What Can We Expect in Surgery and Conservative Management for TMD Patients
Shan-Ju Chou D.D.S.,
MS., FRCD(C),
Orthodontist and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Wan-Fang Medical Center
Taipei
TAIWAN
For people presented with facial pain, difficulty in chewing, and
limited mouth opening, many clinical practitioners may prescribe different sort
of management , such as medication, occlusal splint, physical therapy, and even
though surgery. However, the treatment results are not usually predictable and
the practitioners and patients may or may not choose the more invasive
intervention if the previous results are not satisfactory. For the treatment
accuracy, gathering enough information for exact diagnosis and understanding
the pathogenesis of this diseases could direct the treatment to right direction
and a better outcome.
Most commonly, the TMJ patients could be divided into 5 categories:
Internal derangement (including degenerative changes), benign tumour,
malignancy, traumatic adhesion, neuropathy, and systemic disease. Each category
has its own clinical characteristic, and it’s not difficult to clarify the aetiology by
carefully evaluating the pain pattern, disease course, jaw movement and image.
Therefore, the more predicable outcome and prognosis are not impossible
missions for TMD patients if the adequate treatment performed.
