TMJ/ Myofacial Pain
            COMPUTERIZED DIAGNOSTICS:   The Key to Success

OUR TREATMENT PROTOCOL
Advanced Diagnostics: An Ingredient for Success

The following is a brief summary of our office treatment protocol for those patients who desire treatment.

TMJ CONSULT (Visit 1)

This visit will be about one hour long. The following is what one can anticipate at that consultation.

  • Meeting the Doctor and discuss the problem.
  • A brief screening muscle palpation will be done.
  • The doctor will present a treatment method and options.
  • The doctor's assistant will complete an initial screening sonographic recording of the joints.
  • A referral will be given to have the appropriate radiographs be taken at a nearby x-ray laboratory.
  • Diagnostic Casts and necessary photographs will be taken.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (Visit 2)

This visit will take on average 3 hours with the doctor. The following will give you some idea of what will be accomplished at this visit.

  • Thorough review an complete history of the problem.
  • Medical/dental history.
  • Thorough review of all previous doctors and health care providers recommendations and treatment outcomes.
  • Head and neck examination - including muscle palpation and postural.
  • Occlusal evaluation.
  • TMJ evaluation - sonography (joint sound recordings) reviewed.
  • Periodontal examination.
  • Thorough review of all radiographs (FMX, panoramic, tomograms, cephlometric, submental vertex, lateral cervical spine, AP coronal trauma series).
  • Recording of pre-existing dental conditions.
  • A further discussion and interaction with the doctor of treatment options.

NEUROMUSCULAR ANALYSIS (Visit 3)

This visit takes approximately 4 hours. It involves the recording of jaw movements at rest, in function, before and after TENS. Data is gathered from EMG recordings and coordinated with CMS recordings. A "myo-bite" registration that records accurately that physiolgic resting position that is unique to each patient is recorded and verified with the objective data. The following is a brief outline of the recordings that will be taken.
  • Computerized Mandibular Scan (CMS) - Scan 2, 3, 13.
  • Electromygraphic (EMG) Analysis with low frequency TENS - Scan 6, 9, 10, 11.
  • Sonographic Analysis/ Range of Motion Analysis - Scan 15, 16.
  • Computerized Neuromuscular (Myo-Bite) registration to determine neuromuscular jaw rest position - Scan 4, 5.
PHASE I THERAPY (Visit 4)

Orthosis Therapy with TENS
This visit usually takes on average 3 hours. This visit comprises the delivery of the neuromuscular orthotic appliance. The neuromuscular orthotic is custom designed to the exact jaw recordings specification that was accomplished at the previous visit. The computer diagnostics and TENS are also implemented in the refining of the appliance to the patients physiologic resting and functioning musculature.


Very little doubt is left as to the accuracy, precision and what this protocol accomplishes. It is able to stabilizing the jaw and muscles to their physiologic rest position which is confirmed by the diagnostic data gathered. This data is then recorded to confirm a proper physiologic rest, jaw posture and cranium to mandible relation.

FOLLOW UP VISITS will be monitored to access the progress of each case.


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