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TMJ News Bites
January 2012
Volume 4, Issue 1
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Changing the Face of TMJ in 2012!
In December we highlighted our 2011 accomplishments in TMJ News Bites,
TMJ Communiqué and the
TMJ Science. Following receipt of these publications, we received the following letter:
“Beautiful, beautiful! Working in Washington DC’s National Press Club Building on Drug Research Reports,
I received dozens and dozens of research reports from non-government
medical associations, but never as powerful a one as this year’s TMJ Science. Drug Research Reports
was designed to be a 3-way bulletin board for National Institutes of
Health, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and practicing scientists. Our
daily mail very often included information intended to be like yours,
but none of them ever carried the message that their research needed
redirection and their mission statements almost never changed. What they
did was to make claims of progress and express great hopes for the
future. Your TMJ Science is heavy enough to invite filing or
placement in medical libraries and attributes all progress to the TMJA’s
administration and the scientific community. Congratulations."
Nathanial Polster, Chicago, IL
And we got an award too!
The
Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
(FNIDCR), a non-profit organization, is a broad-based coalition of
individuals, institutions and corporations who understand the critical
importance of dental, oral and craniofacial research to the health and
well-being of people globally.
On
December 6th, the Friends of NIDCR hosted its 2011 Annual Conference
& Awards at the historic National Press Club in Washington, DC.
The audience consisted of scientists, dental school deans, professors,
clinicians, local area practitioners, and corporate and association
executives. Awards were given in several categories that
evening.
Terrie
Cowley received the 2011 Outstanding Public Advocacy Award. This award
commemorates Terrie's efforts to improve healthcare for patients and
other health consumers through specific patient groups and public
education activities. Mary Kaye Richter, FNIDC Director Emeritus and
Past Executive Director, National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias,
presented the award.
Click here to read Terrie’s remarks.
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Debbie at the races in Las Vegas with her favorite racer, John Force.
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I
have been a diagnosed TMJ sufferer for more than 26 years. My
story is a rather lengthy one. But the short version is, I still
have pain and now I have severe nerve damage. I always tried to
do the least invasive treatments and they seemed to work but only for a
short while. So, in the past 11 years I have had 4 surgeries to
my jaw. The first to just the left side in 2000 was to repair a
dislocated and torn disc. I was pretty much pain free for 5 years when
the “warranty” ran out. In 2005 I had the same surgery to the same
side of my jaw by the same surgeon, this time I was never pain free and
my surgeon refused to hear that I was in the same amount of pain after
the surgery as before.
Click here to read more of Debbie's Story.
We asked Debbie to tell us about something that brings joy to her life. She said:
"Although
most days can be quite unbearable living with TMJ one thing I enjoy
doing is going to the drag races with my husband. I might start
out having a bad day but always end up having a good day. I have a
great time at the races and no matter what, I especially enjoy cheering
on my favorite racer, John Force. This picture is a day at the
races in Las Vegas with my favorite racer. I can hardly wait ‘til
it’s time for racing again! It brings a smile to my face just
thinking about it!"
We
thank Dr. Daniel Laskin, the TMJA's Clinical Consultant, for summarizing
the following articles for us. Dr. Laskin is a Professor and Chairman
Emeritus at the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Richmond, VA.
Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders have Increased Fatigability of the Cervical Extensor Muscles
Do you have neck and shoulder pain in addition to pain in your temporomandibular joint? A recent study in the
Clinical Journal of Pain (Vol. 28, 2012, pgs 55-64)
offers a possible explanation for this condition. In this study, muscle
activity was analyzed electromyographically in healthy controls,
patients with myogenous (muscle) TMD and those with mixed (muscle and
joint) TMD while performing a muscle endurance test. The results showed
that the cervical muscles fatigued more quickly in the TMD patients than
in the control subjects. Thus, such patients may develop neck and
shoulder pain more easily than normal persons.
Evaluation
of the short-term effectiveness of education versus an occlusal splint
for the treatment of myofascial pain of the jaw muscles.
(JADA, Vol 143; pgs 47-53)
Although
occlusal splints are commonly used for the treatment of TMD patients
with myofascial pain, the reason for their effectiveness is still a
matter of debate. There are those who believe that they are effective
because they reduce chronic tooth clenching and grinding, whereas there
are others who feel that they work because of nonspecific effects linked
to the doctor-patient relationship, patient education and patient
expectations. In this study the authors compared the use of an occlusal
splint provided without accompanying education with an education program
that informed the patients that excessive muscle activity could cause
their pain and focused on avoiding oral habits, limited use of the jaw
and eating a soft diet. After 3 months, the education program was
slightly more effective in reducing spontaneous muscle pain, and there
was no difference in pain-free mouth opening, headache and pain on
chewing between the two groups. Although the authors conclude that an
education program may therefore be more effective than an occlusal
splint, in this study they did not include the usual education program
that should accompany splint therapy. Conclusion: further studies are
needed to determine if an education program plus splint therapy would be
better than either used alone.
TMJ Patient Clinical Trial Updates
We received updated information on the following two patient clinical trials:
This
trial has been completed. Study results are undergoing analysis,
but safety results show minimal side effects. Results in abstract form
will be distributed when available mid-2012.
Case
recruitment is still underway. Preliminary findings demonstrate that a
non-invasive biobehavioral training skills program is helping to both
identify the risk and prevent the development of chronic TMJ pain
disorders.
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On
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, Dr. Paul Christo hosted a radio show on TMJ
Disorders. Marion Blackburn, a TMJ patient and TMJA volunteer, as well
as Dr. Christian Stohler, Dean of the University of Maryland Dental
School and TMJA board member, were guests on the show. To listen to the
show live or to access podcasts, go to:
http://www.paulchristomd.com/?p=628.
Enjoy the Super Bowl with a bowl of soup. This recipe is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin's County Clare Inn. The
County Clare Irish Root Soup is creamy and comforting. The simple puree of sweet potatoes, carrots and leeks is a favorite of ours.
In our November TMJ News Bites,
we announced the death of two TMJ implant patients – Kim Fulenwider and
Lois Ruth Kooi. Many implant patients contacted us asking the cause of
death. They told us the reason for wanting to know is that they live in
fear that they, too, may die as a result of the implants. So to allay
fears we will share what we know. Ruth died of a heart
attack. Tragically, after many years of suffering, Kim took her
own life. Again, we extend our sympathies to the families of these two
friends of the TMJA.
On
December 29th we received a letter from Mrs. Betty Barry of Glenshaw,
Pennsylvania. She wrote about her daughter Melissa: “She died last year.
She suffered with TMJ for many years and was grateful for your
efforts.” We do not know the cause of death. Our condolences to the
Barry family.
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Our brochure, A Resource Guide for Temporomandibular Disorders, is now available as a
PDF on our website. You may also request
hard copies by mail.
We encourage you to share this brochure with your friends, health care
professionals and family as it is a great educational resource for
everyone.
NIH Funding Opportunities
The National Institutes of Health recently announced the following funding opportunities for scientists:
This
newsletter was funded through a restricted educational grant from
Purdue Pharma L.P. The content is solely the responsibility of The TMJ
Association, Ltd. and does not necessarily represent the official views
of Purdue Pharma L.P.
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