Page 29 - Inspire Health March/April 2017

Chew on this:
Physical therapy may relieve jaw, face pain By Rachel Snyder

P eople typically do not give much n Difficulty opening or closing factors and nearby joints. They consider
thought to the temporomandibular your mouth the patient’s movement, flexibility, strength,
joint, even though it is the most- posture, endurance, pain and range of
used joint in the human body. These n Joint clicking/popping motion in the TMJ and surrounding muscles.
flexible joints connect the lower jaw n Trouble maintaining proper posture
(mandible) to the bone on the side of the Good Shepherd’s physical therapists
head (temporal bone) and move our jaw, TMD is frequently due to simple wear create treatment plans based on the
helping us to talk, chew and yawn. and tear, grinding or clenching of teeth or patient’s symptoms. Hands-on manual
even poor posture. Over time, the disk that therapy decreases muscle and joint pains as
For about 10 million Americans, helps the joint move erodes. Arthritis also well as spasms. Therapeutic exercises lessen
those simple activities become difficult causes TMD, as the disease damages the muscle imbalances and help the patient
because of a painful condition called cartilage within the joint. An injury or blow improve breathing, flexibility and posture
Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). to the jaw also can contribute to TMD, difficulties that contribute to TMD. Lastly,
Individuals with TMD frequently experience even years after the injury. physical therapists educate patients on
symptoms like: modifying their environment and activities
Because TMD has many causes and to reduce symptoms.
n Jaw/joint tenderness symptoms, getting a correct diagnosis is
n Pain in and surrounding the ear sometimes difficult. People mistakenly Rachel Snyder, PT, DPT,
n Difficulty/pain when chewing assume they have migraines, dental and/ OCS, FAAOMPT, is
n Facial pain or ear problems and seek relief from a physical therapist
specialists. Some live with the pain or rely at Good Shepherd
on medication. Rehabilitation Network.
Photos courtesy of Good Shepherd
Those who suffer with TMD symptoms
should consider seeing a physical therapist.
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network’s
therapists examine all possible contributing

Dental implants can boost can be stained by things like coffee or fixed or removable in their mouth. “A
your quality of life wine and the treatment generally doesn’t single tooth implant is maintained just
like your real teeth — it can be flossed,
last as long. Veneers are a better choice brushed, cleaned with a Waterpik, etc.”

A healthy smile is the key to for multiple teeth, while bonding is usually Finally, consider the cost: “Insurance
doesn’t always cover implants,” he says.
a healthy life: Your teeth help you to limited to fixing smaller imperfections.
The procedure itself is relatively
maintain a proper diet, aid in digestion If your teeth are unhealthy, implants straightforward and can take
anywhere from 30 minutes to a few
and, when you flash those pearly whites, are the best way to go. hours, depending on the number of
implants necessary. Once the implant
can even be a sign of confidence. “Dental implants are a titanium thread heals — usually in eight to 12 weeks
— two, 45-minute-long appointments
Yet accidents, age and even genetics or screw that is placed into your jaw are required to make a single tooth
for an implant.
can result in a host of problems like bone,” says Dr. Peter Andolino of Broad
“We can build a single tooth on one
discolored or missing teeth, mouth Street Dental Associates in Bethlehem. implant, or if a patient needs to replace
all of their teeth on an arch (top or
pain and poor oral health. Thankfully, “The implant is the platform that we use bottom ), we can make a fixed case
or we can make a removable denture
advances in dentistry have resulted in a to replace missing teeth permanently.” that snaps on and off the implants,”
Andolino says. “Every patient should
number of ways to repair and rejuvenate If you’re thinking about an implant, consider dental implants unless they are
told otherwise by a dental professional
your function and smile — including there are a number of things to consider, or physician.”

bonding, veneers and dental implants. Andolino says. The first is the positive

If your teeth are healthy but you’re not effect it will have on your quality of life:

pleased with their appearance, a process A number of studies — including one

such as bonding or a veneer may be an published in the Journal of International

option. Experts say there are pros and cons Dentistry — show that implant patients

to either option: Veneers are said to look see significant improvements in regards

better, resist staining and last much longer, to the work, health and emotional

but can be expensive. Bonding, on the other aspects of their lives.

hand, is a quicker rejuvenation process that’s Andolino says patients also need to

much more affordable, but bonded teeth consider whether they want something

March · April 2017 INSPIRE HEALTH 29