortium (UM-TOPICs) Career Development Grant - NIH/NIDCR K12DE023574.
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Dec 20, 2015
Increasingly over the past several years patients with temporomandibular total joint implants have been telling us that they have become sensitive to a material, or materials in the implants. The most common material they are sensitive to is nickel.
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Nov 30, 2015
Our latest issue of TMJ Science, which includes the summary and recommendations from our 7th scientific meeting--Genetic, Epigenetic, and Mechanistic Studies of Temporomandibular Disorders and Overlapping Pain Conditions--is now available.
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Nov 12, 2015
On June 30, 2015, the Food and Drug Administrations Center of Devices and Radiological Health sent a warning letter to the President of Nexus CMF...
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Nov 11, 2015
In a survey the TMJA conducted of TMD patients and published in the Clinical Journal of Pain, found the most frequently used intervention (65% of respondents) was thermal therapy (hot or cold compresses) to the jaw; these were also found by 74% of the respondents to results in a reduction of symptoms.
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Nov 11, 2015
The Fall Giving Season Is Upon Us If you are a government employee who understands the full impact of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) on individuals, their loved ones and society-at-large, please help us to continue to change the face
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Nov 10, 2015
The following article is from Vital Record News from Texas A&M Health Science Center Findings from researchers at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry could prove to upend previous dogma on bone formation in the temporomandib
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Nov 9, 2015
The United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) and Bone and Joint Canada are dedicated to increasing research of musculoskeletal diseases. The USBJI has developed a grant mentoring program to provide early-career investigators an opportu
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Oct 30, 2015
The Chronic Pain Research Alliance (CPRA), an initiative of TMJ Association, in collaboration with the U.S. Pain Foundation and the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, recently conducted a survey to assess how those living with chronic pain disorders, including temporomandibular disorders, feel about current pain research efforts
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Oct 14, 2015
The TMJ Association's last three scientific meetings have highlighted a paradigm shift in the way temporomandibular disorders are perceived and studied. They are now characterized as complex conditions like hypertension or diabetes, not limited to a dental or jaw problem in isolation.
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Sep 29, 2015
Patients who develop symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), face certain challenges when weighing the benefits and risks of new treatments. Because the TMD field is well known for having diverse opinions, different practitioners may offer a wide variety of treatment options for the same condition.
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Aug 27, 2015
The daily routine of brushing and flossing your teeth can be difficult when you suffer from Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). A study published in the Journal of Orofacial Pain states that patients felt their TMD symptoms made it difficult for them to do routine mouth care at home.
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Jul 31, 2015
From time to time, The TMJ Association has reported research findings indicating that one or another form of a gene is found more frequently in patients with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) than in non-patients, suggesting a role for genetic factors in
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Jun 15, 2015
Karen Raphael, PhD, a long-time TMD researcher now at the New York University College of Dentistry, has provided the following commentary on the Susan Herring Botox® article, along with information on her plans for clinical studies of TMD patients who have been treated with Botulinum Toxin for TMD Pain.
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Jun 10, 2015
An article published online in the journal Bone* by a team of French investigators confirms that injecting Botox® into jaw muscles leads to significant bone loss in adult rats.
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May 12, 2015
The OPPERA study has demonstrated that pelvic pain is moderately associated with Temporomandibualr Disorders. Given this relationship we are publicizing this new NIH research opportunity. The Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic P
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May 12, 2015
Its purpose is to expand contemporary, systematic research approaches to elucidate the role of immune system plasticity in health and in the pathogenesis of dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) diseases. The goal is to advance knowledge of the immunologi
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Apr 1, 2015
In general, women are more sensitive to pain than men, and a greater number of chronic pain syndromes are more prevalent in women, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
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Mar 30, 2015
When we read an article by Drs. Kevin Reid and Charles Greene on the ethics of TMD treatment in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, we thought the message was so important that we asked them to write on this topic for our readers.
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Feb 12, 2015
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research announced a new funding opportunity for scientists to conduct research on the Pharmacogenomics of Orofacial Pain Management (RO1) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DE-16-001.html&n
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Feb 5, 2015
The National Institutes of Health Brochure on TMJ Disorders states that stabilization splints are the most widely used treatments for TMJ disorders, however studies of their effectiveness in providing pain relief has been inconclusive.
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Feb 5, 2015
In September 2014, a meeting sponsored by the National Institutes of Health Pain Consortium was held to: Identify resources needed to enhance integration of existing data and optimize collection of data in the future to best advance research on ove
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Feb 5, 2015
For over 20 consecutive years, YOUR TMJA's advocacy efforts have resulted in Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Services Appropriations Subcommittee report language for TMD.
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Dec 18, 2014
We wish you and your family a joyous holiday season and healthy year ahead. Year's end is the time we reflect upon the past and look to the future. We are grateful for your moral and financial support that resulted in several impressive accomplishments in 2014.
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Nov 19, 2014
We need YOU! Only YOU can make Temporomandibular Disorders one of the 20 diseases to be selected by the Food and Drug Administration for a patient-focused meeting! Deadline: December 5, 2014
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Oct 23, 2014
On September 7-9, 2014 in Bethesda, Maryland, scientists, clinicians, and patients took part in our Seventh Scientific Meeting, Genetic, Epigenetic, and Mechanistic Studies of Temporomandibular Disorders and Overlapping Pain Conditions.
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Oct 23, 2014
The TMJ Association is the only patient advocacy organization fighting for the best science that will lead to greater understanding of Temporomandibular and related disorders and safe and effective treatments. We need YOUR help in these efforts. Pleas
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Oct 22, 2014
The DePuy Synthes Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) Distraction System is an implant used to lengthen and/or stabilize the lower jawbone (mandibular body) and the side of the lower jaw (ramus). This device is used in pediatric and adult patients to correct birth (congenital) or post-traumatic defects of the jaw by gradually lengthening the bone (distraction).
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Oct 22, 2014
Check Out These Two New Science Funding Opportunities Inspired by TMJA Advocacy 1. The Biology of the Temporomandibular Joint In our May 2013 issue of TMJ News Bites we reported that the NIH convened a round-table meeting to
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Jul 10, 2014
The National Institutes of Health re-established a cross-institute Pain Consortium about a decade ago to increase pain research and promote inter-institute collaboration. The consortium holds annual symposia and invites young investigators to submit post
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Jun 27, 2014
As TMJ patients search for alternative treatments to manage their pain, a doctor may have suggested the possibility of trying Botox injections directly into the chewing (masseter and temporalis) muscles to relax these muscles.
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Apr 30, 2014
Those who suffer from Temporomandibular Disorders also referred to as TMJ or TMD, may find it impossible to maintain the responsibilities associated with full-time work activity. Some of the symptoms associated with Temporomandibular Disorder, such as vertigo, light sensitivity, and severe pain in the neck, head, and ears, can make it impossible to earn an income. The resulting lack of income can lead to significant financial stress. Fortunately, in some cases, Social Security Disability benefits can help alleviate some of the financial strain associated with this condition.
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Apr 28, 2014
Especially during this past year, it’s been brought to our attention by a number of TMJ implant patients having their implants removed that their surgeon told them the devices MUST be returned to the manufacturer. We asked the Senate Health, Educat
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Apr 2, 2014
A recent posting on the TMJA website included the following request: "I wonder if you could include something in a future newsletter about the romantic/sexual side effects of TMD which I feel aren't talked about much but are pretty relevant."
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Apr 2, 2014
Last month we began our report on findings in OPPERA's Act Two, "the second series of analyses of data from the Orofacial Pain Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) study, which enrolled healthy volunteers at four campus sites..."
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Apr 2, 2014
Doctors recently reported case studies of patients with severe heart failure. In one case, medical examination ruled out coronary artery disease, but noticed some striking similarities between the patient's symptoms and those of a fictional patient in the TV series House...
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Apr 1, 2014
This month we present the last set of findings from “Act Two” of the Oral Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) study. [The Journal of Pain, Volume 14, Issue 12, Supplement, December 2013, pp. T1-T124.]
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Jan 28, 2014
Investigators analyzing the data collected in the long-running clinical study Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) have now published their findings comparing individuals, all of whom were TMD free at the start of the study
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Dec 20, 2013
For at least 50 years, most dentists have told their TMJ patients that grinding or clenching of their teeth is a major factor in the cause and persistence of their facial pain. Consequently, many patients accept this to be true. If a sleep partner tell
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Dec 6, 2013
Two articles in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery report: 1) a high number of metal allergies in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) patients needing total replacement of their TM joints and 2) one year follow-up data comparing patients with metal allergies treated with all titanium total joint replacements (considered non-allergenic) with non-allergic patients treated with standard cobalt-chromium replacements joints.
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Dec 6, 2013
Hypersensitivity to TMJ implant materials is an issue that we are frequently hearing from TMJ patients.
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Nov 8, 2013
Scientists conducted a systematic review published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation which looked at whether or not there is a relationship between TMD and head and cervical posture.
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Oct 10, 2013
Because pain is a subjective experience, patients are often asked to describe their pain in words. The result is a rich set of adjectives like sharp, dull, burning, and throbbing. In particular, a throbbing quality often describes pain that is severe a
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Oct 1, 2013
On May 3rd, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research sponsored a roundtable meeting on the biology of the temporomandibular joint, together with the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the Nationa
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Oct 1, 2013
Biobehavioral Pain Management in TMD Clinical Trial at Johns Hopkins Johns Hopkins Behavioral Research Medical Program in Baltimore, Maryland is conducting a clinical trial to look at how possible factors such as sleep disturbance and negative think
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Sep 24, 2013
In a well-argued review appearing in the leading science journal, Nature, investigators from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill suggest that both the diagnosis and treatment of TMD and other musculoskeletal pain conditions would benefit if hea
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Sep 4, 2013
Upon return from August recess, members of Congress will be debating the federal budget, debt ceiling, and sequestration. There are many ways you can speak up for yourself, for all sufferers of TMD, and for medical research as a whole: Contact your
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Aug 27, 2013
This is the 20th consecutive year that The TMJ Association advocacy efforts have resulted in report language. Report language tells agencies of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that elected officials are concerned about specific issues. This direc
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Aug 20, 2013
The TMJ Association (TMJA) is seeking candidates to serve on its Board of Directors. The TMJA aims to identify people with a passion and deep commitment to our mission−improve the quality of health care and lives of everyone affected by Temporom
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Aug 14, 2013
One of our readers recently brought to our attention a topic that arises occasionally from other TMD patients and we might add, their significant others-intimacy.
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Aug 14, 2013
This article deals with the question of whether the stabilization splint, which is commonly used for treating TMDs and bruxism, may pose a risk of worsening obstructive sleep apnea in patients with that condition. While a few earlier studies have touched
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Aug 10, 2013
Dear Friends of The TMJ Association, the most important investment that we make this coming year will be to advance TMJ science through our sixth scientific meeting, to be held in spring 2011, in the Washington, DC area. We are dedicated to promoti
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Aug 7, 2013
Patients should be cautious when considering TMD treatments that claim to provide relief by correcting occlusal and postural abnormalities. Not only can these treatments be extensive and expensive, but, more importantly, scientific literature does not su
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Jul 31, 2013
Each year we ask you to tell us what is on your mind regarding Temporomandibular Disorders and The TMJ Association's activities. This year your participation is exceptionally important, because in the coming months we will be meeting to discuss
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Jul 31, 2013
As many TMD patients know, it often hurts to bite down hard on foods, so they resort to a soft diet and less strenuous bite forces when their TMD pain kicks in. Now, a team of investigators led by Dr. Wolfgang Liedtke at Duke University Medical Center
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Jun 28, 2013
Dr. William Maixner and colleagues at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), School of Dentistry, currently involved in the multi-center Orofacial Pain Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) study of TMD, have taken a secon
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Jun 21, 2013
Dr. Barbara Reed, a professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, discusses the Michigan Woman-to-Woman Health Study and its findings. Temporomandibular disorders are one of the categories of pain conditions included in the stu
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Jun 9, 2013
One of the most active and productive research teams studying TMD is a group at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill led by William Maixner. Readers may recognize his name as the principal investigator for the OPPERA study to determine risk fa
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May 30, 2013
For many years the TMJA has asked agencies of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to convene a meeting to assess what we know about the TM joint and to determine gaps in our knowledge. On May 3, 2013, the NIH held a scientific round table of experts
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Apr 30, 2013
I have never known my mom without TMJD, and this gave me a unique childhood. In the 28 years I have been alive, I have never seen Mom pick up a heavy object, run, chew a piece of gum, or go for more than a few hours without lying down. I have seen her
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Apr 17, 2013
The chronic pain of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) can be debilitating and interfere significantly with daily life. Physical pain, whether from TMD or another condition, may also trigger emotional stress that can exacerbate symptoms, causing elevat
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Apr 17, 2013
In our March 2013 issue of TMJ News Bites we asked: "Do you notice any difference in the level of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) pain and discomfort you experience depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle?" Here is what you had to s
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Apr 17, 2013
Neuroscientists have long sought to explain how recovery from an acute injury can sometimes give rise to chronic pain—and not always in the area of injury. Now, a team at the Department of Neural and Pain Sciences at the University of Maryland, Bal
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Apr 17, 2013
It has been known for decades that the brain has its own pain-relieving chemicals. They are called endogenous “opioids,” because of their similarity to opium-derived drugs like morphine. These opioids are released in the brain in response to
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Apr 1, 2013
Health fraud scams can do more than waste your money. They can cause serious injury or even death, says Gary Coody, R.Ph., the FDA’s national health fraud coordinator. “Using unproven treatments can delay getting a potentially life-saving dia
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Mar 28, 2013
Last summer, the National Institutes of Health convened a first-ever federal workshop on overlapping pain conditions. The conditions discussed were: temporomandibular disorders, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic headache, int
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Mar 21, 2013
The TMJ Association has been asked by Dr. Karen Raphael, professor and clinical research scientist at New York University College of Dentistry, to help in setting the stage for a major study of the risks and benefits of Botox injections in the mastic
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Mar 14, 2013
In our April 2012 TMJ News Bites, we reported on a study by Chinese scientists suggesting that estrogen increases pain sensitivity in the jaw by stimulating a brain center (the hippocampus) to express receptors for acid, heat and other noxious stimuli. T
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Mar 13, 2013
It's common knowledge that the pupils of your eyes dilate in darkness--to absorb as much light as is available—while they contract in bright light so as not to overwhelm the system.
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Mar 7, 2013
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and other chronic pain disorders are associated with altered brain anatomy. A recent paper by Moayedi and colleagues expands knowledge in this area by describing the changes in white matter tract anatomy in TMD patients
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Feb 22, 2013
When you move your jaws, the cartilaginous disc between the condyle and your skull bone acts as a shock absorber by sliding between the bony surfaces. In some people, however, the disc becomes displaced and can cause pain, which is generally accompanied
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Feb 13, 2013
According to the New York Times, on December 10, 2012 the biotechnology giant, Amgen, said it was acquiring deCODE Genetics, a gene-hunting business known for its “headline grabbing discoveries linking genetic variations to disease. DeCODE, a priva
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Feb 6, 2013
Over the decade researchers studying Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) have concluded that these conditions are complex in origin. Some combination of genetic, sex, environmental and behavioral factors gives rise to symptoms of jaw pain and dysfunction.
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Jan 10, 2013
The focus of The TMJ Association's (TMJA) last three scientific meetings has been on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and pain conditions that a patient might get before or after being diagnosed with TMD.
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Jan 4, 2013
On behalf of Members of The TMJ Association (TMJA) Board and the Scientific Advisory Board I wish you good health and happiness in 2013. What follows is a brief summary of how the TMJA has moved forward in 2012. The prominence of pain. As you know fro
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Jan 3, 2013
Immunity-Suppressing Drugs Often Relieve Pain Autoimmunity is a condition in which the body's immune system turns against its own tissues. Pain Research Forum, a website for the pain research community, recently highlighted several studies suggesting that some chronic pain may be associated with autoimmunity.
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Dec 11, 2012
Better Quality Studies Needed When it comes to guidance for making health care decisions the Cochrane Collaboration is an outstanding authority. The Collaboration is an international organization that aims to provide the highest quality evidence-bas
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Dec 6, 2012
New Research Links to TMJ Inflammation TMD patients sometimes report feeling dizzy or experiencing an uncomfortable whirling sensation throughout their bodies, either of which can place them in danger of losing their balance and falling. There are sen
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Dec 5, 2012
Since early days, TMJA has advocated for research to advance understanding of the TM joint, the most complex joint in the body, urging the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to put more effort into studies of basic anatomy and physiology, and of genet
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Nov 16, 2012
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to present our final proposal, Partnering to End Pain, Monday, November 19th at the Collaborate | Activate Innovation Challenge final event in Washington, D.C. The TMJ Association is proud to be partnering w
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Nov 7, 2012
On October 18, 2012, The TMJ Association's (TMJA) President & Co-Founder, Terrie Cowley, traveled to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) where she attended an open house gala and symposium entitled, “Translation Pai
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Nov 2, 2012
The finding that many temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients also experience other chronic disabling and painful conditions such as fibromyalgia and/or irritable bowel syndrome has been highlighted at the last two TMJA scientific meetings. Now the Na
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Oct 31, 2012
"Caveat emptor," Latin for buyer beware, should be your watchword if you are a TMD patient seeking information or advice through Internet forums. That is the conclusion drawn from an interesting study conducted by two Swiss investigators...
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Oct 30, 2012
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), passed by the FDA in 1992 and renewed for the fifth time this year, aims to better utilize patient input to inform the drug research and approval process. Patients provide an essential perspective on the
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Oct 30, 2012
A generation ago, scientists discovered that the nervous system produces its own morphine-like, pain-relieving substances—the endorphins—which latch onto receptors on the surface of selected nerve cells to initiate their analgesic action. The
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Oct 5, 2012
What is Magnesium? According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential to good health. Approximately 50% of total body magnesium is found in bone. The
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Oct 5, 2012
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) has been awarded a $16 million grant by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research over five years for the continuation of clinical pain research begun as the OPPERA study (Orofacial P
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Sep 28, 2012
Earlier this summer, at the Partners in Patient Health Forum, Sanofi US, part of a worldwide pharmaceutical company based in Paris, launched the Collaborate | Activate Innovation Challenge. Collaborate | Activate is the first challenge rooted in th
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Sep 5, 2012
In this review, the author used PubMed to search the literature for studies involvling the use of botulinum toxin for treating myofascial (muscle) pain. Included in the review were open-label studies, single-blinded and double-blinded studies, randomiz
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Aug 26, 2012
Martha J. Somerman, D.D.S., Ph.D., has been appointed as director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). She is currently dean of the University of Washington School of Dentistry, Seattle, a position she has held since 2
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Aug 10, 2012
A recent systematic review conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration finds insufficient evidence to support or refute the removal of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth. An impacted wisdom tooth is called trouble-free, (disease free or asymptomatic) if the
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Aug 8, 2012
Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have written to the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Francis Collins, to commend the upcoming NIH Workshop on Chronic Overlapping Conditions (includin
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Aug 3, 2012
Biomedical engineers at Columbia University have been successful in using stem cells to grow grafts of bone in the shape of the TM joint. As Dr. Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic who heads the team remarked in a National Institutes of Health interview: "Today
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Jul 31, 2012
The focus of The TMJ Association's (TMJA) last three scientific meetings has been on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and pain conditions that a patient might get before or after being diagnosed with TMD. The recommendations from these meetings
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Jul 31, 2012
Who Funds Research on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)? The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the largest funding agency of scientific research for TMD.In 2010 approximately $17 million was spent on TMD research. Our hope for relief lies in the answers only science can provide and that science is largely funded by NIH.
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Jul 25, 2012
"What an unhappy surprise in the last few months to visit two different dentists and walk away with TMD in both TMJs! Having spent 30 years as a speech-language pathologist, I am grateful to have a seasoned ability to devise strategies to help me through the day..."
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Jul 12, 2012
The National Institutes of Health Pain Consortium has selected 11 health professional schools as designated Centers of Excellence in Pain Education (CoEPEs). The CoEPEs will act as hubs for the development, evaluation, and distribution of pain management
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Jul 11, 2012
Dental occlusion, body posture and temporomandibular disorders: where we are now and where we are heading for Manfredini D, Castroflorio T, Perinetti G, Guarda-Nardini L. Oral Rehabilitation, 2012. The relationship between abnormaldental occlusion,
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May 18, 2012
What is internal derangement? Internal derangement involves displacement of the disc that acts as a cushion between the skull and lower jaw. Sometimes it can be accompanied by a clicking and or popping sound. Although if a disc is very displaced, it m
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May 18, 2012
Patients in pain first and foremost are concerned with their pain and how to alleviate it. TMD patients also worry about using their jaws--can they open wide, chew their food, speak, and otherwise express their feelings.
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May 17, 2012
We received the following patient comment from Gillian in response to the article in our April TMJ News Bites, “Avoid a TMD Misdiagnosis, Watch Out for Lyme Disease”. I was SO happy to see that your latest newsletter included information a
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May 17, 2012
The TMJ Association advocates for research that will help TMD patients. That means not only finding new drugs or other treatments to relieve jaw pain and dysfunction; it also means basic research to understand the development of the joint and how i
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May 11, 2012
The National Institutes of Health has created a new website,NIH Clinical Research Trials and You, to help people learn more about clinical trials, why they matter, and how to participate. Clinical trials are essential for identifying and understanding
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May 3, 2012
With a much warmer start to spring, ticks will be out early this year. It’s especially important to take note of this if you live in or will be visiting a part of the country prone to ticks. Lyme disease is caused by at least three species of bac
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May 3, 2012
Inductive, Scaffold-Based, Regenerative Medicine Approach to Reconstruction of the Temporomandibular Joint Disk The TMJ disc is composed of soft cartilaginous material that acts as a shock absorber between the temporal bone of the skull and the l
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May 1, 2012
That TMD predominantly strikes women in their childbearing years has long intrigued scientists. But studies of the effects of female hormones—exactly how they affect TMD symptoms—remain controversial. Now scientists in China, in an experim
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Apr 12, 2012
Administrative Supplements for Collaborative Science: Opportunities for Existing NIDCR Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Admin Supp) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-159.html The NIDCR announces the availability of funds for Adm
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Mar 15, 2012
TMJA Survey Results The individuals affected by Temporomandibluar Joint Disorders (TMD) were on average 41 years of age and predominantly female (90%). Nearly 60% of both men and women reported recent pain of moderate-to-severe intensity with a
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Mar 15, 2012
This is the time of year when the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives develop the 2013 budgets for all federal agencies. One of those agencies is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
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Mar 7, 2012
The use of glucosamine has been widely promoted to the lay public as a treatment for degenerative arthritis. However, most of the clinical studies that have been done have failed to show any significant effect. Now, a recently published study that comp
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Mar 7, 2012
New research by University of North Carolina Chapel Hill investigators shows that young women with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are four times more likely to be current or former smokers than women of any age who have no clinical signs of TMD.
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Feb 24, 2012
Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, held a hearing, Pain in America: Exploring Challenges to Relief, on February 14, 2012. This hearing highlighted and followed-up on the June 2011 Institute
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Feb 15, 2012
Do you have neck and shoulder pain in addition to pain in your temporomandibular joint? A recent study in the Clinical Journal of Pain (Vol. 28, 2012, pgs 55-64) offers a possible explanation for this condition. In this study, muscle activity was analyz
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Feb 9, 2012
Since the release of the June 2011 landmark Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on chronic pain, The TMJ Association (TMJA) has been working diligently with other patient advocacy and medical professional groups to encourage the U.S. Senate Committee on
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Feb 2, 2012
HELP Committee to Examine Ways to Tackle Epidemic of Chronic Pain, Builds on Landmark 2011 Institute of Medicine Study The Chronic Pain Research Alliance (CPRA) today hailed the U.S. Senate's announcement that on February 14, 2012, it will hold a hearing to examine the issue of chronic pain, a growing health epidemic that affects 116 million Americans...
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Jan 19, 2012
The TMJA held its 6th international scientific conference June 5-7, 2011, at the Federation of Societies for Experimental Biology Conference Center in Bethesda, MD. The topic: Comorbid Chronic Pain Conditions—Mechanism, Diagnosis and Tre
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Jan 18, 2012
A clinical study on TMJ disorders is being conducted in the Dallas, Texas area. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether early non-surgical treatment techniques such as biofeedback, stress management and self management coping skills training, r
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Jan 18, 2012
The University of Maryland Dental School has completed recruitment for a clinical trial to see if the drug duloxetine (Cymbalta) relieves pain of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Duloxetine is an antidepressant also approved by the United States Food
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Dec 15, 2011
On Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 from 8-8:30 pm Eastern time Dr. Paul Christo will host a radio show on TMJ Disorders. Marion Blackburn, a TMJ patient and TMJA volunteer, as well as Dr. Christian Stohler, Dean at the University of Maryland Dental School and TM
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Dec 1, 2011
We bring your attention to two new funding opportunities recently announced by the The National Institutes of Health. Please note the inclusion of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMJD) as a comorbid condition. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatig
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Nov 29, 2011
The typical profile of patients with TM Disorders is of women in their child-bearing years. This means that they undergo fluctuating levels of estrogen in the bloodstream, depending upon the phase of the menstrual cycle, with estrogen levels highest ne
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Nov 22, 2011
The Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) study is the long-range comprehensive study of 3,200 volunteers 18 to 44 years old who were free of TMD at the outset but some of whom developed TMD in the course of the years of the study.
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Nov 3, 2011
Concerned by the decade long lack of scientific evidence last July, The TMJ Association asked the FDA to analyze all the Medwatch reports they received on TMJ total joint devices. They did and found that 52% of TMJ devices had to be explanted within th
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Oct 7, 2011
Corticosteroid injections have been used to reduce pain and improve function of arthritic joints in various parts of the body.What about the temporomandibular joint?
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Oct 5, 2011
No drugs specifically targeted to treat temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have ever been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Yet many drugs—analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), opioids, muscle relaxants and others&mdash
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Oct 4, 2011
The TMJ Association envisions a time when Temporomandibular Disorders are history. In the meantime, our goal is the advancement of scientific research that will lead to understanding, safely and effectively treating, curing, and ultimately preventing t
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Aug 17, 2011
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences was commissioned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate the 510(k) clearance process for medical devices and to make recommendations directed toward improving regulation o
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Aug 3, 2011
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is one of the less common symptoms of TMJ disorders. If you are experiencing tinnitus you might want to read the recently published article by the National Institutes of Health, Ringing in Your Ears.
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Aug 2, 2011
Dr. Susan Herring and her colleagues presented their own research findings at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting in March of this year. Dr. Herring prepared the following lay summary for our readers: Mandibula
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Jul 28, 2011
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) was commissioned by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) to evaluate the 510(k) clearance process for medical devices and to make recommendations directed toward improving regulation of these devices. The IOM is
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Jul 27, 2011
The TMJA joined consumers, health professionals, advocates, and media on June 29 in Washington D.C. for the Institute of Medicine (IOM) press conference and the release of the executive summary and full report, Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for
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Jul 15, 2011
Our sincere thanks to Dr. Susan Herring of the University of Washington in Seattle for providing the following summary of a recent article in the profressional journal, Pain. Efficacy of botulinum toxin type A for treatment of persistent myofasc
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Jul 15, 2011
Because the Preface of the IOM report, Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Tranforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research, is such an eloquent statement of the issues and experiences of the Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, as well as
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Jun 28, 2011
Pain affects more than 116 million Americans annually. It is a major cause of work disability and one of the most common reasons for taking medications. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 called for the Institute of Medicine (IOM
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Jun 16, 2011
Chronic migraine and tension type headaches are experienced by many TMJ patients. According to our survey, the two conditions TMJ patients experienced before Temporomandibular Disorders were chronic headaches and allergies. Before onset of TM Disor
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May 24, 2011
A few weeks ago I gave a presentation to the American Academy of Orofacial Pain at their annual meeting in Las Vegas. My husband Allen, also gave a presentation based upon his research utilizing systems approaches in hypertension research as an example
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Apr 28, 2011
This is exciting news as recent genetic studies have pointed to inflammation as a major contributor of TMJ disorders.This research conducted by The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and Harvard Medical School may provide a piece of the puzzle of
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Mar 1, 2011
New research offers a possible way to tell apart two conditions with similar symptoms. One disorder is chronic fatigue syndrome. The other is neurologic post-treatment Lyme disease.
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Feb 16, 2011
Time to Try It? Acupuncture is a traditional medicine that’s been practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years. Its proponents say it can do everything from relieving pain to bringing a general sense of wellness. Others
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Feb 15, 2011
A recent study conducted at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that therapeutic exercise brings earlier recovery of jaw function compared with splints! Randomized Clinical Trial of Treatment for TMJ Disc Displacement Abstract: Of t
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Feb 8, 2011
As you can see from this press release, the FDA has unearthed some troubling statistics on TMJ implant devices, such as, "the analysis described a substantial number of patients who had implants replaced within three years or less after implantation because of extreme pain."
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Feb 7, 2011
This morning The TMJ Association received a call from Dr. Jeff Shuren, Director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advising us of the FDA's action on TMJ implant devices.
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Jan 28, 2011
The Sixth Scientific Meeting of The TMJ Association Comorbid Chronic Pain Conditions – Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Treatments Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Bethesda, MD, June 5-7, 2011 MEETING AGENDA
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Jan 27, 2011
These useful tips for treating temporomandibualr disorders were recently featured in Reader's Digest's book of 1,801 Home Remedies as well as on-line.
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Jan 13, 2011
I frequently think of all the people in my life who have been my support since my TMJ surgery, the so-called "wind beneath my wings." On December 27th I lost one of my staunchest supporters, my husband's mother. My own mother died when I
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Jan 13, 2011
Recently, National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers were able to stop tinnitus in rats by rebooting the brain. We thought this article would be of interest to the TMJ community since tinnitus is a very common symptom of TMJ disorders.
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Jan 12, 2011
Hyperacusis is defined as a collapsed tolerance to normal environmental sounds. Following jaw surgery, for about a year I experienced hyperaccusis. The slightest sound was painful to the point of tears. We don't often hear this symptom fr
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Nov 28, 2010
Before implanting a third artificial jaw joint in Heidi Clark's head, doctors had to remove particles of plastic from the second failed joint that had broken apart and become embedded in muscle.
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Sep 23, 2010
What the latest research indicates about the relationship between non-traditional approaches to chronic pain. Low-Back Pain Reviews of research on acupuncture, massage, and spinal manipulation for chronic low-back pain have found evidence that
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Sep 23, 2010
We recently received the following comment from Victoria in response to Erin's blog "Growing up with a TMJD Mom." We wanted to highlight Victoria's response as it reflects an international perspective of TMJ Disorders.
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Sep 22, 2010
A fellow TMJ patient recently contacted us inquiring about a possible relationship between TMJ disorders and seizures. Here is what she wrote: I have also had right temporomandibular joint dysfunction since the age of ten caused by dentis
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Sep 17, 2010
by Lin Parkin, Mermaids Sea Jewels If I had a nickel for each time someone (doctors included) asked me if I had TMJ, I would be wealthy. Yes, I have TMJ. In fact, I have a pair of TMJs: one is my natural joint, and the other a complete replacement of
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Sep 9, 2010
Although it is not the most common of TMJ problems, closed lock is very frightening for those who have it. In its most acute stage, the mouth is almost impossible to open because of both a physical block by a displaced disk and great pain.
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Sep 8, 2010
Neuromuscular dentistry is a dental treatment philosophy intended to correct a “malalignment”of the jaw at the temporomandibular joint and produce a balanced bite. The neuromuscular dentist uses several computerized instruments to measure y
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Sep 7, 2010
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Aug 27, 2010
Stephanie Mensh recently wrote a blog for the Disruptive Women in Health Care website. The title is, Getting What You Need From the System: Tips for Advocating. Ms. Mensch and her husband were in their 30's when he suffered a stroke. As she said, &
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Aug 19, 2010
TMJ disorders most often affect women in their childbearing years, however it is important that we not forget about the men who suffer as well. We’d like to share thoughts from David, a fellow TMJ patient. To give you some ba
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Jul 28, 2010
The TMJA recently received an e-mail from a TMJ patient who would like to hear from others who have had post TMJ surgical side effects. We would like to open this blog for discussion and encourage you to share your experiences. "Has anyone ex
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Jul 22, 2010
We recently learned of the results of a research study which found irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) "shows structural changes to the brain, which places IBS in the category of other pain disorders, such as lower back pain, temporomandibular joint diso
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Jul 20, 2010
The following article appears in Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine, Spring 2010, Vol. 22. Genetics Link Overlapping Conditions Many people with fibromyalgia also experience migraine and depression; now a study from the Netherlands reports that these two
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Jul 16, 2010
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) contracted with The Lewin Group to conduct a study of the per-patient cost and efficacy/effectiveness of treatment for TMJ. This study was carried out at the request of the Senate Appropriations Co
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Jul 14, 2010
The TMJ Association (TMJA) is interested in attracting volunteers to serve in an advisory capacity to the organization to accelerate our efforts to expand awareness of temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJDs) among the public and profession
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Jul 14, 2010
We received the following question from a TMJ patient and wanted to share this with our readers: For the past month I have been researching Platelet Rich Plasma injections (PRP) and its use in joint therapies.
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Jul 14, 2010
Sharon is a TMJ patient who had both the Vitek (VKII) and Hoffman total joint implants and has had multiple surgical procedures. This year she has been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma. That is a cancer that affects the salivary glands and lymph
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Jun 18, 2010
Last month, the Overlapping Conditions Alliance successfully launched the Campaign to End Chronic Pain in Women. There is already growing Congressional interest in this effort, but we need your help today! If your U.S. Representative hears from a number
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Jun 10, 2010
The TMJ Association is excited to be part of the Campaign to End Chronic Pain in Women, an advocacy campaign fighting to end discrimination against and improve care for women suffering from neglected and dismissed chronic pain conditions. T
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Jun 10, 2010
Greetings fellow tmj patients, My name is Marsha, I have been a tmj patient for more years than I would like to remember. Living with tmjd I have experienced first hand: liquid diets, baby food, no chew, soft chew, and even a proposed feeding tube (whi
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Jun 3, 2010
The Wealthy Dentist, a dental marketing company, recently published results from a poll surveying members, "What particular dental treatments do you want to push to your patients?" Survey results indicated TMJ disorders were 'pushed' by half of dentists responding and was included in their marketing efforts.
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May 27, 2010
If you have had an adverse reaction to any medications and/or devices, such as splints, Mitek anchors, and other TMJ implants, it's important that you report this problem to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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May 4, 2010
In our effort to keep you abreast of articles of interest on many health care issues, I thought you would find the information from the National Institutes of Health Office of Research on Women's Health interesting. With the advent of brain imaging
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Jan 26, 2010
I send hearty congratulations to Deanne, TMJA's project coordinator, and to Danny and Susan of 11th Hour Solutions and the rest of the team for the hard work they put into developing the 2010 TMJ Association website. I’m proud of their work and
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Oct 24, 2009
My wife Elizabeth and I have been living with TMJ Disorders for the last 28 years. Yes, I say both of us have been living with it, because although she is the one with constant pain, who has endured multiple surgeries, and tried countless treatment pro
