I was having some jawpain and headaches. My dentist diagnosed me with TMJ. He’s given me some kind of mouthguard. I feel like I should be in a boxing ring. Is this type of treatment even real?
Alison J. – Little Rock, AR
Alison,
Though you may feel a little bit like Rocky Balboa, but your dentist is giving you a legitimate TMJ treatment. This is actually one of the simplest procedures for treating TMJ. The orthotic appliance is designed to be worn temporarily. It is moving your bite into a correct alignment.
Is there some other reason you were questioning your treatment? Has your dentist given you some reason to question his ethics? I’m not saying that you need to blindly follow your dentist. In fact, I think patients should ask a lot of questions and make sure they understand their diagnosis and treatment options. Those questions should generally be asked before treatment starts. Trust is important between doctor and patient. If your dentist doesn’t give you confidence or if he’s unwilling to explain things and answer your questions, then you need a different dentist.
This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.