TMJ

[00:00:02.640] TMJ issues are issues with the two [00:00:09.080] ends of the jaw that ride up against [00:00:14.040] the skull base on either side of your face. [00:00:17.360] When we're treating TMJ, [00:00:19.640] what we're doing is managing pain. [00:00:25.160] Trying to manage pain [00:00:27.680] by supporting the joints with a piece of plastic called a bite splint. [00:00:33.440] The bite splint is something we place between the upper and lower arch of teeth [00:00:38.520] that helps give the teeth or helps teeth take up some of the pressure [00:00:44.640] or load that would be put on the joints. [00:00:48.320] If a bite splint is properly fabricated, it's something that could be helpful. [00:00:54.120] It's usually the first lining of treatment, to help someone. [00:00:59.360] A typical scenario for someone coming in for TMJ treatment would be... [00:01:06.440] If I could do anything that I wanted, [00:01:11.200] I would love for them to get a visual. [00:01:13.600] For me to get a visual understanding of what the health of the joints are [00:01:19.880] and then based on that, decide whether it makes sense to place [00:01:26.000] or manage the situation, with the bite splint. [00:01:29.960] And if that's unsuccessful, [00:01:32.720] the next step would be referral to a knowledgeable surgeon [00:01:37.920] who has an understanding of what to do in these joints [00:01:42.760] to help a person get better.