To become an expert in this complex discipline, I obtained a Master's degree in Temporo-Mandibular Disorders at the University of Naples. I participated in an in-depth study of the Temporo-Mandibular Joint with cadaver dissection at the University of Paris Descarte (Centre du don des corps). I obtained a Certificate of Completion from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry for participating in a TMD and Orofacial Pain course taught by Prof. Jeffrey P. Okeson.
My degrees in Medicine and Dentistry, have further helped me to deal, with increasing interest and continuing education, with these conditions involving the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and having multiple systemic connections.
Symptoms can vary, but often include tension and/or pain in the facial muscles, noise in the temporomandibular joints, neuralgia, ear pain, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, and headache.
Diagnosis of Temporo-Mandibular Disorders consists of careful listening to the patient's history and a thorough clinical examination to assess the health and function of the muscles and TMJ.
A major predisposing cause is bruxism, daytime and/or nighttime.
For daytime bruxism, we teach you important techniques for both managing tightness and tension in the masticatory muscles and performing self-massages in order to detangle the muscles and treat contractures.
For nocturnal bruxism, we investigate your muscle activity with the Bruxoff® a portable holter useful for monitoring the electromyographic (EMG) signals of the masseter muscles and heart rate during sleep.
Only if necessary, we will resort to the construction of a night splint in order to detrain your muscles, protect your teeth from wear and tear, and avoid overloading of the temporomandibular joint that could induce loss of regular condylar-meniscal relationships and osteo-degenerative processes.
If you perceive muscle tension when you wake up or in the evenings, if you often suffer from headaches, if you have recurring ear pain and your ENT specialist has ruled out other causes, if you hear noises when you open and close your mouth, if you perceive a continuous noise, such as buzzing, whistling, hissing, book a visit to find out if we can together solve your problems in a simple but meaningful way.
