The Symptoms
 The presence
of one of the described dysfunctions can be associated with a wide variety
of symptoms and its accurate diagnosis can prove to be a diagnostic challenge
to most physicians. The symptoms do not appear to be related to a disorder
originating in the jaw joint. The most common symptoms in various combinations
and intensities are:
Migraine
Headaches
Tension headaches
Frequent headaches
Vascular headaches
Frequent dizzy spells
Face, neck and shoulder pain
Limited movement or locking of the jaw
Numbness in fingers and arms
Earaches or ear stuffiness
Popping jaw joints when eating and/or yawning
Pain in and around the temporomandibular joints
Poor posture
The Causes
People who
suffer from these dysfunctions have a structural imbalance in their jaw-to-skull
relationship caused by tooth-to-tooth relationships that apply force vectors
to the lower jaw that push it back on closure. This backward force on the
condyle (lower jaw-bone) constantly compresses arteries and nerves in the
jaw joint capsule. It is this compression that causes the headaches and
other symptoms. This condition often times is initiated by external stress
such as that caused by car accidents, whiplash injuries, sporting accidents,
trauma from a fall or internal stress from missing or misaligned teeth or
improper nutrition. It may also be due to long-forgotten childhood falls
and blows to the head and face.
The Diagnosis
 Often, patients never think of seeing a dentist who specializes
in functional jaw orthopedics when suffering from headaches, earaches or
neck pain. They go from doctor to doctor, from neurologists to psychiatrists
and when nothing is found, it is often suggested they learn to live with
their pain. This increases the stress and then the problem is magnified.
An accurate diagnosis is the key to a correct prognosis and successful treatment.
The Treatment
Once all
diagnostic information has been collected and reviewed, the best course
of action can be determined. The treatment is divided into two phases: stabilizing
and permanent. The stabilizing phase is to restore the jaw joints to normal
and to remove, or at least greatly reduce the symptoms from which the patient
is suffering.  The
permanent phase is more involved and varied but essentially requires making
the patients' bite coincident with the new pain-free (phase 1) corrected
jaw position. This is accomplished with either TMO-orthodontics or prosthetic
restorative rehabilitation of the back teeth. A less involved permanent
method using a removable prosthesis is also available.
When the
dysfunctions are identified and treated early, the cure rate is remarkably
high--about 90%. If left undiagnosed, however, and after it becomes chronic,
the cure rate drops and the patient may remain with some permanent symptoms
although at a greatly decreased level. Early identification and treatment
is essential for the immediate and future well-being of each patient.
For
information regarding this treatment you may contact Dr. Walseth at the
above address in Santa Barbara, California.
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