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Temperomandibular Joint Disorder Resulting from Accidents

As Brooklyn’s premier accident specialist, Dr. Jeff J. Mollins will often diagnose, treat, and document patients who have Temperomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD).  T.M.D. can be extremely painful, often disabling, and must be treated as expeditiously as possible to prevent possible dire consequences.

Your temperomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear.  It lets you move your jaw up and down and side to side so you can talk, chew, and yawn. Problems with your jaw and the muscles in your face that control it are known as temperomandibular disorders (TMD). Injury to your jaw, the joint or the muscles of your head is a common cause of TMD.  TMD is often the result of an accident. Whether it is an automobile accident, work accident, slip and fall, or construction accident injury to the jaw (such as a heavy blow or whiplash) often occurs.

Common symptoms of T.M.D. include:

  • Pain or tenderness in your face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide.
  • Problems when you try to open your mouth wide.
  • Jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” in the open or closed mouth position.
  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when you open or close your mouth or chew. This may or may not be painful.
  • A tired feeling in your face.
  • Trouble chewing in a sudden uncomfortable bite.
  • Swelling on the side of your face.

Diagnosis:  As always a careful history is crucial in assessing a proper diagnosis. It is essential to know the mechanism of the accident to provide a concise working diagnosis. For example, if a patient has been assaulted and received a blow to the face, we can then consider TMD as a possible consequence of this accident. Dr. Mollins will perform a comprehensive physical examination which will include checking the jaw joints for pain and tenderness and listen for clicks, pops, or grating sounds when the patient moves them.

Dr. Mollins may have to refer this patient to a specialist such as a Board Certified Neurologist or possibly an oral surgeon. Diagnostic testing may be required as well, including standard x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT). The MRI can show if the TMJ (temperomandibular joint) disc is in the proper position as your jaw moves. A CT scan shows the bony detail of the joint.

Once a proper, accurate diagnosis is attained, Dr. Mollins must place his/her patient on a comprehensive treatment regimen. Conservative chiropractic manipulation augmented by deep tissue massage can be very effective. Various forms of physical therapy, such as moist heat, electrical muscle stimulation and/or ultrasound often provides relief and ultimately a cure.

Referred  doctors will also prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like naproxen or ibuprofen). If necessary trigger point injections may be utilized (a pain medication is injected into tender facial muscles to give relief). Ultimately if conservative treatment does not work then surgical intervention may be necessary.

Dr. Jeff J. Mollins and all of his referred  medical specialist (orthopedists, pain management physicians, neurologists, physical therapist etc) are certified by New York State to treat patients injured on the job.

Therefore, if you sustain a work injury (such as TMD), there is no out-of-pocket expense for any treatment. In addition, if you are physically unable to work, you will receive payment for your lost wages. When you return to work, you can still receive treatment (at no cost) until you achieve wellness.

Posted in: Injury Documentation, Injury Treatment, Physical Examinations, Workers Compensation