Conservative management of temporomandibular joint disease: a case study.
Although temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems are difficult to diagnose and evaluate, treatment today centers on conservative methods, not surgery. Many dentists lack the knowledge to adequately diagnose and treat TMJ, and many insurers as well as managed care plans have often refused to pay for conservative therapy, now known as Phase 1 TMJ treatment. This treatment consists of appliance or intraoral splint placement, along with physical therapy. Ultimately, this therapy is far less expensive than either joint or orthognathic surgery. Since there is no recognized specialty in TMJ disease, managed care programs need to establish discernible criteria for the selection of providers to diagnose and treat their TMJ patients. By carefully selecting providers and monitoring the outcome of treatment rendered to patients, costs and time of treatment could be drastically reduced, benefiting the patient and the managed care program.
Pfitzinger
W R
WR
Quality Directions, St. Charles, MO 63302.
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D013165:Splints; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*