TREATMENT

Treatment Options

• Postural Alignment: Chan’s Dental Model
• What does Stable Mean – TMJ Lingo or Scientific Basis?
• DIAGNOSTICS
• Relating GNM Occlusal Treatment to the Diagnostic Craniomandibular Classifications
• Physiologic Standards that Validate Treatment Stability
• Bite Optimization
• Which Kind of Chiropractor or Body Aligner Need to Support the Occlusion

With any medical or dental treatment the success depends to a large extent on the degree of cooperation of the patient in following the prescribed treatment plan.  Failure to comply with instructions could delay the treatment time and seriously affect the success of the treatment.  All dental patients should understand and acknowledge that routine hygiene care is essential during TMD orthotic, restorative and orthodontic care in order to prevent any decay and/or periodontal problems.
Patients undergoing TMD treatment should recognize that a first stage (Phase I) stabilization period is usual.  Phase I is focused on establishing muscle, joint and occlusal stability.  Patient should be pain free, free of medications and comfortable.

• Occlusal Adjustments – Equilibration, Coronoplasty, Micro Occlusion
• Restorative – Single tooth
• Prosthetics and Implants – Replacement of teeth
• Removable Appliance Therapy – Anatomical Orthotic

The second stage (Phase 2) treatment will require one of the following procedures:

• Orthodontics
• Orthopedics
• Restorative – crown and bridge restorative
• Combination of orthodontics and/or restorative (crown, bridges, implants)
• Semi permanent orthotic

YOU ARE IN CONTROL
Individuals should  realize TMD patients are not required to do anything just because a dentists suggests a particular mode of treatment. You don’t have to proceed with braces, or you don’t have to have full mouth reconstruction, or you don’t have to have jaw joint surgery or whatever. The dentist can only suggest, educate and recommend. You are in control! Your health belongs to you.
I believe the main focus of any TMD dentist is to help bring you to a level of STABILITY so that one is relatively pain free. Anything beyond the stage of stabilization is extra and will be determined by you (the patient) based on the input of your dentist as well as your understanding as to what you understand and desire as how you want your teeth, facial profile, and jaw position, etc to look like.

• Phase 1 – focuses on getting you comfortable and stable. This is primary.
• Phase 2 – Is focused on cosmetics mainly and finalizing the teeth, joints and muscles into the relationship established in phase 1.

Patient’s must be aware that a final finishing stage, Phase2, is usually recommended following Phase One Diagnostic Orthotic Therapy for a more final solution. At the end of the successful completion of Phase One Stabilization Therapy, a consultation appointment will be set up for the patient to discuss the various treatment options for Phase Two (Treatment Phase).

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To Read More: Initial Treatment Protocol

• How Fast Can One Expect TMJ Pain Improvement
• Bite Optimization
• When is Changing Vertical Dimension of  Occlusion (VDO) is Clinically Acceptable
• Mandibular GNM Orthotic Effects on the Cervical Alignment
• PT Physical Therapy verses GNM
• Which Kind of Chiropractor or Body Aligner Need to Support the Occlusion
• Cranial and Cervical Distortions
• When to Grind and When Not to Grind
• Dr. Clayton A. Chan’s GNM Orthotic Adjustment Visit Regimen for His TMD Patients
• Postural Alignment: Chan’s Dental Model

Read More: TMD Problems that Challenge Dentistry – Four Main Categories

• TMD: Cervical Dysfunction Problems
• TMD: Temporomandibular Joint Primary Problems
• TMD: Class II Division 2 Type Problems

• Initial Treatment Protocol
• How to Treat TMD Effectively →
• Cervical Spine Injuries: Detecting Clinical Significance 
• TREATMENT
• What is Bite Optimization
• MRI – Disc Reduction Using GNM Optimization Protocols
• What does Stable Mean – TMJ Lingo or Scientific Basis?
• Occlusal Stability Before Phase 2 Orthodontics or Restorative Treatment – A GNM Rule
• Physiologic Standards that Validate Treatment Stability