Biography
Biography: Manish Agrawal
Abstract
The term Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Diseases and Disorders refers to a complex and poorly understood set of conditions. They usually manifest as pain in the area of the jaws and their associated muscles, frequently accompanied by limitations in the ability to make normal jaw movements. Treatment of occlusion related TMJ disorders is often a challenge for both the dentist and the patient. These disorders can be difficult to diagnose as the presenting symptoms can be variable. Conventional occlusal splint therapy is a safe and effective, albeit conservative mode of treatment in comparison to the surgical therapies for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Once the cause of the occlusion related disorder is identified, this reversible, non-invasive therapy not only yields diagnostic information but also provides relief to the patient, without the difficulties that often accompany other, more complex approaches. The goal of this presentation is to familiarize “physicians with the masticatory system†and to delineate the basic principles of occlusal splint therapy for treating temporomandibular disorder (TMD), bruxism and some forms of headaches.
