I have seen the results of many different treatment modalities for craniofacial pain.  Referred patients have expressed their frustration with many years of suffering from chronic head and neck pain that has not responded well to medical treatments. They have described chronic pain related to head and neck muscles, headaches, ear pain and jaw pain.  The acute symptoms have been treated well.  However, the long-term stability of the craniomandibular articulation may never have been evaluated.  The acute symptoms returned and the subsequent chronic pain caused stress, fatigue and has adversely affected the patient’s quality of life. Patients who experience this type of pain never think the source of their pain may be associated with a mal-alignment of their jaw to their skull.

Understanding the relationship of the moveable lower jaw to the fixed skull is the critical diagnostic concept.  It requires knowledge of the anatomy, form and function of the temporomandibular joints.  As the closure of a door into its frame is dependent upon the stability of the hinge, so is the closure of the jaw dependent on the stability of the TMJ.  An unbalanced jaw causes the skull to become unbalanced and stresses all the muscles that support the head.  Stress causes pain.  Pain relief requires relaxed muscles, stable occlusion (bite) and stress free temporomandibular joints.

My practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of craniofacial pain with related temporomandibular derangement (TMD). I may request a TMJ MRI scan to determine the structural integrity of the joints, determine the Piper Classification of a derangement and recommend treatment.  Patients with symptoms of TMD can be helped, if the health of the temporomandibulr joints is evaluated before determining treatment. The craniomandibular system of teeth, muscles and joints must function in harmony, creating no stress within the complex system.

I have completed extensive training with Dr. Peter Dawson and Dr. Mark Piper at the Center for Advanced Dental Study, a recognized TMD authority in research, education and surgery.  My practice focuses on the diagnosis & treatment of craniofacial pain and TMJ dysfunction.  If you suffer from any of these symptoms, please call today and discover what we already know about your pain.