Litigation and post-traumatic TMD: how patients report treatment outcome

Article Abstract:

Treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) may be hampered in patients pursuing litigation. Though the cause is unclear, there appears to be a relationship between litigation involving TMD and psychological, physical and demographic factors and subjective pain. Of 96 patients suffering from TMD due to trauma, 53 were involved in litigation. Those involved in litigation reported their symptoms differently than those who were not in litigation. They reported more pain sites, more facial pain and more sleep disturbances. The average treatment duration was 15 weeks. Litigating patients had more treatments over a longer period of time and indicated greater pain at the conclusion of treatments. Objective measurements of the range of motion and the pressure pain threshold, and the percentage of change after treatment, revealed little statistical difference between the two groups in these areas.

Psychological aspects, Wounds and injuries, Injuries, Whiplash injuries, Whiplash, Actions and defenses, Litigation

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Temporomandibular disorders: a survey of dentists' knowledge and beliefs

Article Abstract:

Diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is controversial. TMD are different types of joint and muscle disorders that affect the bones in the side of the head and the lower bone of the jaw. Among 386 dentists who were surveyed about the diagnosis and treatment of TMD, 205 were general dentists and 181 were specialists. The specialists were more likely to agree with TMD experts about the pathophysiology of TMD than the general dentists. The two groups of dentists agreed on the use of different types of treatment for TMD. They also agreed on the psychophysiological aspects of TMD, and their opinions did not differ significantly from those of TMD experts. More controversy surrounded the association between TMD and different psychiatric disorders.

Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Dentists

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The case for incorporating biobehavioral treatment into TMD management

Article Abstract:

Biofeedback and behavior changes may play a role in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMD involves pain or dysfunction of the temporomandibular (jaw) joint and muscles. While behavior may not have caused TMD, behavioral changes may reduce the chronic pain associated with it. There may be psychological or emotional causes of TMD. Electronic stimulation of jaw muscles may be used in biofeedback. Biobehavioral therapy is noninvasive and relies on the patient's motivation to improve. Research is needed to assess the usefulness of biobehavioral interventions.

Health aspects, Cover Story, Behavior modification, Biofeedback training, Biofeedback

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