1 / 7

Challenges with TMD Therapy from a General Dentist’s Perspective

Explore the complexities faced by general dentists in managing Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), including misdiagnosis, lack of medical support, and confusion over treatments. Learn how interprofessional relationships impact care in rural communities.

tomj
Download Presentation

Challenges with TMD Therapy from a General Dentist’s Perspective

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Challenges with TMD Therapy from a General Dentist’s Perspective Kevin D. Huff, DDS, MAGD June 19, 2019

  2. Main Points • Interprofessional Relationships in Rural Communities • Denture Patients and TMD • Confusion of “TMD” Definition • Underutilization of DC/TMD

  3. Interprofessional Relationships in a Rural Community Misdiagnosis • “My doctor told me I have TMJ and to get a mouthguard.” • “I get migraines all the time. The nurse practitioner gave me Topamax, but it doesn’t really do anything. Then, my doctor told me to take a Maxalt that he prescribed, but when should I take it?” Lack of Respect from Medical Community • Failure to support dental diagnosis • Misunderstanding of fee structures and medical insurance coverage • Licensure and Prescription Authority

  4. Interprofessional Relationship Challenges:Case Examples • 26-year-old patient with myalgia and chronic migraines without aura who has history of stroke: Nurse practitioner failed to respect request for medical support with low dose SNRI or TCA; NP recommended OTC soft mouthguard as alternative treatment because “dentists charge too much for bite splints.” MD supported the NP during phone consultation • 32-year-old patient with TMJ pain and headaches referred by another dentist: Patient checked with her medical insurance first who told her to go to an ENT; ENT told patient he could treat her appropriately with ear surgery.

  5. Denture Patients and TMD • Correlation of headaches and TMD rarely correlated with poor denture fit and function in practice and in literature • Complete dentures rarely evaluated by physicians; denture patients do not receive regular dental examinations. • Case Examples: 1. Fractured condyle missed by ER MD 2. Myalgia caused by poor occlusion

  6. Confusion of “TMD” Definition • “TMD is not caused by occlusion!” • Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) include 30+ diagnoses • Bony • Cartilaginous • Muscular “TMD” is not a diagnosis!

  7. Underutilization of DC/TMD • Continuing Education Centers (Spear, Pankey, Kois, etc.) • ADA ??? • Accessibility and Awareness of DC/TMD Examination Protocol

More Related