TMJ Diseases & Disorders - Treatments - Who Treats TMJ Diseases and Disorders?
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Who Treats TMJ Disorders?
The field of temporomandibular (jaw) joint and muscle disorders (TMJD) suffers from a lack of basic and clinical science. Therefore, neither the American Dental Association (ADA) nor the American Medical Association (AMA) recognizes the treatment of TMJDs as a specialty. As a result, there are no established standards for dental/medical school education. Although a variety of healthcare providers advertise themselves as TMJ specialists, the more than 50 different treatments available today are based largely on beliefs, not on scientific evidence.
As we learn more about the temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders and its associated structures, many in the healthcare community are reassessing their treatments and ways in which they were developed. Clearly, the various TMJDs are far more complex than 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 any other illnesses as the 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."