H. Clifton Simmons III, D.D.S.

Treatment of TMJ

All treatment of TMJ disorders can be broken down into two types:

Definitive treatment

Definitive treatment is treatment with a goal of correcting the disorder. TMJ disorder treatments that fall under this category are:

A: Nonsurgical Definitive treatment:

Anterior Repositioning Appliance therapy 24 hours a day with permanent alteration of the bite with orthodontics, crowns, bridges, or partial dentures

B: Surgical Definitive treatment:

Modified Condylotomy Surgery

Supportive treatment

Supportive treatment is treatment with a goal of helping an individual adapt to their disorder. TMJ disorder treatments that fall under this category are:

A: Nonsurgical Supportive treatment:

Anterior Repositioning Appliance therapy less than 24 hours a day and no bite alteration

Flat plane splint therapy

Pharmacotherapeutics (drug treatments)

Physical therapy

Night guards or occlusal guards

Biofeedback

Soft diet

Alteration of bad oral habits

B: Surgical Supportive treatment:

Arthrocentesis (flushing out the joint)

Arthroscopy (looking into the joint)

Menisectomy surgery (disk removal surgery)

When the patient’s condition allows, Dr. Simmons uses definitive treatment methods. Dr. Simmons believes that correcting a disorder is superior treatment to helping a patient to adapt to their disorder.