Dr. Schiffman publishes the first evidence-based diagnostic criteria of TMD
Saint Paul, Minn., February 5, 2014 – The first evidence-based diagnostic criteria to better diagnose temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was published In the January 2014 edition of the Journal of Oral and Facial Pain and Headache. Dr. Eric Schiffman, D.D.S., M.S., inventor of the Restful Jaw®, was a co-lead author of this research with a group of 32 co-authoring scholars and doctors from North America, Europe and Australia.
Schiffman says, “We relied on science as a methodology to test our best assumptions and see if we were actually correct. This criterion aids health professionals in assessing and treating TMJ patients.”
The latest criteria, named DC/TMD, has two axes to the diagnosis: Physical and psychosocial assessment. The physical assessment uses questionnaires that differentiate the patient’s TMJ related pain into common subsets. Then the psychosocial assessment determines pain location, intensity, disability, psychological distress, and more.
“By diagnosing the person, beyond only the physical condition, a whole avenue of treatment options opens up,” says Schiffman. “Instead of prescribing mouth guards, exercises, or surgery, practitioners can consider trying bio-behavioral treatments including relaxation techniques and biofeedback to help the patient successfully manage their TMD. In short, you can better customize the treatment to fit the whole person, not just their disorder.”
This study was a part of Dr. Schiffman’s $8.2 million National Institute of Health grant. He applied these same rigorous scientific insights and clinical methods to develop and test the Restful Jaw device.
See the full published article here.
About The Restful Jaw® Company: The Restful Jaw® Company is a FDA-registered medical device manufacturer based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, manufacturing the Restful Jaw® support device. Our mission is to make innovative products for the dental practitioner to work more efficiently and to make the dental treatment experience more relaxing and restful for the patient. On the strength of our decades of experience in academic research and clinical testing, we provide you with safe, sturdy, and comforting dental equipment.