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TMJ Diseases & Disorders - Treatments - Who Treats TMJ Diseases and Disorders?
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Who treats TMJ Diseases and Disorders?
The field of TMJ diseases and disorders suffers from an extreme lack of basic and clinical science. Therefore, neither the American Dental Association (ADA) nor the American Medical Association (AMA) recognizes the treatment of TMJ diseases and disorders as a specialty. As a result, there is no established standards for dental/medical school education. Although a variety of healthcare providers advertise themselves as TMJ specialists, treatments available today are based largely on beliefs, not on scientific evidence. Today there are more than 50 different treatments available, often reflecting the type of provider seen.
As we learn more about the TMJ and its associated structures, many in the healthcare community are reassessing their treatments and the basis upon which they were developed. It is clear that the various temporomandibular diseases and disorders are far more complex than was previously believed.
Due to these reasons, The TMJ Association is unable to provide doctor referrals at this time.
So whom should you see for a TMJ problem? We suggest you initially consult your primary care physician to rule out other illnesses as a cause of your symptoms. If your physician does not diagnose a medical condition, and you are referred to another healthcare provider, it is suggested you obtain several independent opinions to confirm your diagnosis prior to committing to any treatment. We also suggest you read through our Educate Yourself section which includes a list of questions to ask your doctor prior to consenting to any treatment.
Most often TMJ patients experience pain. Perhaps a specialist who specifically treats cancer and chronic pain conditions may be able to work more specifically with your pain levels, titrating several medications in an attempt to achieve the maximum result with the least side effects. The NIH Technology Assessment Conference concluded that without appropriate scientific research, present treatments run the risk of worsening an existing condition. It was emphasized that pharmacological strategies and therapies need to be utilized to alleviate TMJ-related pain. The authors noted, "the principles for management of the pain associated with persistent TMD are the same as those for treatment of other chronic pain conditions. Opiates and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are recognized as mainstays for analgesic management and should be implemented commensurate with the level of pain."