Posteriorization of the Mandibular Condyle, Compression of the Retrodiscal Tissue and Anteriorization of the Articular Disc as a cause of Neurologic Pain. Recovery of the Physiological Relationship of the Head of the Mandible with the Articular Disc. Series of clinical cases.

In this page we present some of the physiological neuromuscular foundations for the treatment of temporomandibular joint pathologies, it was also presented the importance of differential diagnosis and also the use of bioinstrumentation as surface electromyography and computerized kinesiography.

Images of patients related to their symptoms were also presented. Several etiological factors such as trauma in early childhood, especially green stick fracture, recapture of the intra-articular discs in reducible displacements, and interrelation between craniomandibular disorders and the vertebral column.

When we talk about the treatment of TMJ pathologies we have to understand that there are different approaches. The proposal for a palliative treatment is the symptomatic treatment, that is, a treatment that seeks to block the symptoms. It is given through the administration of drugs, such as analgesics, anti-inflammatory and myo relaxing drugs. The restorative approach is the treatment that seeks when possible to correct or heal what is damaged. To know what is wrong, a differential diagnosis is necessary. This diagnosis must always be made prior to the treatment proposal.

A 19-year-old female patient presents at the clinic with complaints of constant headache, neck pain and swelling in the face, back of the head pain and migraines.

According to the anamnesis filled out by the patient herself, in the initial consultation she reports clicks in the jaw, dizziness, ear pain and low back pain.

The patient also reports bruxism and nighttime clenching.

The patient also refers to retro-ocular pain on the right side, pain in both shoulders, and pain in the TMJ (right temporomandibular joint).

The patient reports cracks in the TMJ on the right side, sensation of ear covering, strange sounds and non-specific facial pain.

The patient claims difficulty in opening the mouth and difficulty in chewing.

Summary report written by the patient

In the middle of the year 2014, I had a routine consultation at a dentist to clean my teeth and I reported cracking and pain in the jaw, she did not pay attention, she said it was normal and it would soon pass.

Since then I started with severe headaches, dizziness, ear pain, back pain, my feet (more in  my heel), pain in my eye as well, and in days of painful crises, my right eye would hardly open and the right side of the my face all swollen (mumps type).

After this worsening we looked for an TMJ specialist who gave me an acrylic plate, thin and only for my upper teeth.

I used the splint for six months and after that all the symptoms worsened.

We looked for another specialist, who made the same acrylic plate for the upper teeth, but in a very different size, it was a thick plate.

In the beginning it helped, after six months, all the symptoms started to appear stronger.

We consulted a new specialist, who made a new type of appliance, with the wires and the blue acrylic on the side (I took it to show to you), it was what had helped me the most, using it for 24 hours, improved pain, even dizziness , but after a year of use everything returned and with all the pain still stronger, however during that one year of treatment, despite the improvements I could not make any kind of physical effort even not strong  my jaw swelled (gym, climbing stairs, picking up weight …)

In March 2017, a year and four months of use of the appliance, the professional said it was time to start “weaning”, start leaving the device and use only to sleep because I should already be good, I commented that it had gotten worse and she insisted that it was the time to be well…

It was then that we looked for another specialist, this one said that the plate in use was not suitable for the problem and made a new plate of acrylic that judged the correct one for the presented problem, was thin and of acrylic, equal to the first one I already used, only for the upper teeth, I immediately told to my mother and to him that this plate would not solve, since I had already used identical plate in previous treatment, he insisted saying yes, that was the correct one.

With the use of the device I also did  hot compresses and shocks of physiotherapy and also needles, which helped a lot in the neck muscles that hurt a lot, but this device from the beginning did not help, the headaches that felt every day were even worse, I’ve had more dizziness.

Habitual occlusion of the patient on the day of the consultation.

Upper and lower occlusal views of the patient on the day of the consultation.

Initial panoramic radiograph of the patient before treatment.

TMJ laminography in habitual occlusion and in open mouth.

The laminography of the temporomandibular joints shows a modification of the axis of growth of the mandibular condyles caused by a trauma in the early childhood, (green stick fracture).

Important retro position of the jaw mandibular heads especially on the left side causing an important retrodiscal compression.

Lateral radiograph of the patient in habitual occlusion before treatment.

Lateral and cervical radiograph of the patient in habitual occlusion before treatment. Note the loss of cervical lordosis, rectification of the cervical spine.

Frontal radiography of the patient in habitual occlusion before treatment.

Dynamic electromyographic record of the patient in habitual occlusion.

It is important to understand that surface electromyography is an additional tool in diagnosis, and not the only determinant, is a very interesting tool to be able to control the evolution in our own patient during the course of treatment.

 MRI: sagittal T1 slices of the left TMJ closed mouth before treatment. There is an anteroversion of the mandibular condyle. The mandibular heads are in retroposition.

The articular disc is displaced anteriorly, with reduction in maneuvers in open mouth.

Important retrodiscal compression.

The magnetic nuclear resonance of the patient in habitual occlusion demonstrates the anterior dislocation of both articular discs, retroposition of the mandibular heads and modification of the axis of growth caused by traumatism in the early childhood (Structural modifications of the mandibular condylar process as one of the sequels of traumatism. in infancy). Dislocation is reducible (open mouth resonance not included in this post).

 MRI: sagittal T1 slices of the left TMJ closed mouth before treatment. There is an anteroversion of the mandibular condyle. The mandibular heads are in retroposition.

The articular disc is displaced anteriorly, with reduction in maneuvers in open mouth.

Important retrodiscal compression.

 MRI: sagittal T1 slices of the right TMJ closed mouth before treatment. There is an anteroversion of the mandibular condyle. The mandibular heads are in retroposition.

The articular disc is displaced anteriorly, with reduction in maneuvers in open mouth.

Important retrodiscal compression.

 MRI: sagittal T1 slices of the right TMJ closed mouth before treatment. There is an anteroversion of the mandibular condyle. The mandibular heads are in retroposition.

The articular disc is displaced anteriorly, with reduction in maneuvers in open mouth.

Important retrodiscal compression.

MRI: T1 frontal slices of right and left temporomandibular joints, closed mouth in habitual occlusion before treatment.

The frontal slice of the right and left temporomandibular joint evidences a severe loss of joint space.

Tomographic examination of temporo-mandibular joints.

Right and left sagittal slices in habitual occlusion prior to treatment.

Tomographic examination of temporo-mandibular joints.

Multiplanar reconstruction – left  TMJ in habitual occlusion before treatment.

Important posteriorisation of the mandible head.

Tomographic examination of temporo-mandibular joints.

Multiplanar reconstruction – right  TMJ in habitual occlusion before treatment.

Important posteriorisation of the mandible head.

When our proposal is a restorative treatment, we have a FIRST PHASE where the goal when possible is to heal the joint. Sometimes we can only improve it or prevent it from getting worse. Knowing what we can treat and what we cannot treat and the limitations of each individual case is very important.

To correctly evaluate the maxillomandibular relationship we should begin to consider the physiological position of mandibular rest.

Physiological rest is a concept applicable to all the muscles of the body.

The stomatognathic musculature is no exception.

The patient’s masticatory muscles were electronically deprogrammed and a new resting neuromuscular physiological position was recorded.

The patient has a pathological free space of 7.7 mm.

The patient also had a 0.6 mm mandibular retroposition.

Occlusion of the patient with the DIO (intraoral device)

With the record obtained with the jaw tracker an intraoral device (DIO) was made to three dimensionally reposition the mandible.

The NEUROMUSCULAR PHYSIOLOGICAL position was recorded in the form of an occlusal bite record, which was later used to make a DIO (intraoral device)

In the first phase the intraoral devices are recalibrated and / or changed according to each specific case as the jaw, muscles and TMJ improve.

Comparative frontal postural images.

The patient was derived along with TMJ pathology treatment for a physiotherapy team in the city where she resides. Along with mandibular repositioning the conditioning of all postural chains is necessary.

Each patient needs a specific derivation according to the particular case.

Dynamic electromyographic record of the patient with the DIO (intraoral device) in physiological neuromuscular occlusion.

Another cineciographic record to control the DIO (intraoral device) in a physiological neuromuscular position as the device is changed or recalibrated.

The patient did not report any more symptoms coming from TMJ (temporomandibular joint). The electromyographic and kinesiographic records objectively showed improvement of the neuromuscular function.

I asked for the second nuclear magnetic resonance to objectively evaluate the physiological relationship between the mandibular condyles and the articular disc.

 

MRI: Comparison of left sagittal cut T1, closed mouth, before physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same left TMJ, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

MRI: Comparison of left sagittal cut T1, closed mouth, before physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same left TMJ, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

MRI: Comparison of left sagittal cut T1, closed mouth, before physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same left TMJ, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

MRI: Comparison of left sagittal cut T1, closed mouth, before physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same left TMJ, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

MRI: Comparison of right sagittal cut T1, closed mouth, before physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same right TMJ, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

MRI: Comparison of right sagittal cut T1, closed mouth, before physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same right TMJ, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

MRI: Comparison of right sagittal cut T1, closed mouth, before physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same right TMJ, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

MRI: Comparison of right sagittal cut T1, closed mouth, before physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same right TMJ, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

RNM: Comparison of FRONTAL SLICE  T1, left TMJ, closed mouth, before the physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same left TMJ, FRONTAL SLICE T1, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

RNM: Comparison of FRONTAL SLICE  T1, right TMJ, closed mouth, before the physiological neuromuscular treatment, and the same right TMJ, FRONTAL SLICE T1, closed mouth, after the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

Recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

Comparative panoramic radiographs of the patient before starting the treatment and at the beginning of the second phase of the treatment. At this time the removal of the third molars included can also be done.

Comparative laminographies of the patient before starting the treatment and at the beginning of the second phase of the treatment. The joint decompression can be observed.

Laminographs and or COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHS, even showing decompression DO NOT SHOW the position of the articular disc. The position of the articular disc and the presence or not of osseous edema of the mandibular condyle can only be evaluated with nuclear magnetic resonance. The result or not of the recovery of the Physiological Relationship of the Jaw Head to the Articular Disc can be evaluated by comparing the MRI after the first phase and the comparison with the initial MRI.

Comparative frontal radiographs of the patient before starting the treatment and at the beginning of the second phase of the treatment.

When the first phase is completed, we verify if the subsequent control images correspond to our goals set in the initial diagnosis. We know that there are cases where we can improve the case, and others where we can prevent it from worsening, and others where we can only treat the pain.

The patient did not report any symptoms from the temporomandibular joint. The comparative MRI showed the recovery of the physiological relation of the head of the mandible with the articular disc.

The electromyographic and kinesiographic records objectively showed improvement of the neuromuscular function.

In the case of positive results from the first phase we can start a second phase of treatment to remove the device that is used permanently during the first phase of the treatment. For this we can perform a three-dimensional orthodontic, a physiological neuromuscular rehabilitation or the combination of both. Always maintaining the mandibular location in balance with the muscular planes, temporomandibular joint and dental planes.

It was decided to start the SECOND PHASE of the treatment to remove the DIO (intraoral device), maintaining the physiological neuromuscular occlusion.

In this case we will move to a three-dimensional orthodontic, where the teeth are erupted to the new physiological neuromuscular position.

A three-dimensional orthodontics needs to maintain the three-dimensional position of the mandible in balance with its bone and muscle planes achieved in the FIRST PHASE, and whenever possible maintain the Physiological Relationship of the Jaw Head with the Articular Disc.
It is fundamental to understand, that this passage has to be made keeping the DIO (intraoral device, together with the different devices to be used for the dental eruption)

Patient’s statement:

After long three years of failure looking for a treatment for my problem in my city, I found Dr. Lidia in a simple Google search.

I went to her and with a proposal completely different from the others, we started the new treatment immediately.

I was in an advanced stage, where I had  headache all day, pain in the ear, swollen eye (often unable to open), right side of the swollen face too (like a mumps), pain in the neck, pain in my back and also on foot.

I had no quality of life, because I was in pain all the time. When I started the treatment in the first two days I did not feel any more headaches. With the monthly follow up, adjusting as my body asked, I no longer felt any pain in anything and I returned to a normal life.

Today I am in the middle of the second phase, super anxious to go to the end and every month that passes I feel better and better.

Child with Otalgia (earache) and Conductive Hearing Loss: when measuring makes the difference. Normalization of hearing thresholds. First and second phase. Case report.

Symptoms of mild hearing loss occurring in childhood often go unnoticed. It is vital the early detection of this deficiency.

Various physical and psychological activities of children and adolescents may be affected due to hearing impairment.

The conductive hearing loss resulting from Eustachian tube dysfunction INITIATED BY  TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS  is OFTEN NOT CONSIDERED.

It is vital the early detection of this deficiency.

There are two general types of hearing loss, conductive and sensorineural.

Conductive hearing loss results from disruption in the passage of sound from the external ear to the oval window.

Anatomically, this pathway includes the ear canal, tympanic membrane, and ossicles. Such loss may be due to cerumen impaction, tympanic membrane perforation, otitis media, osteosclerosis , intraaural muscle dysfunction, or displacement of the ossicles by the malleolar ligament.

Sensorineural hearing loss results from otology abnormalities beyond the oval window. Such abnormalities may affect the sensory cells of the cochlea or the neural fibers of the 8^th cranial nerve. Hearing loss with age (presbycusis) is an example. Eight cranial nerve tumors may also lead to such hearing loss.

Male patient, eleven years old,  arrived to the clinic for consultation referring headache, pain on the  back of the head, shoulder pain, neck pain, hand numbness and tingling  in hands and LIMITATION OF MOUTH OPENING.

The patient reports pain in the left ear and sensation of ear blockage especially on the left side. He also has tinnitus in both ears and DECREASE OF HEARING IN BOTH EARS.

Any hearing loss reported by the patient, must be evidenced by an audiometry.

Patient’s medical history: is relevant to this case the antecedent trauma on the chin at early childhood. It is also important to consider his recurrent infections of  ear and throat and that when he was eight months old he had a severe pneumonia that required hospitalization.

Images of the patient’s habitual occlusion. Upper and lower oclusal view. Patient’s photos:  frontal, profile and smiling on the day of consultation.

Patient’s initial panoramic radiograph

Patient temporomandibular joint laminography before treatment: we can observe the superior and posterior position of the left condylar process in the articular cavity when the jaw is in the position of  maximum intercuspidation.

In the maximum opening position, we can observe the anterior angulation of the left articular processes.

Patient’s habitual image occlusion before treatment, in the consultation day.We may observe here an important overbite.

It is evident the lack of space for the correct positioning of the  left maxillary canine.

Superior and lower oclusal view of the patient before treatment. It is evident the lack of space for the correct positioning of the left maxillary canine.

Patient’s lateral radiograph together with the profile image before treatment.

Retrognathic profile and rectification of the cervical spine.

MRI T1: Sagittal slice, left and right TMJ closed mouth before treatment.

We can observe anterior facets on the right and left mandibular heads.

In the right TMJ the disk is slightly anteriorly dislocated. The anterior dislocation is more evident on the left TMJ, with the head of the mandible backed on the retrodiscal  zone.

MRI T1: Sagittal slice, left and right TMJ open mouth before treatment.

We can observe anterior facets on both mandibular heads.

Both mandibular condyles cannot translate, reducing mouth opening.

Initial kinesiographic record: loss of speed when the patient opens and closes his mouth. There is no coincidence between the opening and closing trajectories in the sagittal view of the record. Limited mouth opening as the patient can open only 32.9 mm.

Surface electromyography of the patient in habitual occlusion in which are measured:

Anterior right and left temporalis

Right and left masseter

Right and left digastrics

Right and left superior trapezius

Activation of the digastrics in closure, these muscles should only must be in activity along the opening movement

During the examination there was an activation of the right and left upper trapezius even when the patient was instructed to lower his shoulders.He had activated both trapezius throughout the examination.

The patient reports pain in the left ear and sensation of ear blockage, especially on the left side. He also has tinnitus and DECREASE OF HEARING IN BOTH EARS.

ANY HEARING LOSS REPORTED BY THE PATIENT MUST BE EVIDENCED BY AN AUDIOMETRY.

An audiogram is produced by using a relative measure of the patient hearing as compared with an established “normal “value. It is a graphic representation of auditory threshold responses that are obtained from testing a patient’s hearing with pure-tone stimuli. The parameters of the audiogram are frequency, as measured in cycles per second (HZ) and intensity, as measured in dB­­­­.

The first audiometry of the patient revealed a mild hearing loss in the left ear and a moderate hearing loss in his right ear.

Symptoms of mild hearing loss occurring in childhood often go unnoticed. It is vital the early detection of this deficiency.

Hearing loss is classified as mild, in which the ear is unable to detect sounds below 40 decibels which makes it  difficult to understand human speech.

In moderate loss, the sounds below 70 decibels are not heard.

We recorded the mandibular rest position after electronic deprogramming, together with the information of the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to orient our decisions of the bite registration, for the three-dimensional construction of the DIO (intraoral device).

The patient has a pathological free space of 8.6 mm and 8 mm of mandibular retro position.

The degree of compression determinates de reaction of the patient.

The retrusion of the mandible, whether it is iatrogenically induced, or a result of malocclusion, often results in otalgia due to excessive compression of the neurovascular retrodiscal tissues. The patient’s impression is ear pain.

I informed the parents of the patient, that at this stage, I was only worried about the health of the patient, and focused on  improving the functions, the symptoms and controlling the conductive hearing loss.

Hearing loss resulting from Eustachian tube dysfunction, initiated by craniomandibular disorders is usually subjective.

For this reason there is a need for an objective control by audiometry.

 I explained that I would not make any orthodontic intervention at this stage to include in the arcade the canine that was misaligned and out of space. I told them  that I would take care of it later and in this case I would not have the need to extract teeth.

The installed device is controlled through surface electromyography to evaluate the function.

Patient’s second audiometry  shows normal thresholds in the left ear and a mild hearing loss in his right ear.

Comparing the first and second audiometry of the patient during treatment.

Thresholds normalization of the right ear and thresholds improvement of the left ear.

Structural lesions may produce functional changes which in turn increases the structural changes.

Structural and functional changes.

Even a decompressed joint, takes time to recover

Some structural lesions can be recovered, but  OTHERS CANNOT.

Even a decompressed joint, takes time to recover

Some structural lesions can be recovered, but OTHERS CANNOT.

It takes time to stabilize the muscles during treatment, different patients, different ages and different pathologies.

Patient’s third audiometry shows NORMAL thresholds in the left ear and NORMAL thresholds in his right ear.

Comparing the first, second and third audiometry of the patient during treatment.
Thresholds normalization in the right and left ear.

At this time with the normalization of the conductive hearing loss, the remission of symptoms and improvement of the images from the exams, we began the second phase through a three-dimensional orthodontics.

Sequence of the three-dimensional orthodontic in the second stage of treatment of TMJ disorders in this particular patient. REMEMBER THAT NOT EVERY CASE WILL ALLOW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SECOND STAGE.

Sequence of the three-dimensional orthodontic in the second stage of treatment of TMJ disorders in this particular patient. REMEMBER THAT NOT EVERY CASE WILL ALLOW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SECOND STAGE.

Patient’s lateral radiograph together with the profile image during treatment.

Aesthetic and not retrognathic profile as at the beginning of treatment.

There was not a recovery of the physiological lordosis, but there surely was an improvement of the cervical spine.

Sequence of the three-dimensional orthodontic in the second stage of treatment of TMJ disorders in this particular patient. REMEMBER THAT NOT EVERY CASE WILL ALLOW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SECOND STAGE.

Sequence of the three-dimensional orthodontic in the second stage of treatment of TMJ disorders in this particular patient. REMEMBER THAT NOT EVERY CASE WILL ALLOW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SECOND STAGE.

Removal of the DIO (intra oral device) at the current stage of the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Images without the DIO (intraoral device) and completion of the treatment of the three-dimensional orthodontic in neurophysiological occlusion.

Comparative images of the upper and lower oclusal views from the patient before and after completion of the first and the second phase of the neurophysiologic treatment.

The fourth audiometry of the patient after completion of the two phases of treatment maintains the normal thresholds in both the left ear and the right ear.

Part of the sequence of the three-dimensional orthodontics in the second stage of the treatment of TMJ disorders in this particular patient.

Comparative panoramic radiographs: before treatment and after completion of the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Comparative of lateral radiographs of the patient: at the beginning of the treatment in habitual occlusion, after the  completion of the three-dimensional orthodontic in neurophysiological occlusion and six years after the completion of treatment control.

Patient’s kinesiographic records comparison: before and after treatment.

The mouth opening  of the patient improved from 32.9 mm to 38.9 mm and it also reached an excellent speed regarding  mouth opening and closing.

Patient’s electromyography records comparison: before, during and after treatment.

Patient’s kinesiographic records after electronically mandibular deprogramming comparison: before treatment the habitual trajectory is not coincident with the neuromuscular trajectory.

After treatment the habitual trajectory is tridimensional coincident with the neuromuscular trajectory.

Comparing the first, second, third and forth  audiometry of the patient.
Thresholds normalization of right and left ear.

Various physical and psychological activities of children and adolescents may be affected due to hearing impairment. The conductive hearing loss resulting from Eustachian tube dysfunction INITIATED BY  TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS  is OFTEN NOT CONSIDERED.

It is vital the early detection of this deficiency.

When the patient ended all the treatment, and being still a teenager, he left the following testament:

My dentist referred me to the orthodontist because I had a crooked canine. So, after a panoramic radiograph she suspected that I could have a TMJ problem. Then she referred me to Porto Alegre to do a MRI, and from that exam it was found something that indicated a TMJ problem. So then I started the tratment with Dr. Lidia Yavich, that also investigated the tinnitus and my hearing problem.

When I was little I felt and hit the chin but my parents didn’t know that it could affect my TMJ.

I suffered a lot from an earache and sore throat. I had even scheduled an ear surgery but after six months of treatment it was no longer necessary to do it. Today I am doing well. I have a good hearing and I don’t have any more the tinnitus and the throat pain. I am happy with this treatment, thanks to God and to Dra. Lidia Yavich.

Here follows the testimony of the same patient seven years after the completion of the treatment:

Today, more than seven years after the end of the TMJ treatment with Dr. Lidia, and thanks to the God-given gifts to her, I haven’t been suffering any more with the earaches nor with the throat pain or the hearing loss. I had had, before the treatment, the indication to make an ear operation since I was loosing my hearing and that was not necessary with the TMJ treatment because during the treatment I was monitorated by exams that had proven that my hearing improved. Today I live a normal life, without having problems with those things from the past. I thanks the treatment done by Dr. Lidia which has healed me and improved my life.

 

Neuromuscular Physiological Treatment in a Patient with Headache and Pain in the Temporomandibular Joints. Case report without possibility of Disc Recapture: first and second phase.

 

I often observe the debate on etiology and therapeutics, especially in TMJ dysfunction discussions groups, which are integrated by patients and professionals. These groups are active not only in Brazil but in several countries and communities from around the world.

I hope this space will add, strengthen or clarify those discussions.

The professional who treats patients with TMJ pathology has to take into account, at the moment of studying the clinical case, the patient’s particularities and the anatomical structures that are involved and provoking pain and affliction to our patient.

Even if the professional is scrupulous, evolutions can be different from patient to patient. That is why the professional has to investigate carefully which are the structures that can improve or even heal and which are the ones that cannot improve or still which ones we do not know if can be improved in the process of treatment.

Recognizing what we do not know is perhaps more important than recognizing  what we do know: and the communication of this understanding to the patient is essential.

When we start a treatment we must be certain of the structures we can meliorate, or even prevent of getting worse  and we also must know which structures  we DO NOT HAVE THE CONDITION TO MELIORATE and we certainly must communicate that to the patient. Within this framework, the most important thing is to investigate if  we can improve the quality of life of the patient.

Female patient with 45 years old arrives to the clinic for consultation suffering from headache every day, also suffering from neck pain and pain in the back of the neck, pain in both temporomandibular joints and severe pain on the shoulders.

Pain is more intense on the left side.

The patient reports a sensation of plugged ears and hearing decrease which was confirmed by an audiometry that refers normal hearing at  4KHZ and a severe sensorineural hearing loss at 6 KHZ and moderate at 8 KHz in the right ear.

The left ear has normal hearing thresholds.

The patient presents a buzzing in the left ear, and peculiar noises.

Patient’s habitual occlusion in the consultation day. Note patient’s overbite.

The patient reports that she wakes up with pain in the teeth, because of clenching.

Patient’s upper and lower oclusal view before treatment. Note the wear of the lower anterior teeth. The patient states that have made maxillary anterior teeth reconstruction with resin due to attrition caused by bruxism.

Patient’s panoramic radiograph before treatment. Absence of teeth 18,28,48.

Tooth 38 in a horizontal position, impacted

Reabsorption of the alveolar ridges.

Radiographic image of the right and left temporomandibular joints in closed and open mouth. Flattening of the anterior superior and posterior superior surface of the left articular process.

Patient’s lateral radiograph in habitual occlusion before treatment. Rectification of the cervical spine.

Patient’s frontal radiograph in habitual occlusion before treatment.

Patient’s lateral radiograph and cervical spine in habitual occlusion before treatment. Rectification of the cervical spine.

Patient’s computerized kinesiographic record before treatment. Patient without mouth opening restriction. Decreased closing speed, typical graph of an incisal guide that interferes with the closing trajectory.

Sagittal slices of the right closed TMJ. The mandible heads presents irregularities and cortical and subcortical sclerosis. Degenerative process.

The right articular disc shows small size, change in signal intensity and degenerative morphostructural aspect. It is anteriorly displaced.

Sagittal slices of the right open TMJ. The articular disc shows small size, is anteriorly displaced WITHOUT REDUCTION WHEN THE MOUTH OPENS.

Another sagittal internal slice of the right closed TMJ showing cortical bone irregularities. Degenerative aspect.

The articular disc shows small size, change in signal intensity and degenerative morphostructural aspect. It is anteriorly displaced, WITHOUT REDUCTION WHEN THE MOUTH OPENS.

Another sagittal slice of the right open TMJ. The articular disc shows small size, is anteriorly displaced WITHOUT REDUCTION WHEN THE MOUTH OPENS.

Sagittal slices of the left closed TMJ. Mild contours irregularity with rectification of the superior aspect of the mandibular condyle. The articular disc presents reduced dimensions.Alteration in orientation of the mandibular condilar axis because of traumatism in infancy. The disc is anteriorly displaced, WITH REDUCTION WHEN THE MOUTH OPENS.

Sagittal slice of the left open TMJ. THE DISC REDUCES WHEN THE MOUTH OPENS.

Frontal slice of the right and left temporomandibular joints, closed mouth. Note the cortical discontinuity on the right side already registered in the sagittal sections of the same side. The left side shows a medial disc deviation.

The masticatory muscles of the patient were electronically deprogrammed and a DIO (intraoral device) was constructed in neurophysiological position. In other publications computerized kinesiographic methods were mentioned.

In occlusion most often the healthy or pathological condition of the inter-oclusal space is not objectively considered. In this case the pathological free space of the patient is almost 7, 4 mm

With this data and ALWAYS WITH THE INFORMATION OF THE IMAGES OBTAINED WITH THE MRI, we built a DIO (intraoral device) to keep the three-dimensionally recorded position.

One year after the beginning of neurophysiological treatment, the patient had to interrupt the treatment to undergo a spine surgery.

The patient returned 10 months after the interval, recovered from the intervention. The patient was  then again documented to assess any changes that might have happened during the interruption and the spine surgery.

Patient’s postural comparative frontal images: before treatment and restarting therapeutic after the spine surgery.

Patient’s postural profil comparative images: before treatment and restarting therapeutic after the spine surgery.

The masticatory muscles of the patient were AGAIN electronically deprogrammed and NEW DIO (intraoral device) was built in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s panoramic radiograph with the DIO (intraoral device) built in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s right and left temporomandibular joints laminography  in closed and open mouth  with the DIO built in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s lateral radiograph with the DIO built in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s lateral and cervical spine radiograph with the DIO built in neurophysiological position.

PATIENT’S ANALYSIS AT THIS STAGE OF THE TREATMENT.

Patient with degenerative processes not only in the temporomandibular  joints but also in the cervical spine and lumbar spine which led her to surgery.

Inability to recapture of the right TMJ disk. Whereby this was an objective that was not taken into account.

Remission of symptoms and improvement of  life quality.

Physiological mandibular posture, recovery of free space interocclusal through the DIO (Intraoral device).

In this particular case even WITHOUT DISC RECAPTURE (CONDITION THAT WAS EXPLAINED IN THE DIAGNOSIS)  the patient can pass into the second phase, always taking into account that we should protect the joint during the night and during physical activity.

Each case is unique and the decision to move to a second phase also needs an individualized study.

It was decided to begin the SECOND PHASE of treatment to remove the DIO (intraoral device), keeping the neurophysiological occlusion.

For this we used a three-dimensional orthodontics, where the teeth are erupted in order to reach the new neurophysiological position.

In the second phase, in this case the three-dimensional orthodontic the patient is monitored and electronically deprogrammed. The device is often  recalibrated or replaced, to maintain the position obtained in the first phase.

In the second phase, in this case the three-dimensional orthodontic the patient is monitored and electronically deprogrammed. The device is often recalibrated or replaced, to maintain the position obtained in the first phase.

In this sequence the patient is still with the DIO (intraoral device)  in the mouth.

Removal of the DIO (intra oral device)

Completion of the second phase of the neurophysiological treatment in this case with a three-dimensional orthodontics. 

The second phase is here understood as the three- dimensional orthodontics, restorative, prosthetic procedures in accordance with each clinical case in order to remove the DIO, while maintaining the neurophysiological position obtained in the first phase.

Patient’s upper and lower oclusal views after completion of the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Patient’s right and left temporomandibular joints laminography in closed and open mouth  in neurophysiological position after finalization of the treatment.

Patient’s panoramic radiograph in neurophysiological occlusion in the completion of treatment. The tooth 38 that was in a horizontal and impacted position was extracted since the patient had no more symptoms of joint pain.

Patient’s lateral radiograph in neurophysiological occlusion in the completion of the second phase of neurophysiological treatment.

Temporomandibular joints MRI after de finalization of the second phase.

We must remember that this is a patient with degenerative processes and impossibility of recapture of the right TMJ disc, the left disk is so damaged that it does not fulfill its function.

The patient no longer has symptoms.

The final MRI shows no worsening of the situation and in the frontal slice it shows a better three-dimensional location of the mandibular condyle and cortical improvement.

Patient’s lateral comparative radiographs: at the beginning of treatment in habitual occlusion, during treatment after the spine surgery interruption with the DIO (intraoral device) in neurophysiological occlusion and after completion of the three-dimensional orthodontics in neurophysiological occlusion.

Comparative records of mandibular rest position at the beginning of the treatment to build the DIO (intraoral device), and at the end of the second phase of the treatment (tridimensional orthodontics) to build a DIO (intraoral device) for night use.

Notice that in the beginning of the treatment the patient had a pathological interocclusal space of 7.4mm, and in the record at the end of the second phase for the nocturne DIO the patient has 3.3mm of free interocclusal space.

We have to take into account that  the free interocclusal space IS A THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACE, AND WHEN WE HAVE STRUCTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE JOINTS, THE SPACE IS NOT EQUAL ON THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT SIDE.

Patient’s  comparative profil postural images: at the beginning of treatment in habitual occlusion, during treatment after the spine surgery and treatment interruption with the DIO (intraoral device) in neurophysiological occlusion and after completion of the three-dimensional orthodontics in neurophysiological occlusion.

Patient’s frontal comparative postural images: at the beginning of treatment in habitual occlusion, during treatment after the spine surgery and treatment interruption with the DIO (intraoral device) in neurophysiological occlusion and after completion of the three-dimensional orthodontics in neurophysiological occlusion.

I had made several appointments with specialists, such as otorhinolaryngologist, dentists and maxilo-facial surgeons. However, all of them were without success and that is when I looked for Dr. Lidia to whom I reported the following symptoms.

I used to wake up every day with a lot of pain on the left side, both in the head and neck and I used to feel a rigidity on the neck and shoulder. In that time I used to take painkillers every single day in the morning. I also used to suffer of a serious problem of bruxism and because of that I wore out my front teeth, both the upper and lower teeth, and I had to restore them. I used to feel a lot of pain from the tremendous pressure that I used to make between the lower and upper part of my mouth. Another symptom was the high sensitivity on the teeth when I drank cold liquids. I felt as my ears were always blocked in such a way that my hearing decreased. I also used to hear a noise, especially on the left side, which sounded like a continuous whistle.

I also told the doctor that when I was a child I was hit with a brick, in the middle of a child’s play.

After reporting all that she asked me to make many exams and many of them were made in the MY Clinic and finally she told me that I had a problem in the TMJ. I started a treatment with her in 2011. I started to use an acrylic splint on my lower teeth day and night, all the time, taking it of only for its hygiene.

The pain that I used to feel so much decreased and in short time I did not feel it any more. Doctor Lidia had to adjust the orthotic monthly, making exams in her clinic until it reached the optimal height. On the next year from when I started the treatment I had to interrupt it for 8 or 10 months because I had to make a column surgery but I returned to the treatment as soon as I was well enough. I kept on treatment for one more year and after that I started the second part of the treatment with braces.

At the time that the treatment ended I did not need to use any more braces nor the full time orthotic. Today I need to use the orthotic only when I do physical activities and to sleep. I never again felt the horrible pain that I used to feel. I also never felt again the sensation of having blocked ears and happily the noise reduced. Today I am very happy that I do not have to take daily painkillers and that I do not have any pain. I am very grateful to doctor Lidia because she discovered and solved my problem.

For the interested coleagues in this training: the course starts at the September 1st.
Please write to the email for more informations:  lidiayavich@gmail   ou  lidiayavich@clinicamy.com.br
+55 5130612237    +55 5133322124       This course will be given in Portuguese

Reestablishment of the Bone Marrow Signal in a case of Avascular Necrosis of the Mandibular Head. Monitoring two years after treatment.

Preparing a new publication of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) study and investigation page, I received the new MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) that I requested for the patient presented in the last clinical case published.

I decided that it was high priority to publish this follow up before the next clinical case.

Recapitulating the clinical situation and the images of the patient after treatment:

The patient had remission of symptoms.

The patient had improved function and recovered the vertical dimension.

The patient had improved aesthetics (recovering the vertical dimension).

The patient had recovered the mouth opening, without presenting limitation as observed before treatment.

The patient had improved her posture.

Is important to highlight that in this case, with discs of reduced dimensions lying anteriorly displaced WITHOUT REDUCTION when the mouth opened, the goal was to decompress, to recover the vertical dimension, and to wait for the medullary signal recovery by decompression, remembering that all bacteriological and rheumatologic research was negative.

At the end of treatment the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the patient showed a MEDULAR SIGNAL IMPROVEMENT, yet still far from satisfactory recovery in terms of image, EVEN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the improvement of symptomatology.

I will post some of the most remarkable initial MRI images before the treatment, to review the clinical case in detail enter in this link.

This publication will emphasis the images, a fundamental tool for understanding what we really can achieve beyond the patient’s clinical improvement.

Understanding the positive or negative changes in the structures affected in TMJ pathologies is critical in the comprehension of the etiology that led to the deterioration of the patient’s structures and consequently triggered the symptoms that affected the quality of life of our patients.

REMEMBERING THAT THIS IMPLIES A DIFFERENTIAL AND UNIQUE DIAGNOSIS FOR EACH CASE.

MRI: sagittal slice of the right TMJ closed mouth.

There is an irregularity of contour with reduction of the superior aspect of the mandibular condyle, the condyle is ante versioned. There is a small anterior osteophyte.

The articular disc is displaced anteriorly, when the mouth opens.

Presence of subcortical bone cysts in the anterior superior aspect of the mandibular condyle.

MRI: sagittal slice of the left TMJ closed mouth. There is a substantial irregularity of contour of the upper portion of the mandibular condyle, with the formation of an anterior osteophyte.

There is a rectification of the articular eminence.

The disc has reduced dimensions lying anteriorly displaced when the mouth opens.

CAN BE SEEN AN IMPORTANT HIPOSSINAL COMPATIBLE WITH AVASCULAR NECROSIS.

Osteonecrosis of the mandible head corresponds to the death of bone tissue also called avascular necrosis.

The alteration in the bone marrow of the mandibular condyle is a possible source of TMJ pain.

To  remember and follow in detail all the images and description of the case report, the reader should return to the previous post.

MRI: another sagittal slice of the left TMJ closed mouth.

There is an important  irregularity of contour of the superior aspect of the mandibular condyle and a formation of an anterior osteophyte.

There is a rectification of the articular eminence.

The disc has reduced dimensions lying anteriorly displaced WITHOUT REDUCTION when the mouth opens.

CAN BE SEEN AN IMPORTANT HIPOSSINAL COMPATIBLE WITH AVASCULAR NECROSIS.

Osteonecrosis of the mandible head corresponds to the death of bone tissue also called avascular necrosis.

The alteration in the bone marrow of the mandibular condyle is a possible source of TMJ pain.

To  remember and follow in detail all the images and description of the case report, the reader should return to the previous post.

MRI:same previous sagittal slice of the left TMJ, closed mouth in T2

MRI in T2 clearly shows the ARTICULAR EFFUSION.

The differential diagnosis of TMJ effusion has a broad spectrum as the effusions in other joints in other parts of the skeleton.

 MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can give us a lot of information, not just the disc position.

To  remember and follow in detail all the images and description of the case report, the reader should return to the previous post.

MRI, frontal section of the left TMJ, closed mouth.

CAN BE SEEN AN IMPORTANT HIPOSSINAL COMPATIBLE WITH AVASCULAR NECROSIS.

Avascular necrosis occurs when blood flow to a bone is interrupted or reduced. It can be caused by various conditions, such as bone or joint damage, PRESSURE INSIDE THE BONE and other medical conditions.

The condyle affected by avascular necrosis has low signal on T1-weighted images as a result of edematous changes in trabecular bone.

Osteonecrosis of the condylar head corresponds to the death of bone tissue, also called avascular necrosis.

 Alteration in the bone marrow of the mandibular condyle is a possible source of TMJ pain.

MRI, frontal section of the right TMJ closed mouth. Upper lesion in the right mandibular condyle, as described in the same sagittal slice of the same condyle as subcortical bone cysts.

To  remember and follow in detail all the images and description of the case report, the reader should return to the previous post.

In the last publication WERE POSTED THE INITIAL IMAGES BEFORE TREATMENT AND THE IMAGES AFTER TREATMENT.

IN THIS PUBLICATION I POSTED THE IMAGES COMPARING: before treatment, after treatment and TWO-YEARS FOLLOW-UP AFTER neurophysiological treatment.

T1-weighted right frontal images comparison: before treatment, after treatment and two years of follow-up after neurophysiological treatment.

We can see the improvement in the medullary signal of the left condyle and the improvement of the superior cortical bone. THE THIRD IMAGE HAS NO TRACES OF THE SUBCORTICAL LESION .

T1-weighted left frontal images comparison: before treatment, after treatment and two years of follow-up after neurophysiological treatment.

We can see the improvement in medullary signal of the left condyle in the central image and THE  BONE MEDULLARY RECOVERY IN THE THIRD IMAGE.

THE MANDIBULAR CONDYLE HAS A HELTHY BONE MARROW SIGNAL.

T1-weighted right sagittal images closed mouth comparison: before treatment, after treatment and two years of follow-up after neurophysiological treatment.

We can see the improvement of the medullary signal and cortical bone. ABSENCE OF SUBCORTICAL BONE CYSTS in the anterior superior aspect of the mandibular condyle OBSERVED IN THE FIRST IMAGE before treatment. Improvement in the cortical bone of the mandibular head.

T2-weighted right sagittal images comparison: before treatment, after treatment and two years of follow-up after neurophysiological treatment.

It is clear in the first image the inflammatory signal. In the central image we can notice the improvement of the intramedullary signal and the remission of posterior effusion.

IN THE THIRD IMAGE WE CAN SEE THE TOTAL REMISSION OF THE INFLAMMATORY SIGNAL.

The patient DID NOT USE ANY ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG.

T1-weighted left sagittal images comparison: before treatment, after treatment and two years of follow-up after neurophysiological treatment.

We can see the improvement in medullary signal of the left condyle in the central image and THE  BONE MARROW RECOVERY IN THE THIRD IMAGE.

THE MANDIBULAR CONDYLE HAS A HELTHY BONE MARROW SIGNAL.

All relevant images were posted, nevertheless I think it is important to highlight THIS FRONTAL RIGHT TMJ comparative image because of the MEDULLARY SIGNAL OBVIOUSNESS.

The first image before treatment and the second two years of follow-up after treatment. MEDULLARY BONE WITH AVASCULAR NECROSIS RECOVERED IN A HEALTHY MEDULLARY SIGNAL.

Avascular necrosis occurs when blood flow to a bone is interrupted or reduced. It can be caused by various conditions, such as bone or joint damage, PRESSURE INSIDE THE BONE and other medical conditions.

The differential diagnosis of the alteration in signal intensity of the mandibular condyle begins with the knowledge of the normal characteristics of medullary signal.

Right and left TMJ sagittal and frontal comparative slices. Before treatment and two years of follow-up after neurophysiological treatment.

To  remember and follow in detail all the images and description of the case report, the reader should return to the previous post.

In the previous publication the control images after two years of treatment were NOT posted.

With the application of advanced diagnostic techniques like MRI the alterations of the medullary signal from the mandibular condyle can be detected, similar to those seen in the femoral head with osteonecrosis.

The detection of effusion and bone marrow alterations is important information before the treatment.

 The information of what really we achieve after our treatments in the image beyond the clinical improvement of our patient is also substantial information.

In this case showing the improvement and recuperation of the medullar signal with the correct mandibular reposition and decompression.

TMJ Pathologies Treatment: Patient with Severe Headaches and Temporomandibular Joint Pain with Significant Contour Irregularities in the Mandibular Condyle and Mouth Opening Limitation.

In several publications of this page I have presented patients of different ages, different gender and different pathologies of the temporomandibular joints.

This is the second case report about a patient with prosthetic protocols built on implants.

I call once again the importance of  the attention in the diagnosis of temporomandibular joints pathologies and mandibular position as a key part of any procedure in dentistry.

Female patient 54 years old arrived to the clinic for consultation with severe headache complaints, pain in the temporomandibular joints, pain in the cervical spine, sore shoulders, ear pain, feeling of clogged ears and crepitation in both temporomandibular joints.

The patient was referred by her dentist who performed the treatment of implants and prosthetics, rehabilitating the patient, but without being able to relieve the pain that afflicted her.

Part of the questionnaire completed by the patient.

The patient reports daily pain.

FUNCTIONS THAT AGGRAVATE HER PAIN:

Mastication

Opening the mouth

Laughing

Yawning

The patient also refers back pain and numbness and tingling in the arms and fingers.

Refers that she wakes up with body aches.

Patient habitual occlusion on the day of consultation.

The patient had fixed prostheses supported on implants on the lower jaw and a removable upper protocol supported on implants on the maxilla.

Patient’s superior and inferior oclusal view of the prostheses supported on implants on the day of consultation.

Image of the oral cavity of the patient without the upper prosthesis.

Patient’s superior and inferior oclusal view without the superior prostheses.

Patient’s initial panoramic radiograph before treatment with the prosthesis in the habitual occlusion before treatment.

Presence of 4 metallic implants in the maxilla 2 on the right side and 2 on the left side; and 5 implants in the anterior mandible region.

Patient’s TMJ right and left laminography, closed and open mouth: posterior positioning of the articular processes in the joint cavities when the jaw is in maximum intercuspation position.

Patient’s lateral radiograph with prosthesis in habitual occlusion.

Patient’s lateral radiograph and cervical spine with prosthesis in habitual occlusion before treatment.

Alterations of the cervical spine, loss of physiological lordosis and loss of intervertebral spaces especially between the vertebrae C4, C5 and C6.

Ricketts cephalometric analysis before treatment with prostheses in habitual occlusion.

Values of point A convexity and lower facial height before treatment.

Frontal radiograph of the patient with the prosthesis in habitual occlusion.

MRI, sagittal slice of the right TMJ closed mouth: there is an irregularity of contour with reduction of the superior aspect of the mandibular condyle, the condyle is ante versioned. There is a small anterior osteophyte.

The articular disc is displaced anteriorly, WITHOUT REDUCTION when the mouth opens.

Presence of subcortical bone cysts in the anterior superior aspect of the mandibular condyle.

MRI, sagittal slice of the left TMJ closed mouth: there is a substantial irregularity of contour of the upper portion of the mandibular condyle, with the formation of an anterior osteophyte.

There is a rectification of the articular eminence.

The disc has reduced dimensions lying anteriorly displaced WITHOUT REDUCTION when the mouth opens.

Can be seen an important hipossinal compatible with avascular necrosis.

MRI, another sagittal slice of the left TMJ closed mouth: there is an important  irregularity of contour of the superior aspect of the mandibular condyle and a formation of an anterior osteophyte.

There is a rectification of the articular eminence.

The disc has reduced dimensions lying anteriorly displaced WITHOUT REDUCTION when the mouth opens.

Can be seen an important hipossinal compatible with avascular necrosis.

MRI in T2 clearly shows the joint effusion.

The differential diagnosis of TMJ effusion has a broad spectrum as the effusions in other joints in other parts of the skeleton.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can give us a lot of information, not just the disc position.

MRI, frontal section of the right and left TMJ, closed mouth. Upper lesion in the right mandibular condyle, as described in the same sagittal slice of the same condyle as subcortical bone cysts.

In the slice of the mandibular head on the left side can be seen an important hipossinal compatible with avascular necrosis.

Avascular necrosis occurs when blood flow to a bone is interrupted or reduced. It can be caused by various conditions, such as bone or joint damage, pressure inside the bone and other medical conditions.

The condyle affected by avascular necrosis has low signal on T1-weighted images as a result of edematous changes in trabecular bone.

Sagittal sections of the right TMJ, closed mouth before the treatment.

There were previously posted to highlight the images I find most relevant, but also this series are registered.

MRI,sagittal sections of the right TMJ, open mouth before the treatment. There is a limitation on opening of the mandibular condyle.

MRI, sagittal sections of the left TMJ, closed mouth before the treatment.

There were previously posted to highlight the images I find most relevant, but also this series are registered.

MRI,sagittal sections of the left TMJ, open mouth before the treatment. There is a limitation on opening of the mandibular condyle.

MRI, T2 sagittal sections of the left TMJ, closed mouth before the treatment.

There were previously posted to highlight the image I find most relevant, but also this series are registered.

Serial in T2 clearly showing the joint effusion.

Tests were done on the patient to investigate systemic inflammatory disease, which were all negative.

It was also investigated chlamydia trachomatis infections, mycoplasma pneumoniae infections and beta hemolytic streptococcus infections , results in this case were also negative.

It was also investigated the functioning of the thyroid.

The masticatory muscles of the patient were electronically deprogrammed and DIO (intraoral device) was constructed in neurophysiological position. In other publications computerized kinesiographic methods were mentioned.

In occlusion most often the healthy or pathological condition of the inter-oclusal space is not objectively considered. In this case the free space of the pathological patient is almost 7 mm and a retro position 0 8 mm.

With this data and ALWAYS WITH THE INFORMATION OF IMAGES, we built a DIO (intraoral device) to keep the three-dimensionally recorded position.

This device must be tested electromyographically to objectively measure the patient.

It is essential to control the DIO (intra oral device) as the patient is treated and the mandible is repositioned.

In this case the control still shows us the need for recalibration of the DIO (intraoral device)

Comparative panoramic radiographs: before treatment and after neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s frontal radiographs comparison: with the prosthesis in habitual occlusion and the DIO intraoral device built on the prosthesis.

Right and left temporomandibular joints laminographies, closed and open mouth comparison: with the prosthesis in habitual occlusion and with the DIO intraoral device built on the prosthesis.

Ricketts cephalometric analysis after treatment with the DIO constructed on the prostheses in neurophysiological occlusion.

Values of point A convexity and lower facial height after treatment.

Patient’s lateral radiographs comparison: with the prosthesis in habitual occlusion and with the DIO built on the prosthesis in neurophysiological position.

The DIO (intra oral device) is used to support, align and correct deformities in order to improve the functions of the jaw, temporomandibular joints and the muscles that move both. This device should be checked and recalibrated as the records indicate the need for modification.

Comparison of aesthetic Ricketts plane in lateral radiograph with prosthesis in habitual occlusion and the DIO constructed on the prosthesis in neurophysiological position.

Comparison of T1-weighted images: before treatment and after treatment: we can see the improvement in medullary signal.

Comparison of T2-weighted images: before and after treatment. It is clear in the first image the inflammatory signal and in the other image the improvement of the intramedullary signal and the remission of posterior effusion.

Comparison of T1-weighted images: before treatment and after treatment, we can see the improvement in medullary signal and improvement of the cortical bone.

Frontal T1-weighted images comparison, before and after treatment treatment: we can see the improvement of the upper lesion on the right mandibular condyle.

Frontal T1-weighted images comparison, before and after treatment: we can see the improvement in medullary signal and improvement of the cortical bone of the left mandibular condyle.

Comparative sagittal sections of the right TMJ open mouth, before and after treatment.

Notice the mandibular condyles WITHOUT LIMITATION IN OPENING  in relation to the limitation that had before treatment.

Comparative sagittal sections of the left TMJ open mouth, before and after treatment.

Notice the mandibular condyles WITHOUT LIMITATION IN OPENING  in relation to the limitation that had before treatment.

Patient’s postural frontal comparative images before and after treatment.

Patient’s  postural profile comparative images  before and after treatment.

Ricketts cephalometric analysis before and after neurophysiological treatment.

Skeletal problems in Ricketts cephalometric analysis before and after treatment.

“Headache (already when waking up in the morning), tiredness sensation at the cheekbones, strong tensing at the shoulders and neck, “clicks” at the temporomandibular joint, ear pain… consequently I also felt irritation, indisposition, stress etc.

All of that is something I had to live with for a long time. The investigations made on me always resulted in palliative measures that mitigated the problem for a short time.

I passed through implants and placement of prostheses which even without having (those measurements) the aim of healing this malaise I still had the hope that it would: but the relief only worked for a short period of time. Finally, by indication of my dentist, I arrived at Clinic MY starting then the TMJ treatment. Shortly after the start of the treatment the symptoms started to fade.

I am very thankful for the professionalism and dedication that I found there. Today, feeling better, I go back there for periodic evaluations and also to have the opportunity of thanking  once more.”

Postural Improvement in a Patient after Neuromuscular Physiological Mandible Repositioning Treatment. Patient with Scoliosis Surgery and Craniomandibular Symptomatology

The interrelationship between mandibular posture, occlusion and body posture is a topic covered by different health professionals.

When we speak of occlusion we do not mean only the relationship between the dental arches but we are also referring to the balance between teeth, muscles and temporomandibular joint in connection with all the postural scheme. In that way we can see and analyze patient as a whole.

This clinical case report describes a patient who came to the clinic for consultation after a scoliosis surgery, with craniomandibular symptoms and loss of vertical dimension.

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional structural deformation of the spine.

Idiopathic scoliosis is probably multi aetiological

The prevalence of the association between scoliosis and craniofacial anomalies should stimulate multidisciplinary collaboration on treating these patients, especially when we have an early diagnosis.

Patient narrative: brief history of the surgery:

When I was 14 years old I was diagnosed with scoliosis, after being noticed with a deformation on the back. Several medical experts were consulted and they stated the same diagnosis, however none of them could tell the causes, and they added that it could be related  to a malformation, some `trauma` in the growth phase, maybe being a hereditary problem.

“My mother noticed that the left side of my back was higher than the right side. In this period I also had frequently faints. Therefore, tests were performed, such as blood tests, electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram. They did not present any alteration”

“Concerned about the situation we consulted an orthopedic surgeon who ordered the realization of a panoramic X-ray of the spine. That test  showed a lumbar scoliosis of 25 degrees, for which the doctor recommended physical therapy.”

Panoramic radiographs of the spine were photographed on a glass of the window on day light, that’s why we can observe elements of the landscape.

Cervicothoracic  Scoliosis. Left convexity, Cobb angle of 25 degrees. No significant pelvic difference.

“Initially, with about 25 degrees of curvature, I did physical therapy sessions and follow-up for a month.”

“I also used an insole ( which I stopped using it  because I did not perceive results and I felt no need) at the time I was also treating a cross bite.”

Thoracic-lumbar scoliosis, left convexity, C0bb angle of 44 degrees. Accentuation of lumbar lordosis difference of the femoral heads of 3 mm.

“Clinical tests revealed that the curvature had evolved progressively to more than the double in size, reaching approximately 45 degrees. At the time, the proposed solution was the use of a neck vest in order to curb this trend.”

X-rays taken for scoliosis treatment control with orthopedic brace.

“The vest was being used 22 hours per day, and it was also recommended swimming lessons for greater flexibility and aid in respiration in case of surgery.”

“During this period, there was a monitoring and vest readjustment in every month.”

“Finally, this alternative was not efficient enough, as the bending progressed to 64 degrees.”

X-rays taken for scoliosis treatment control with orthopedic brace.

“Thus, according to doctors, we reached the surgical case.”

“At my 16 years old, I had the surgery on my spine. The recovery was gradual, nonetheless restfull. The pains, which were always absent, were felt not often in the hip area and legs. The bend in my spine regressed to 19 degrees.”

CONTROL REPORT OF COLUMN XR PANORAMIC SPINAL AFTER SURGERY:

Radiographic examination performed for surgical treatment control of Thoracic-lumbar scoliosis, left convexity fixed by metal screws and rods.

“After a year, I was released to engage in any sport mode, which until then I was forbidden to practice.”

REASON FOR THE CONSULTATION AT CLINIC MY:

“After dental treatment (crossbite) with another professional, mainly due to a shift in the cervical spine that I had tried to fix at the same time – but I did not had  another solution unless the surgery, which had already been completed – I was guided to proceed with Dra. Lidia, also to investigate the relationship between the two cases, so far no connection, the dental arch and the cervical spine. ”

“Following the derivation, I met Dr. Lidia to whom I presented my case, including the surgery of the spine, which led her to investigate the links that could be  cause and consequence of the whole problematic. After many conversations and clarifications I surrendered to the treatment.”

The patient arrived to the clinic for consultation after a spine surgery, complaining of headache, frequent fatigue, pain behind the eyes, pain in the shoulders and clenching.

Patient’s postural photographs of right and left profile after the spine surgery before the neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s frontal and back postural photographs after the spine surgery before the neurophysiological treatment.

Part of the medical record where the patient marks the points where feels pain.

Patient’s habitual occlusion on the day of consultation after spine surgery and the completion of orthodontic treatment before the neurophysiological mandibular repositioning.

Patient’s superior and lower oclusal view on the day of consultation after spine surgery and the completion of orthodontic treatment before the neurophysiological mandibular repositioning.

Patient’s panoramic radiograph on the day of consultation after spine surgery and the completion of orthodontic treatment, before the neurophysiological mandibular repositioning.

Remodeling apical teeth 11,21,22,33,43 compatible with orthodontic movement.

Patient’s temporomandibular joint laminography in habitual occlusion, closed and open mouth, both sides on the day of consultation after spine surgery and the completion of orthodontic treatment, before the neurophysiological mandibular repositioning.

Asymmetrical head of the mandible: the left one with a facet in the posterior surface and a change of orientation in the vertical axis.

Patient’s lateral radiograph in habitual occlusion on the day of consultation after spine surgery and the completion of orthodontic treatment, before the neurophysiological mandibular repositioning.

Note the beginning of the cervical curvature inversion at C4 level.

Patient’s frontal radiograph in habitual occlusion on the day of consultation after spine surgery and the completion of orthodontic treatment, before the neurophysiological mandibular repositioning.

Note the loss of vertical dimension.

Patient’s lateral radiograph and cervical spine in habitual occlusion on the day of consultation after spine surgery and the completion of orthodontic treatment, before the neurophysiological mandibular repositioning.

Note the the cervical curvature inversion at C4 level.

MRI of the right TMJ:

Sagittal section, closed mouth; there is an anteversion of the mandibular condyle, discrete rectification of its anterosuperior portion.

MRI of the right TMJ:

Sagittal section, closed mouth; there is an anteversion of the mandibular condyle, discrete rectification of its anterosuperior portion.

Mild cortical irregularity of the anterior-posterior edge of the condyle.

MRI of the left TMJ:

Sagittal section, closed mouth; there is an anteversion of the mandibular condyle, discrete rectification of its anterosuperior portion.

MRI of the left TMJ:

Sagittal section, closed mouth; there is an anteversion of the mandibular condyle, discrete rectification of its anterosuperior portion.

Traumatism history reported by the patient

1 – Fall off a wall of approximately 1.50m tall. She fell on her back hitting the back of the head on the ground.

2- Sudden braking in the car. She was pushed against the windshield, but was held by her father.

3 – Bicycle fall. The pacient was taking a ride on the rack of a friend bycicle when she fell and and hits the mouth on the floor.

Patient’s electromyography record in habitual occlusion. Asymmetry between the right and left temporal muscles and asymmetry between the masseter muscles.

The most important thing in this case is the greater activity of the temporalis  muscles in relation to the masseter muscles. Remember that the muscles that must recruit more motor units in maximum intercuspation are the masseters and not the temporalis muscles.

Mandibular rest neurophysiological position record.

The masticatory muscles of the patient were electronically deprogrammed and a new neurophysiological rest position was recorded.

The patient had a pathological free way space of 5 mm and a shift to the right of 1,5 mm.

With the data obtained after the mandibular electronic deprogramming and ALWAYS WITH THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE IMAGES, a DIO (Intraoral device) in neurophysiological position was constructed.

DIO: Intraoral Device constructed in neurophysiological position.

Electromyography dynamic record of the patient with the DIO built in neurophysiological position.

In the first selection we can already observe a symmetry between the anterior temporalis muscles.

In the last selection with cotton rolls on both sides it can be observed an improvement in the recruitment of motor units in the masseters muscles and even lower recruitment in the anterior temporalis muscles. Remember that the DIO (Intraoral Device) is tested and calibrated  with Bioinstrumentation.

Kinesiographic control of the DIO. Freeway interocclusal space of 2.6 mm and shows no deviation on the frontal record.

Frontal radiographs comparison: the first in habitual occlusion and the second with the DIO (Intraoral device) in neurophysiological position. Improvement on the three-dimensional jaw alignment.

We cannot fix the structural differences of the mandibular condyles, but we can balance the muscles.

Lateral radiographs comparison: the first in habitual occlusion and the second with the DIO (Intraoral device) in neurophysiological position.

Lateral and cervical spine radiographs comparison: the first in habitual occlusion and the second with the DIO (Intraoral device) in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s TMJ laminographies comparison: the first in habitual occlusion and the second with the DIO (Intraoral device) in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s panoramic radiographs comparison: the first in habitual occlusion and the second with the DIO (Intraoral device) in neurophysiological position.

Right TMJ sagittal section, closed mouth comparison: before treatment in habitual occlusion and with the DIO (Intraoral device) in neurophysiological position.

Left TMJ sagittal section, closed mouth comparison: before treatment in habitual occlusion and with the DIO (Intraoral device) in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s postural profile comparative images in habitual occlusion before the treatment, in the beginning of the treatment wearing the DIO (Intraoral Device) and as we can see in the third photograph) in the stage that alouds us to perform the second phase of the treatment with a tridimensional orthodontics.

Patient’s postural frontal comparative images in habitual occlusion before the treatment, in the beginning of the treatment wearing the DIO (Intraoral Device) and ( as we can see in the third photograph) in the stage that alouds us to perform the second phase of the treatment with a tridimensional orthodontics.

After treatment:

PATIENT TESTIMONY:

Especially the headaches (frontal) and the tension in the trapezius, along with the other listed symptoms, which hindered my work and productivity, were easily controlled with the treatment.

I am grateful to Dr. Lidia Yavich and the Clinica MY team for the profissionalism and which always had great care and attention, in the connection of the teeth, face and temporomandibular joint with the spine and posture.

For reasons of study and work opportunities, I chose to take a break in treatment, before starting a three-dimensional orthodontics.

I kept on inued with the continuous  use of the DIO – the pain is still being controlled – until I had the conditions to finalize the treatment.

Description of habitual orthostatic position in the sagittal and frontal planes

Sagittal plane:

The evaluation is described according to the plumb line test. This test takes into account the anatomical points that must be aligned with the vertical axis (plumb line) that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis (foot rest surface). The points are the lateral malleolus (specifically in calcanocuboidea joint), the joint center of the knee, the hip center (located in the femoral head), the lumbar vertebrae (L3 – L4), the center of the shoulder joint (acromion) and the external auditory meatus (ear ).

Picture 1 – patient in habitual occlusion before treatment:                     

 

It is observed that the patient is with the body in front of the plumb line. This shift of the reference points is observed from the knee joint in direct side view.

Picture 2: Patient using the intraoral device at the beginning of the treatment

Note that in this situation the patient is with the joint reference points ahead of the plumb line, but there was an approximation of the body segments shoulder and external auditory canal in the direction of the plumb line.

Image 3: patient using the intraoral device ready to move to a three-dimensional orthodontics

It is observed in this image that the patient is more aligned in upright posture, where all the reference points are aligned or closer to the vertical axis. The lower back and ear still remained ahead of the regency axis.

According to the three images it can be seen an improvement in the alignment of the orthostatic position in the sagittal plane throughout the treatment. Initially the patient was possibly with the muscles of the posterior chain overloaded from the soles of the feet to the suboccipital region.

Probably the use of intraoral device relieved such overloading .

Frontal plane

In the frontal view, the description of the usual orthostatic position is made in relation to the plumb (vertical axis) and two horizontal axes: horizontal axis of surface supporting feet and horizontal axis that passes just above the shoulders. The reference points in the frontal plane are: midpoint between the two feet, pubic symphysis, xiphoid process (sternum center) center of the cervical vertebrae (spinous processes) and the midpoint between the eyes.

Picture 1: Patient in habitual occlusion before treatment

It is observed the following displacements in relation to the vertical axis: slight displacement of the pubis point to the right side of the patient, followed by a displacement of the rib cage (xiphoid process) to the left side. The neck and head region are displaced to the left side of the vertical axis.

In relation to the horizontal axis of the bearing surface and from above the shoulders, it is observed that the right shoulder is lower than the right one. According to this image it can be said that she has escolise or that she is in a postural attitute presenting scoliosis.

Picture 2: Patient using the intraoral device at the beginning of treatment

In image 2 it is possible to observe that the position of the pelvis remained slightly shifted to the right side of the vertical axis. However there was an approximation of the xiphoid process (the center of the sternum) in relation to the vertical axis, as well as to the cervical vertebrae and head. These segments still kept themselves to the right side of the reference point.

In relation to the horizontal reference axis, there is a better alignment of the shoulders. The left shoulder remains in a lower position than the left one. In this image it can be said that the patient has a scoliotic attitude whith the lower spine angles of lateral flexing smallers, in other words there is a change in the support, right where  the scoliotic attitude is milder.

Image 3: patient using the intraoral device ready to move to a three-dimensional orthodontics

From this photo it can be seen that there has been an alignment of reference points of the pubis and the xiphoid process in relation to the vertical axis. In addition, there was a repositioning of the cervical vertebrae and head, where the  reference points are closer to the reference axis. In relation to the horizontal axis the image shows a balanced alignment of the shoulders.

From the three images of the frontal plane it can be observed that there was an improvement in the usual orthostatic posture, however there is still a displacement of the cervical and head reference points to the left side of the vertical axis.

It can be suggested that before treatment the patient showed a distribution of a possibly assimetric body weight between the right and left feet. The pelvis shifted to the right, generates such imbalance. In the  high thoracic and cervical region, probably there was a shortening of the muscles of the left side chain and an overload of the right side chain. With the DIO probably these imbalances  were mitigated  in the habitual orthostatic posture.

This evaluation in orthostatic position is not a dynamic evaluation of the patient.

I appreciate this assessment to Cintia Brino Baril, Master in Science of Human Movement UFRGS.

Temporomandibular Joint Pathology in a Patient with Congenital Fusion of two Cervical Vertebrae. First and Second Phase. Case Report.

When two adjacent vertebrae are fused since birth, the whole vertebral unit is called congenital vertebral block.

Embryologically this fusion is the result of an error in the normal process of segmentation of somites (segmented structure, formed on both sides of the neural tube) during the differentiation in fetal weeks.

Due to the existence of a mobile segment, free joints  (non-fused), on top and underneath the vertebral block, suffer more stress.

They may also produce an abnormal curvature of the spine.

Understanding the complex inter relation of craniomandibular disorders require a wide comprehension, not only on anatomy and physiology of head and neck, but also of the vertebral spine.

The cervical spine is the flexible link between the head and the trunk.

Male patient arrived to the clinic for consultation referring headache, pain behind the eyes mostly on the right side and pain on the right eyebrow.

States that, when he passes his fingertips on the left eyebrow toward the right side, reaching the center he feels pain.

Relates pain in both shoulders.

The patient reports pain and clicking in both temporomandibular joints. He also complaints from a crepitation sensation in both TMJ.

He refers a sensation of blocked ears and bilateral tinnitus.

The patient reports that he tightens the teeth all day, and also mentions nocturnal bruxism.

He also complaints of pain in the back of the neck and pain in the cervical spine.

In his clinical history he reported a car accident when he was 12 year old.

He also had a strong blow in his mouth and mandible. He underwent a surgery on  L3, L4 and L5 because of disk herniation.

 Patient’s habitual occlusion image before the treatment in the consultation day.  We can notice the  fractured superior incisors   and the absence of the left superior canine.

Superior and lower oclusal view of the patient before treatment. In this image we can see the wear of the lower incisors and the fracture of the upper central incisors.

Patient’s initial panoramic radiograph: we can observe the absence of the  18, 23, 28, 38 and 48 elements. We can also notice the maxillary sinus extension on the premolars and molars region.

Patient temporomandibular joint laminography before treatment: we can observe the superior and posterior position of the right condylar process in the articular cavity  and the lower posterior positioning of the left condylar process in the articular cavity when the jaw is in maximum intercuspidation position.

In the maximum open position, we can observe the anterior angulation of the articular processes. More significant on the left side. Flattening of  the posterior surface of the articular processes.

Patient’s frontal radiograph in habitual occlusion before treatment.

Lateral radiograph in conjunction with the profile image of the patient before treatment.

Patient’s lateral radiograph and cervical spine before treatment.

The arrow marks the FUSION OF THE CERVICAL VERTEBRAE  C3 and C4.

When two adjacent vertebrae are fused since birth, the whole vertebral unit is called congenital vertebral block.

Embryologically, this fusion is the result of an error in the normal process of segmentation of somites (segmented structure, formed on both sides of the neural tube) during the differentiation in fetal weeks.

Due to the existence of a mobile segment, free joints (non-fused), on top and underneath the vertebral block, suffer more stress.

They may also produce an abnormal curvature of the spine.

MRI TI: Sagittal slice sequence of the left TMJ closed mouth.

We can see that despite the anterior angulation of the articular process (because of one of the sequels of traumatism in infancy) the disc is positioned at the head of the mandibular condyle.  Notice that the health of the soft elements had been preserved, even so there is a compression of the retrodiscal elements at the level of the  neck flexioned angle  of the mandibular condyle.

MRI TI: Sagittal slice sequence of the left TMJ closed mouth.

We can see that despite the anterior angulation of the articular process (because of one of the sequels of traumatism in infancy) the disc is positioned at the head of the mandibular condyle.  Notice that the health of the soft elements had been preserved, even so there is a compression of the retrodiscal elements at the level of the  neck flexioned angle  of the mandibular condyle.

MRI TI: Sagittal slice sequence of the right TMJ closed mouth.

We can see that despite the anterior angulation of the articular process (because of one of the sequels of traumatism in infancy) the disc is positioned at the head of the mandibular condyle.  Notice that the health of the soft elements had been preserved, even so there is a compression of the retrodiscal elements at the level of the  neck flexioned angle  of the mandibular condyle.

MRI TI: Sagittal slice sequence of the right TMJ closed mouth.

We can see that despite the anterior angulation of the articular process (because of one of the sequels of traumatism in infancy) the disc is positioned at the head of the mandibular condyle.  Notice that the health of the soft elements had been preserved, even so there is a compression of the retrodiscal elements at the level of the  neck flexioned angle  of the mandibular condyle.

MRI TI: Sagittal slice  of the right and left TMJ, open mouth.

In the maximum open position, we can better observe the anterior angulation of the articular processes. More significant in the left side.

MRI TI: Frontal slice  of the right and left TMJ, closed mouth.

Initial kinesiographic record: significant loss of speed when the patient opens and closes his mouth. There is no coincidence between the opening and closing trajectories in the sagittal view record. The record  in the sagittal view looks very vertical when the patient opens and closes the mouth, which is  typical of deep overbites.

To properly evaluate the maxillomandibular relationship we  should start considering the physiological mandibular rest position.

Physiological rest is a concept, applicable to the rest of the body muscles.

The stomathognatic muscles are not the exception.

The masticatory muscles of the patient were  electronically deprogrammed and a new neurophysiological rest position was recorded.

The record showed a pathological free space of 11,8 mm and a retrusion of 2 mm.

Remember that the angulation of the mandibular condyle caused by trauma in early childhood led to a loss in the  vertical growth and a compression at the  level of the flexioned angle of the mandibular condyle neck.

   Click here To read more about traumatisms in childhood and the greenstick fractures of the mandibular process.

With the recorded data after the electronical mandibular deprogramming and the kinesiographic trace obtained with the jaw tracker, we constructed a  DIO (intraoral device), to mantain the tridimentional registered position.

This intraoral device must be tested to objectively measure the patient.

Kinesiographic record control of the DIO  (intra oral device), constructed in neurophysiological position. Neuromuscular trajectories  are coincident and the  interocclusal free space is now 2.4mm.

These controls must be performed PERIODICALLY DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF TREATMENT and also during the SECOND PHASE OF TREATMENT.
In the clinical cases published in the  TMJ STUDY AND INVESTIGATION PAGE  I post a minimum selection of the sequenced records obtained during the treatment.

It is important to remember that during the neurophysiological treatment the patient is measured and controlled during all treatment.

The patient presented problems in the three-dimensional localization of the mandibular condyle

Even that structurally the mandibular condyles had undergone changes in the growth axis due to trauma in early childhood, they did not presented lesions that prevented us (after the  improvement of the three-dimensional jaw location) to continue with the SECOND PHASE OF THE TREATMENT.

In this specific clinical case I decided NOT  to request a second MRI, since I didn’t need to control the improvement of the condyle disc complex nor the bone marrow signal.

The patient had remission of symptoms, allowing us to move on to the SECOND STAGE OF THE NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL TREATMENT.

In the upper image we can observe from top to bottom:

Habitual occlusion of the patient before treatment.

Patient’s occlusion  with the DIO ( intraoral device)

Initiation of the  three-dimensional orthodontics, ALWAYS WITH DIO (intraoral device) built in neurophysiological position.

Installation of an upper removable expander.

Sequence in three-dimensional orthodontics with the expander and the movement of the first upper  premolar on the left side for the installation of a dental implant.

Sequence of the three-dimensional orthodontics in this specific clinical case.

Sequence of the three-dimensional orthodontics in this specific clinical case and installation of the dental implant, because of the absence of the upper left canine.

The upper incisors were rehabilitated with resins to recover the aesthetics and functionality of the patient.

Patient’s panoramic radiograph:  control with the implant installed  and three-dimensional orthodontics during the neurophysiological treatment.

The DIO, (intraoral device) in neurophysiological position installed in the mouth during the Second Phase.

The lower incisors were rehabilitated with resins to recover the aesthetics and functionality of the patient.

The active eruption in the posterior sector was completed until the finalization of the second phase.

In this particular clinic case the active eruption sequence was not documented in images. For those who want to remember this THREE- DIMENTIONAL ORTHODONTICS I suggest to click on this link

The patient’s occlusion after neurophysiological treatment. First and second phase finished.

Patient’s comparative occlusion  images before and after the  neurophysiological treatment.

Upper and lower oclusal view of the patient after the neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s comparative images of the upper and lower oclusal view before and after the neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s panoramic radiograph after the first and second phase of the neurophysiological treatment.

Comparative panoramic radiographs: before treatment, during treatment and after completion of the three-dimensional orthodontics and neurophysiological rehabilitation.

Patient’s laminography after the first and second phase of the neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s comparative lateral radiographs, before and after the neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s comparative lateral radiograph and cervical spine before the FIRST PHASE and fter the finalization of the THREE DIMENSIONAL ORTHODONTICS and the NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL REABILITATION. 

In this case we cannot change a congenital fusion of the cervical vertebrae, but if we understand that there are myofascial chains that connect the TMJ to the body, we may then improve the three-dimensional location of the mandible and help the system. Naturally, the system is a whole and depending on each clinical case we will need the help help of professionals of different specialties.

Comparative frontal images of the patient: before and after the neurophysiological treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparative profile images of the patient: before and after the neurophysiological treatment.

Some time ago, while searching for an orthodontic treatment for my first child, I got to know Clinica MY.

At that time my priority was in fact to search for a solution to correct a teeth problem that my son had. After some consultations at the clinic I met Dr. Lidia, which already in our firsts and brief talks, and because of some complaints that I shared with her, she diagnosed that I, much more than my son, had problems related to dysfunctions in the TMJ.

She told me that I needed to search for a treatment.

In that occasion I had many teeth problems as inferior and superior teeth wear, broken tips, crackling when chewing.

I had a lot of headaches, pain at the nape base and behind the eyes, and also pain on the back and shoulders. I also felt a pain sensation on my right eyebrow whenever I pass my hand on the forehead. It was something really strange and uncomfortable.

Happily this is something in the past. Thanks to the accurate diagnosis of Dr. Lidia and to the treatment that I followed strictly to the letter I am today free of those terrible symptoms.

I also would like to thank the careful work of Dr. Luis Daniel during all the treatment process and the attention and care that was given to me by all the Clinica MY team.

 

 

TMJ Study and Investigation Page. One year of publication

Dear friends,

At December 2014 I started the Project TMJ Study and Investigation Page. At first, all its content was offered in three languages: Portuguese, English and Spanish. Due to the analysis of the webpage access statistics, at March 2015 I decided to offer the content solely in Portuguese and English.

Nowadays, the medicine based on evidence is hierarchically stratified from top to bottom where in the base of the pyramid we find the clinic cases, which are rarely seen as evidence. The TMJ Study and Investigation Page had, in its conception, the purpose of posting the clinic cases, which were carefully published with the documentation related to each of the patients treated at Clínica MY with pain complaints, dysfunction and TMJ pathology.

The proposition was of presenting these clinic cases and concepts in order share them, offering free access to the content along images, surface electromyographies, computerized kinesiography, scanned before and after the therapeutic process. Cases of tridimentional orthodontics and neurophisiologic reabilitation of the second phase of treatment, after the TMJ treatment, were also included.

The TMJ Study and Investigation Page is completing, in this month of December, one year since it started, and I want to celebrate its anniversary with you. With this project, we have a place in the Internet that presents a line of work known as neurophysiologic dentistry, which takes into account the whole body system. It is an area that also operates regarding the posture and the mandibular functioning. In order to do that, the physiologic dentistry aims to establish, in the patient, a position that is based on a harmonious relation between the muscles, the teeth, and the temporolandibular joints.

In the publication of the end of this year I have chosen the most significant images of the whole year of publications, with their direct links to each one of the originals publications.

Joint Decompression in a Neurophysiological Mandibular Rest Position Promotes a Positive Remodeling in a Degenerative Process of a Teenager Temporomandibular Joint

Anatomy is the platform on which physiology functions

Structural modifications of the mandibular condylar process as one of the sequels of traumatism in infancy.

Articular discs recapture with mandibular neurophysiological repositioning

Cervical Dystonia or Spasmodic Torticollis: Positive evolution after Neurophysiological Treatment

Recapture of articular disc displacement with reduction. Recapture or not recapture that is the question.

Inter relation of Craniomandibular disorders and vertebral spine. Case report

Tridimensional Orthodontics in the Second Phase of TMJ Pathologies

Neurophysiological Combined Orthodontics and Rehabilitation: patient with degenerative conditions in several body joints

TMJ Pathologies Treatment: first and second phase (tridimensional orthodontics) in a hypermobile joint patient with low signal in the head of the mandible bone marrow. Case report.

Articular Disc Recapture: patient with significant mandibular heads asymmetry and unilateral reducible luxation. Case report

Osteonecrosis of the Mandibular Head: recovery of condylar bone marrow alteration

TMJ ( temporomandibular joint) Pathologies: Patient with severe pain in the region of the face, neck and temporomandibular joint. First and second phase.

Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis and non inflammatory TMJ pathology

Mandible Condyle Fracture Consolidation by Neurophysiological Alignment of the Segments, Four Months after Unsuccessful Surgery. Case report

The importance of Mandibular Rest Position by Electronic Deprogramming in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Pathologies, Orthodontic Diagnosis and Oral Rehabilitation. Case report.

TMJ Pathologies in Children and Teenagers the Overlooked Diagnosis

Training in Diagnosis and Treatment of TMJ Pathologies

The Postural Position of the Mandible and its Complexity in the Maxillomandibular Tridimensional Relation: first and second phase in a patient with severe symptoms with subtle information on the images.

e images.

The Tridimensional Neurophysiological Position of the Mandible in Implant Prosthesis Protocol

I want to thank my family that is always at my side in each one of the projects, I also want to thank my friends, that from Brazil and from many places of the world, supported and support this project. Last, but not least, I want to thank my colleagues and patients that often write, encouraging and thanking the existence of this virtual place.

By closing, in this moment, the annual analysis and the perspective for the year that follows, I therefore thank the readers of all places in the world that follow the TMJ Study and Investigation Page. It is a privilege to count with your visits.

With the best votes for 2016, and wishing for a year of peace, health, love and happiness for all.

Dr. Lidia Yavich

 

The Tridimensional Neurophysiological Position of the Mandible in Implant Prosthesis Protocol

Nowadays dentistry has new resources for prosthetic resolution of patients with extensive loss of their dental pieces.

New technologies allow protocols to build prostheses where before, they would have no support solution.

Out of aesthetic recovery, essential for the patient IT IS NECESSARY to have an initial point of mandibular rest position, as these complex cases make rehabilitation more challenging.

Male patient 54 years of age arrived to the clinic for consultation referring pain and sensation of plugged ear, especially on the left side. Also refers pain on top of the head and pain in the left shoulder.

The patient reports stiffness and pain in the back of the neck, a different sensation on the left side of the head as tingling and loss of sensibility and “blocked ear”

Refers an uncomfortable sensation in the left eye, in his words says that “the eye is sensitive”.

Refers hand tremor.

The image of the patient’s habitual occlusion shows a Class III or mandibular prognathism.

The  patient reports the prognathism  condition even before the dental loss.

When we study occlusion most of the time we do not consider if the inter-occlusal space is healthy or pathologic.

Patient’s superior and inferior oclusal view.

What most encourages the patient to seek treatment was the sensation of blocked ear and his desire to resolve the issue.

The patient also relates noises when chewing and fatigue of the masticatory muscles. The patient also reported a numbness sensation near the left ear.

The patient had been medicated by another professional with muscle relaxant, but he did not feel any symptoms change.

Patient’s initial panoramic radiograph before neurophysiological  treatment.

The patient has this protocol for more than 18 years.

The patient reported a periimplantitis history, and had no image prior to implant placement.

Patient’s TMJ right and left laminography, closed and open mouth before neurophysiological  treatment.

Patient’s lateral radiograph in habitual occlusion before treatment.  Marked prognathic profile.

Marking the aesthetic plane of  Ricketts in the lateral radiograph with the profile of the patient.

Patient’s frontal radiograph before treatment.

Patient’s dynamic electromyography record in habitual occlusion before treatment.

In this dynamic record we registered the anterior right and left temporal muscles, the right and left masseter muscles, the right and left digastric muscles and the right and left upper trapezius muscles.

The right masseter muscle ALMOST CAN NOT RECRUIT MOTOR UNITS during maximum sustained  intercuspation, it can only generate 21 microvolts in the selected band.

Important asymmetry between the two masseter muscles, right and left.

Patient’s initial kinesiographic record: we can see a good speed when the mouth opens and a reduction of speed when the mouth closes.

There is no coincidence between the opening and closing trajectories in the sagittal view.

The opening movement has a propulsive closing and a lateralization in the frontal plane to the right of 8.2 mm.

The patient’s masticatory cycles are registered with a jaw tracker. In the record of the masticatory cycles we used almonds to register chewing activity.

This post will not make a detailed analysis of this record. But it is important to note that: on the left side of the graph, even if the patient is chewing almonds on the left, THE GRAPHIC APPEARS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. This is due to mandibular torque that the patient needs to perform to chew.

MRI: left and right TMJ closed mouth.  I chose this slice to show important asymmetry between the right and left side.

The left side shows a posterior dislocation of the articular disc. There is NO ARTICULAR DISC on the right side, is IMPORTANT TO MARK THIS, since in several posts I emphasized the importance of recapturing the disks when possible, (IN THIS CASE I CAN NOT RECAPTURE A STRUCTURE THAT DOES NOT EXIST).

In this particular case the request of resonance is part of the protocol to obtain fundamental information in the formulation of diagnosis.

Different slice and parameters do not show bone edema or other information requiring different interventions within the treatment.

The goal in this particularly case  will be the three-dimensional repositioning of the jaw, TO RECOVER the neurophysiological function, which should be widely understood, so that the muscles, temporomandibular joints and teeth and prostheses could work in balance.

To determine the neurophysiological three-dimensional position of the jaw, even in cases of extensive rehabilitations we have to consider the physiological position of the mandibular rest.

The masticatory muscles of the patient were deprogrammed electronically and a resting neurophysiological position was recorded.

The patient has a PATHOLOGICAL FREE WAY SPACE OF 7.2 mm. Maintaining the physiological 2 mm we still have more than five mm discrepancy, to be recovered tridimensionally.

The jaw also presents a retro position of almost two mm and a deflection at closing of 0.5 to the left side.

With this data and ALWAYS WITH THE IMAGES INFORMATION, we constructed a DIO (intraoral device) to keep the three-dimensionally recorded position.

This device must be tested electromyographically to objectively measure the patient.

Patient’s lateral radiograph with the DIO in neurophysiological position.

Marking the aesthetic plane of  Ricketts in the lateral radiograph with the DIO in neurophysiological position.

The DIO is an orthopedic device, recorded and controlled electromyographically. The DIO (intraoral device) is used to support, align and ameliorate deformities in order to improve the functions of the jaw, temporomandibular joints and the muscles.

Patient SEMG record with the DIO (intraoral device) in neurophysiological position built above the patient’s prosthesis.

We can note the improvement of the right masseter muscle activity. Before the treatment the right masseter muscle could not recruit motor units.

Comparison of the SEMG records: before the treatment in habitual occlusion and with the DIO (intraoral device) in neurophysiological position built above the patient’s denture.

WE MUST CONSIDER that years of muscle accommodation and the central nervous system engrams cannot be modified with a first orthotic or DIO

That’s why the DIO should be adapted, changed, and recalibrated to follow dimensional changes that will happen when muscles are aligned.

Patient’s kinesiographic record after neurophysiological treatment.

Significant improvement in the opening and closing trajectories.

The closure no longer has a propulsive trajectory.

The lateralization which was 8.2 mm was reduced to 2 mm.

Patient’s kinesiographic records comparison:  before treatment in the habitual occlusion and with the DIO (intraoral device) in neurophysiological position constructed above the patient’s prosthesis.

Patient’s masticatory cycles after the neurophysiological treatment.

In this graph the left side chewing appears on the left side as it corresponds.

In the previous graph before treatment in habitual occlusion, the left side chewing graphic appeared on the right side due to mandibular torque.

Comparative chewing cycles of the patient: before treatment and after neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s TMJ right and left lamiography, closed and open mouth in neurophysiological occlusion after treatment.

Patient’s TMJ right and left lamiography, closed and open mouth comparison: in habitual occlusion before treatment and with the DIO (intraoral device) in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s panoramic radiograph after the neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s panoramic radiograph comparison: before treatment and after the neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s frontal comparative images: before and after neurophysiological treatment.

Patient’s lateral comparative images: before and after neurophysiological treatment.

  Comparing the profile radiographs and the aesthetic profiles

And here, the words of Confucius: A picture is worth a thousand words.

I lived for a long time with discomfort that sometimes manifested itself by a feeling of numbness and sometimes by headaches.

I could not identify the cause; although I repeatedly searched for expert help.

On the recommendation of my sister and my sister in law who were being treated by Dr. Lidia I consulted her and started a treatment which lasted a long period, getting excellent results and today I feel good without the symptoms that hindered me so much.

I appreciate the commitment and dedication of Dr. Lidia and her team.

The Postural Position of the Mandible and its Complexity in the Maxillomandibular Tridimensional Relation: first and second phase in a patient with severe symptoms with subtle information on the images.

Understanding the complex inter relation of  craniomandibular disorders require a wide comprehension not only on anatomy and physiology of head and neck, but also of the vertebral spine. The cervical spine is the flexible link between the head and the trunk.

Only recently, dentistry began to think about the jaw and its association with the skull as a three-dimensional relationship, instead of considering it an isolated structure and evaluated in two dimensions as has been done traditionally.

To properly evaluate the maxillomandibular relationship we should start considering the physiological rest position.

Physiological rest is a concept, applicable to the rest of the body muscles

The stomathognatic muscles and not the exception

 Male patient arrived to the clinic for consultation referring a strong pain behind the eyes, nonspecific facial pain, popping in the right temporomandibular joint and crackling on the same side. The patient reports tingling and numbness in the cervical spine, tingling sensation in his right shoulder. He also reports pain and stiffness in the back of the neck, shoulder pain and muscular tremor.

The patient had completed an orthodontic treatment and after the removal of the orthodontic device he began to feel the reported symptoms . Due to the strong symptoms the patient consulted several professionals: clinical dentist, physiotherapist, general practitioner and a orthopedist for the  shoulder pain.

The orthodontist who treated him referred the patient to me, to see if I could help him.

Section of the clinical record where the patient marks the pain points

 

Marking the pain points: headache, back of the neck stiffness, pain in the top of the head and in the forehead. Pain behind the eyes and in the back of the neck, popps, nonspecific facial pain, crepitus, dizziness and muscle tremor.

Patient’s habitual occlusion before treatment.

Patient’s occlusal superior and inferior view before treatment.

Patient’s initial panoramic radiograph before treatment.

Patient’s TMJ right and left laminography, closed and open mouth before treatment.

Patient’s lateral radiograph before treatment.

Patient’s frontal radiograph before treatment.

Patient’s lateral radiograph and cervical spine before treatment.

Patient’s electromyography record in habitual occlusion before treatment.

In this dynamic record we registered the anterior right and left temporal muscles, the right and left masseter muscles, the right and left digastric muscles and the right and left upper trapezius muscles.

For this record we ask to the patient to open the mouth, close the mouth, clench strong and swallow.

Notice the asymmetry between the right masseter muscle and the left masseter muscle at maximal intercuspal sustained position. The digastric muscles during swallowing are activated before the masseter muscles which should not happen in a functional swallowing.

Patient’s initial kinesiographic record shows a significant loss of speed when the patient opens and closes the mouth. There is no coincidence between the neuromuscular trajectories in the sagittal view of the record.

The patient has hypermobile joints and has no limitation in opening the mouth.

MRI: sagittal slice left TMJ closed mouth. This image does not show significant alterations.

MRI: sagittal slice left TMJ closed mouth, this more medial slice shows the compression and the retroposition of the mandibular condyle. We can observe a facet on the top of the mandibular head.

REMEMBER THAT we are looking at a two-dimensional image and we have to understand that the COMPRESSION IS TRIDIMENSIONAL.

 MRI: sagittal slice right TMJ closed mouth, this medial slice shows the compression and the retroposition of the mandibular condyle. We can observe a facet on the top of the mandibular head.

REMEMBER THAT we are looking at a two-dimensional image and we have to understand that the COMPRESSION IS TRIDIMENSIONAL.

MRI: sagittal slice right TMJ closed mouth, in this medial slice is even more evident the compression and the retroposition of the mandibular condyle. We can observe a facet on the top of the mandibular head.

REMEMBER THAT we are looking at a two-dimensional image and we have to understand that the COMPRESSION IS TRIDIMENSIONAL.

MRI: frontal slice from the right and left TMJ, closed mouth in habitual occlusion before treatment.

The right TMJ frontal slice makes clear a loss of joint space especially on the lateral pole.region  In both frontal images we can notice the reduction of the joint space.

To properly evaluate the maxillomandibular relationship we  should start considering the physiological mandibular rest position.

Physiological rest is a concept, applicable to the rest of the body muscles

The stomathognatic muscles and not the exception

The masticatory muscles of the patient were deprogrammed electronically and a new neurophysiological rest position was recorded.

With this data we constructed a DIO (intraoral device), to keep the three-dimensionally recorded position. This device must be tested electromyographically to objectively measure the patient.

Of course checking the patient’s symptoms is important, but the surface electromyography objectively shows if the muscular function improved, worst or did not change.

Patient’s electromyographic record with the DIO (intraoral device), in neurophysiological position.

Note the symmetry of the masseter muscles. The digastric muscles DON’T ACTIVATE before the masseter muscles during swallowing. This implies that the patient closes the teeth and swallows and not the contrary as the first record in habitual occlusion.

Patient’s kinesiographic record with the DIO (intraoral device): there has been an improvement in speed and COINCIDENCE in the trajectories when he opens and closes the mouth. Patient’s frontal radiographs comparison: in habitual occlusion before treatment and with the DIO (intraoral device), in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s TMJ right and left closed and open mouth laminography comparison: in habitual occlusion before treatment and with the DIO (intraoral device), in neurophysiological position.

Patient’s lateral radiographs comparison: in habitual occlusion before treatment and with the DIO (intraoral device), in neurophysiological position.

In the middle of the treatment I referred the patient to a physical terapist for a postural reprogramming.

With the jaw in a neurophysiological position the physiotherapist colleague worked on the rest of the muscular chains. The patient also presented an incipient discopathy at the level of C3 and C6.

Patient’s panoramic radiograph comparison: before treatment and during the neurophysiological treatment. Kinesiographic records comparison: in habitual occlusion before treatment and with the DIO (intraoral device), in neurophysiological position.

Note the improvement of the speed and the COINCIDENCE in the opening and closing trajectories.

 Electromyography records comparison: in habitual occlusion before treatment and with the DIO (intraoral device), in neurophysiological position.

Note the symmetry of the masseter muscles, the digastric muscles DON’T ACTIVATE before the masseter muscles during swallowing. This implies that the patient closes the teeth and swallows and not the contrary as the first record in habitual occlusion before treatment.

 The patient did not complained from pain and the other symptoms he had in the beginning of the treatment.The electromyography and kinesiographic records objectively showed the muscular function improvement.

We decided to start the SECOND PHASE of the treatment.

For this we used a three-dimensional orthodontics, where the teeth are erupted towards the new neurophysiological position. This procedure  will allow us, following the technical steps to remove the DIO.

  In the  second phase, in this case the three-dimentional orthodontics  the patient is monitored and electronically deprogrammed and many times the device is recalibrate to maintain the position obtained in the first phase.

Sequence of the second phase (in this specific clinical case).

Sequence of the second phase (in this specific clinical case).

Sequence of the second phase (in this specific clinical case).

Sequence of the second phase (in this specific clinical case).

Sequence of the second phase (in this specific clinical case).

Sequence of the second phase (in this specific clinical case).

Second phase completed!

Patient’s panoramic radiograph after the finalization of the three-dimensional orthodontics.

 MRI: Comparison of the frontal section of the RIGHT TMJ closed mouth  before neurophysiological treatment, and the same  RIGHT TMJ closed mouth  after the COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE with the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Note the decompression of the temporomandibular joint, especially in the lateral pole.

MRI: Comparison of the frontal section of the RIGHT TMJ closed mouth  before neurophysiological treatment, and the same  RIGHT TMJ closed mouth  after the COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE with the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Note the decompression of the temporomandibular joint, especially in the lateral pole. Note the arrows.

MRI: Comparison of the frontal section of the LEFT TMJ closed mouth, before neurophysiological treatment, and the same  LEFT TMJ closed mouth  after the COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE with the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Note the decompression of the temporomandibular joint.MRI: Comparison of the frontal section of the LEFT TMJ closed mouth, before neurophysiological treatment, and the same  LEFT TMJ closed mouth  after the COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE with the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Note the decompression of the temporomandibular joint. Note the arrows. MRI: Comparison of the sagittal section of the LEFT TMJ closed mouth, before neurophysiological treatment, and the same  LEFT TMJ closed mouth  after the COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE with the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Note the decompression of the temporomandibular joint.

MRI: Comparison of the sagittal section of the LEFT TMJ closed mouth, before neurophysiological treatment, and the same  LEFT TMJ closed mouth  after the COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE with the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Note the decompression of the temporomandibular joint.

MRI: Comparison of the sagittal section of the RIGHT  TMJ closed mouth, before neurophysiological treatment, and the same  RIGHT TMJ closed mouth  after the COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE with the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Note the decompression of the temporomandibular joint.

Improvement in the relationship between the mandibular condyle and the articular disk.

MRI: Comparison of the sagittal section of the RIGHT TMJ closed mouth, before neurophysiological treatment, and the same  RIGHT TMJ closed mouth  after the COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE with the three-dimensional orthodontics.

Note the decompression of the temporomandibular joint.

Improvement in the relationship between the mandibular condyle and the articular disk. Patient’s electromyography record in neurophysiological occlusion AFTER THE FINALIZATION OF THE THREE DIMENSIONAL ORTHODONTICS.

Note the symmetry of the masseter muscles.

The digastric muscles DO NOT ACTIVATE before the masseter muscles during swallowing. This implies that the patient closes the teeth and swallows and not the contrary as the first record in habitual occlusion before treatment..

This means that the objectives achieved in the FIRST PHASE with the DIO in neurophysiological position were held after the finalization of the THREE DIMENSIONAL ORTHODONTICS.

Patient’s electromyography records comparison:

Before the treatment in habitual occlusion.

With the DIO (intraoral device), in neurophysiological position, during the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

 AFTER THE FINALIZATION OF THE THREE DIMENSIONAL ORTHODONTICS.

Patient’s lateral radiograph comparison:

Before the treatment in habitual occlusion.

With the DIO (intraoral device), in neurophysiological position, during the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

 AFTER THE FINALIZATION OF THE THREE DIMENSIONAL ORTHODONTICS.

 Maxillomandibular values comparison: 

Before the treatment in habitual occlusion.

With the DIO (intraoral device), in neurophysiological position, during the FIRST PHASE of the treatment.

 AFTER THE FINALIZATION OF THE THREE DIMENSIONAL ORTHODONTICS.

In a recent revision after two years of completion of the SECOND PHASE with the three dimensional, I registered the habitual patient’s occlusion.

The patient continues free of symptoms.

In the postural mandible position and its complex three-dimensional relationship with the maxilla little details are essentials, especially in a hypermobile joint patient.

It is not a case of deep bite, not a case where simply moving the incisive guide anteriorly could solve the problem.

In the  images the three-dimensional compression in this patient looks SUBTLE, but no less devastating.

Each case is different and every human being is a unique individual.

 In the first evaluation, Dr. Lidia was very helpful explaining to me all the method of the treatment and what was necessary to achieve the expected results.

 Along the way, I had neither more headaches nor joint pain, I was pain free.

Everyone in the team was very devoted to my treatment, and I had in the end an excellent result.

Today I am very grateful to Dr. Lidia and her team for all the attention.

Big huge to everyone from clinica my.