Unfortunately, there is no cure for TMJ and that's one reason why it's so difficult to treat. It has to be managed like many medical conditions, not repaired like a tooth. Dentists are taught to restore the structure of the dental tissues ( teeth, gums and bone ) and they do a pretty good job of this. It is not usually within a dentist's training and nature to manage medical conditions.

          The ligaments and tissues inside the temporomandibular joint are made of tough collagen rich material and do not have direct blood supply. These tissues are fed by synovial fluid, the lubricating fluid inside the joint. Because there is no direct rich blood supply, the jaw joint tissues do not heal well and once they are damaged, they stay that way for a long time. This makes a cure for TMJ difficult.

          This disorder consists of several different types of problems, some of which can be more successfully treated than others. Since there are many reasons for temporomandibular joint disorders, there is not one simple cure for TMJ. This is why it is extremely important to find a TMJ dentist who is familiar with all of the causes and who does not always use the same cookie cutter treatment on all patients. Different patients may require different treatments.

          The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. Although he can not guarantee a cure for TMJ, Dr. Padolsky is experienced in this area of Dentistry and teaches other dentists on this subject. If you wish to schedule a consultion with Dr. Padolsky, our TMJ dentist, call 404-874-7428.