A Collaborative Approach Between Chiropractic and Dentistry to Address Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A Case Report

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this case report is to describe the chiropractic and dental comanagement of a patient with temporomandibular dysfunction, headaches, and myalgia. Clinical features: A 38-year-old black female patient presented for chiropractic care with a chief concern of jaw pain, tinnitus, headaches, and neck and shoulder soreness of 8 months' duration. The patient rated the pain a 6/10. The patient had a maximum mouth opening of 42 mm, graphed evidence of disk displacement, loss of translation on opening of the right temporomandibular joint viewed on the lateral radiograph, and numerous areas of point tenderness on the Kinnie-Funt Chief Complaint Visual Index. She had decreased lateral cervical flexion. Intervention and outcome: Dental treatment consisted of an anterior repositioning splint. Chiropractic care consisted of Activator treatment to the pelvis and the thoracic and cervical spine. Manual manipulation of the temporomandibular joint was performed along with a soft tissue technique intraorally on the lateral pterygoid. Postisometric relaxation in the head and neck region was also done. The patient was treated 6 times over 3 weeks. At the end of treatment, the patient had a pain rating of 0/10, maximum mouth opening of 49 mm, no tender points on the follow-up Kinnie-Funt, and increased cervical range of motion. Conclusion: The patient demonstrated increased mouth opening, decreased pain rating, improved Kinnie-Funt visual index, and an increased cervical lateral flexion range of motion after 3 weeks of a combination of chiropractic and dental care.

Temporomandibular Disorder Treated With Chiropractic Therapy

“…Chiropractic therapy may also provide additional benefits to patients. Many studies found that chiropractic techniques, including Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) and activators, are highly effective in reducing stress and improving the quality of life in patients with TMD [24][25][26][27]. Chiropractors play a crucial role in the early diagnosis and treatment of TMD and can further prevent the development of chronic TMD and degeneration.…”

Tratamento para disfunções temporomandibulares: uma revisão sistemática

“…The other analyzed articles were clinical case studies involving participants of both sexes (30,31,32,33,34) . These studies reported the effects of the following treatments on TMDs: myofunctional therapy (30) , global postural re-education (31) , occlusal adjustment using an orthopedic apparatus combined with electrostimulation (32) , orthodontic treatment (33) , and chiropractic combined with traditional therapy (34) . In all studies, the treatments conferred some kind of benefit to the participant, and an improvement in the signs and symptoms of TMDs were noticed.…”

“…For example, there were differences in the number of channels used for recording the muscular response, the amplitude and frequency range of the calibration signal, and the positioning of electrodes on the facial muscles. In addition, even though the studies' main focus was improvement in the patients' quality of life, only two of the articles addressed this theme (31,34) , and only one (31) used a quality-of-life protocol (WHOQOL-BREF) to check the effects of the treatment adopted.…”

Temporomandibular Joint Disk Displacements in Class II Malocclusion and Cervical Spine Alterations: Systematic Review and Report of a Hypodivergent Case with MRI Bone and Soft Tissue Changes

“…After filling out the Kinnie-Funt Chief Complaint Visual Index for Head, Neck and Facial Pain and TMJ dysfunction [35,36], we found that she ranked the following as her top three complaints: right sore throat without infection; "migraine"-type headache; tired, sore, neck muscles. The patient also noted additional complaints such as the following: inability to open the mouth smoothly and evenly; clicking, popping temporomandibular joints, pain in jaw muscles, balance problems ("vertigo"), ear pain without infection, upper and lower back pain.…”