Personal Injury
If you suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, you can’t entrust your medical care to just anyone. TMJ is a complex medical condition that manifests in different ways for different patients. Your challenges related to this condition may range from mild to debilitating. There are also many underlying reasons why patients develop TMJ such as a personal injury from a car accident. You need to work with someone who understands how to treat your unique form of TMJ and who will not treat you like “just another” TMJ patient.
When you’re looking for someone to treat your TMJ, don’t simply approach your family doctor or dentist and assume that they can provide you with the care that you need. Especially if your TMJ is moderate or severe, you suffer from other medical conditions, and/or you’re relatively young and your condition is statistically likely to worsen over time, you’ll want to seek the personalized feedback and guidance of a TMJ treatment specialist.
Experience and Focus
It cannot be emphasized enough that you need someone who has extensive experience treating TMJ specifically when addressing your personal healthcare needs. There are many excellent doctors and dentists practicing today. But not all of them have the requisite experience treating TMJ specifically that you’ll need if you want to receive the most insightful, thoughtful, and effective treatment plan possible. Take your time researching so that you can find someone whose experience reflects the kind of care you deserve.
An Approach that Meets Your Needs
As an experienced TMJ treatment specialist can confirm, not every reputable TMJ specialist approaches their practice in the same way. For example, some providers are primarily concerned with treating as many patients as they possibly can. As a result, some elements of the patient’s experience may be compromised in the interests of speedy service.
You’ll want to schedule a consultation with any specialist whose practice otherwise seems to meet your needs on paper before committing to pursuing treatment under their care. By visiting their office, having a discussion with them, and meeting their support staff, you’ll get a strong sense of their “bedside manner,” patient care approach, and treatment priorities. If you feel uncomfortable – for literally any reason whatsoever – after meeting with a specialist, schedule a consultation with the next provider on your list.
You’re in pain and you’re in need of care from someone whose approach meets your needs. Don’t be afraid to “shop around” until you find someone with whom you can work effectively and comfortably.
Special Considerations
If receiving dental care makes you truly anxious, you may need to seek out a TMJ specialist who offers sedation dentistry services. If you are concerned about your out-of-pocket costs, you may need to speak with you insurance provider about which specialists in your area are in-network. If your pain is so severe that you’re prone to migraines, you may need to find a specialist who is located particularly close to home. Don’t forget to take your unique needs and circumstances into consideration before scheduling a consultation.