TMJ Services

I was in my 3rd year of dental school in 1972 when I first heard about night guards.  I found myself in a Clinic called “Oral Medicine” with a young professor who had already earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable, innovative, and intellectually honest on the faculty.  That morning, along with a handful of fellow students, I had the opportunity to observe patients being treated for what is […]

I have been treating patients with TMD, (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) for 50 years. In some ways it pains me to say that. It’s difficult to admit I have been practicing for 50 years. That’s a long time. It is also an undisputed testament to my age. On the other hand, I’m very proud to have […]

I have covered this question in previous articles but feel my explanations were inadequate.  First, the explanations were my own opinion.  Everyone has opinions and should be welcomed.  But opinions are not fact and I like to limit the information I share to facts.  What are facts?  There are four definitions according to Miriam-Webster.  something that actually exists or occurs : an actual event, situation, etc.  information or a piece of information presented […]

Orthodontists have a role in treating patients, both adults and children, who suffer the disparate symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, (TMD).  But it is not the role they have traditionally played.  It is widely accepted that moving teeth around can play a part in directing facial growth and development but not in all cases. Stated simply, 1. Timing is everything.  If you move teeth at a time that […]

TMD, (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is a single disorder with multiple symptoms. Its symptoms are constantly confused with other diseases including Migraine Headaches, Meniere’s Disease, and ear infections that have similar symptoms. Therefore, patients with TMD are frequently misdiagnosed and sent on months, years or decades of wild goose missions being treated by an increasing cadre […]

There is an interesting relationship between malocclusion and TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).  Malocclusion can cause TMD,  inversely, TMD can cause malocclusion.  This is not a play on words.  It’s a fact.    The position and health of the teeth and the position and health of the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) are inextricably connected because they are projections […]

The truth is no one knows what causes migraine headaches.  All the scientific papers I have read regarding migraine headaches have admitted that.  There are plenty of theories regarding what causes migraines, but there is no proof, only speculation and theories.  It is often quoted that migraine headaches are distinguished from other types of head […]

My interest in TMD was not initially of my own choosing.  After completing dental school and a master’s degree in anatomy/cell biology, at the University of Indiana, was honored to be accepted into a unique program offered at Vanderbilt University Hospital and Medical School combining the medical degree along with an internship/residency in Oral and […]

Last week I did consultations with two patients who reported visits to the Emergency Department of their local hospital because they didn’t know where else they might seek relief of their symptoms. Each of these patients had a different set of symptoms, but both suffered from the disparate symptoms of TMD. According to the International […]

By: Anthony Urbanek, DDS, MS, MD To treat TMD effectively all you need to do is decrease the inflammation within the Temporomandibular Joint enough to make the symptoms disappear.  This same principal works for any of the other joints in the body.  For example, if you have a painful knee, different kinds of knee pains […]