Responsibilities of a TMJ Dentist

1. Responsibilities of a TMJ Dentist TMJ dental professionals understand the oral disability and works on it to give a long-term or life-time relief. Professional judgments of dentists do a great deal to patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder. A TMJ dentist has many responsibilities to assist patients towards a right treatment direction. Responsibilities during treatment: At the commensal of treatment, the dentist takes up an interaction session to review the concerns, medical history and expectations of the patient. An oral examination is done to know the condition and stage of the disorder. The patient is then informed about his current oral condition. Dentist then looks for other considerations like other differential diseases that mimic TMJ disorders. After considerations, the dentist then decides upon the treatment, whether the TMJ disorder is to be monitored or is to be treated. Further consent for treatment is obtained by the patient after providing him all the important information regarding the nature of the disorders. A treatment plan is then developed based on various factors such as patient’s speech function, status of temporomandibular joints, orofacial aesthetics, restorative implications, tooth position, prognosis, periodontal status and behavior. Counseling of the patient is done with treatment plan, associated risks, success and basic important recommendations for behavior modification.

2. Dentists mostly try to start with treatment which helps in the management of infection, pain, injury or trauma. Treatment is recommended only to patients with craniomaxillofacial pains and deformities. Dentist considers most reversible and least invasive treatment first. Patient and dentist are in full concurrence with the treatment performed. Dentists generally decline the treatment which is not in the favor of patient even if the patient is insisting to get that treatment. A dentist tries to manage the patient’s anxiety, behavior and pain during the treatment. It also depends upon patient’s cooperation. Dentist administers and modifies the medicines during the treatment by considering the condition of a patient. Dentist informs the patient to participate in continuing oral care programs to know the effectiveness of treatment and status of TMJ disorder. Treatment plan, counseling procedures, preventive measures is generally included in patient’s dental record. Other responsibilities: Dentist should stress on prevention and early detection of TMJ diseases by educating patients in preventive oral health practices. The patient should be informed about the increased risks in maintaining oral health, if the treatment is not taken on time. Oral orthotics (guards/splints) should be evaluated periodically by dentist for the possible risks accompanied with its continual use. They are used by dentist to reduce symptoms and facilitate treatment. TMJ dentists perform innumerable duties to bring effective results. Dr. Shahin Safarian is a TMJ dentistin San Diego. He has studied the subject of neuromuscular dentistry for Advanced Dental Studies. Visit his website more information about the services offered by him.