37 Year Old Female Conquered TMJ with No Surgery: Optimized Orthotic
Leanna presented to my office with severe masticatory muscle pains. She also was wearing a lower splint which was not comfortable even after attempting to wear various upper and lower neuromuscular appliances, splints, deprogrammers and bionators. She has seen 35 previous health professionals with not improvement or resolution to her pains.
1. Physiotherapy 4
2. Atlas Orthopedics
3. Massage 3
4. Colonoscopy Doctor 2
5. Orthodonist 4
6. General Dentist 7
7. Medical Doctor 2
8. Maxiofacial Surgeon 2
9. Peridontist 2
10. Opthamologist
11. Chiropractor
12. TMJ Specialist 2
13. Acupunturist 3
14. Radiologist
15. Psychologist 2
16. Family Medicine
17. MD Rehab. Specialist
When jaw locked Leanna saw numerous specialist (15 doctors). They all recommended orthognathic surgery and or 4 bicuspid removal.
Electrosonograph (ESG): Temporomandibular Joint Sound Analysis
Reveals high frequency low signature patterns mainly on the right temporomandibular joint on late opening and early closing cycles (repeated). This is indicative of temporomandibular joint degeneration disease (filtered 0-330) using fast fouriet transfer (FFT) analysis.
Resting Electromyography (EMG) Before Orthodontic/Orthopedic Treatment
The following show the resting EMGs before treatment. Note hyper active cervical group EMGs (LCG/RCG) before myomonitor TENS and persistent high cervical group (LCG/RCG) EMGS after TENS – this is before any treatment. This data has significant implications that were missed and overlooked even by some NM clinicians. Also note low EMGS in temporalis anterior and masseter groups before and after TENSing.
EMGs before and after Orthodontic Orthopedic Treatment
ICAT imaging after ortho/orthopedic verticalization – centric occlusion, free of pain and masticatory dysfunction.
ICAT imaging after ortho/orthopedic verticalization – maximum opening with not pain, no restrictions.
Functional Clench EMGs Before and After Orthopedic Treatment
Left Window: Before treatment – Functional closure (clenching teeth together) in habitual occlusion before treatment indicates functional impairment and dysfunction (2 repeated natural clenches compared to clenching on wet cotton rolls used as a control). Patient has masticatory dysfunction and occlusion is not supporting patients jaw function.
Right Window: After orthodontic orthopedic treatment – Functional clench now on orthopedically corrected natural dentition (2 natural clenches vs. 2 cotton rolls over natural corrected teeth used as controls). Note significantly improve muscles recruitment indicative of physiologic health. Muscles and orthopedically corrected occlusion is now supporting healthy physiologic function.
To date (10 years after treatment) Leanna continues to live a life of comfort free of TMD pain and discomfort.
- Initial evaluation and diagnostic work up: February 8, 2005
- End of Phase 1 Orthotic treatment completed: April 10, 2008
- Phase 2 Treatment Orthopedic treatment completed: October 24, 2011
_____________________________________
