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Call: 312-920-0505
111 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2011 • Chicago, IL 60602
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Preface
I've been interested in the diagnosis, treatment,
and study of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) for
almost twenty years. The curiosity I developed about the subject
came out of my interest in restorative and reconstructive
dentistry. This area of dentistry not only uses advanced concepts
of mouth restoration, it also deals with the specifics of
how teeth fit together in all their complexities.
After graduating from dental school I began
an extensive continuing education program and worked with
people all over the country who were directly involved in
research and development of various techniques in reconstructive
dentistry. This study was done both in their offices and in
intensive courses given throughout the country.
When I began to incorporate these techniques
into my practice, I noticed that patients who came back for
checkups often commented about changes that appeared unrelated
to the treatments they had received. "Ever since you
made those bridges," one woman said, "my ear problems
have cleared up." Another patient said, "Ever since
I had the crowns replaced, my headaches are gone." I
also began to pay more attention to patients' complaints and
was more open to the possibility that dental work could trigger
problems.
In the late 1960s, when patients were making
these comments, TMJ was little known or recognized, even by
dentists. However, a few dentists were beginning to study
and attempting to treat TMJ. It became apparent to me that
TMJ and reconstructive dentistry were related fields and that
the knowledge from each could be combined to develop successful
TMJ treatment. Even though little was known about TMJ, I believed
that it was a problem with an answer; it was simply a matter
of working persistently enough to find that answer.
Also at that time success rates, using the
techniques developed, were far less than 50 percent. That
still left the majority of TMJ patients suffering. Even today,
paltry success rates are common and ignorance and confusion
about TMJ abounds.
The present state of confusion about TMJ, on
the part of both the general public and health care community,
prompted me to start the Institute for the Study and Treatment
of Headaches and Facial Pain. The institute created a vehicle
by which my colleagues in all branches of health care can
learn more about TMJ. It also created a vehicle to educate
other dentists about the dental treatment requirements of
ex-TMJ patients. If this treatment is done incorrectly, the
patient's symptoms are much more likely to return. Because
the concept of this treatment isn't available through standard
dental education, the institute offers programs to fill this
need.
But, first and foremost, the institute is a
treatment center for those suffering with TMJ. Treating patients
for TMJ problems can be frustrating and personally painful.
Patients I see have lived in severe pain-sometimes for many
years. They had been unable to seek help in appropriate places
because they didn't know about TMJ. Patients spent enormous
amounts of money and suffered years of anguish while they
looked for help. Many ended up hopeless. This tragic situation
prompted me to write this book. Clearly, the public desperately
needs education about TMJ-the multitude of symptoms and the
potential for cure.
I hope that people who are experiencing some
of the difficulties described in this book will talk to their
health care providers about TMJ. I hope health care professionals
will then be encouraged to learn more about TMJ and the treatment
concepts discussed in this book. Through the institute, I
would like to share my knowledge and treatment protocol with
interested practitioners in all the healing arts.
Today many patients are allowed to continue
living in chronic pain simply because information about TMJ
is lacking. I hope the institute and this book will contribute
to ending this frustrating and often tragic situation.
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