TMJ Cured - Fixing the Bite is the Answer

Both head and neck injuries and uncorrected bite problems can cause temporomandibular joint disorder, generally known as TMJ. The painful nature of this condition is not disputed, and the many seemingly unrelated problems like headaches are sometimes the only clue; but within the dental profession exactly how best to treat it is a controversial subject. Many dentists still prescribe splints and recommend patients to oral surgeons.
Such approaches, Dr. Philip L. Taylor argues, in his new book TMJ Cured: Fixing the Bite Is the Answer, are either ineffective over the long term or are unnecessary and can actually exacerbate underlying issues. Instead, Dr. Taylor advocates curing TMJ with a procedure called occlusal correction. The goal of this procedure is to achieve what is known as organic occlusion, in which the jaw is seated properly and the teeth fit together in a stable, even bite while harmonizing with the jaw’s position. In such cases correcting the tops of the teeth according to precise engineering principles will fix the problem and may also alleviate related issues such as headaches, muscle pain, joint sounds, and in some cases even problems with eyesight and digestion.
Dr. Taylor is a genuine expert in his field. He has been practicing dentistry since 1950 and studied the principles of gnathology (literally, “the science of the jaws”) in the 1960s with one of the founding fathers of the bite correction technique, Dr. Gus Swab. This approach revolutionized Dr. Taylor’s own practice and led him to realize how inadequate mainstream dental training is in certain respects. Now, Dr. Taylor is attempting to bring the principles of gnathology into the mainstream for the benefit of all who suffer from TMJ and its many side effects.
TMJ Cured provides an overview of the five requirements for fixing the pain using his process called organic occlusion. It also offers a critique of approaches to rectifying TMJ still used by many mainstream dentists. A spirited defense follows of the principles of gnathology and their effectiveness, which Dr. Taylor has witnessed time and again through his own practice. Additionally, the book traces the history of gnathology, celebrating its bold and brilliant pioneers.
Dr. Taylor also informs patients about what to expect after an actual bite correction procedure has been performed. Depending on the severity of the case, some subsequent fine-tuning may be necessary to compensate for what is known as “retreat,” or slight shifts in the jaw during the natural healing process. The book is rounded out with a fascinating TMJ case study involving the famous actor Burt Reynolds, along with powerful, moving testimonials by some of Dr. Taylor’s own patients, many of whose lives were changed drastically for the better through bite correction procedures.
TMJ Cured attempts to effect nothing less than a paradigm shift in the field of dentistry. By advocating sweeping changes in the dental profession’s approach to TMJ, Dr. Taylor sets the stage for significant advances in modern dentistry. Dentists need to know there is a superior approach to many of the problems they face, and patients suffering from TMJ need to know about this treatment alternative that could end their pain for good.