Parameters of Physiologic Health: Post TMJ Treatment
Parameters of Physiologic Mandibular Health
There are certain known standards of functional and physiologic health to which all in the health care profession should work toward. None should accept less. There are parameters and standards to which the profession recognizes as healthy function.
Masticatory dysfunction and impairments are known to contribute to physical disabilities. The dental professionals and the dentistry services they provide should not add to one’s physical impairment, TMD disability and or further one’s masticatory dysfunction. Therefore, it is imperative that the lay-person understand each dentist’s approach, method, techniques and philosophy used in treating their case whether it is so called “non-invasive”, “preventative” or “surgical”.
All dental or surgical procedures that involve the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joints and teeth/occlusion will impact the qualify of one’s health whether for the better or for the worse, so pay attention! This is your life!
Normal Healthy Mandibular (Jaw) Range of Movements on Humans are:
- 36-44 mm wide open with a maximum opening up to 60 mm (inter incisal to incisal distance) without pain.
- 10-12 mm on lateral excursive jaw movement without pain.
- 6-9 mm on protrusive movement without pain.
If the mouth is not able to meet these parameters there is most likely jaw restrictions, pain and impairments present.
Travell & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: Chapter 5 Overview of Head and Neck Region by David G. Simons, Janet G. Travell, Lois S. Simons Textbook.
- Tongue Posture and Abnormal Swallowing Patterns Contributing to Hypermuscle Activity – Scan 6
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Understanding Centric Stops and Terminal Contact Functional Quality
- Myotronics K7 EMG are Safe, Effective for the Diagnosis of TMD Patients – No Longer Investigation
Questions to Ask Your Treating Doctors:
- Will this dental treatment method help improve my quality of life?
- Will this dental treatment approach move my condition toward physiologic health or will it contribute to further impairment, disability and or masticatory dysfunction?
- Dos the treating dentist know what are the physiologic functional post surgical parameters of a successful jaw joint surgery is?
- Will condylar joint replacement promise healthy and normal physiologic mandibular range of motion? or will it lead to further impairments, restrictions of jaw movement and pain?
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