TMJ & Facial Pain Center, Dr. Wesley Shankland
It is probable that you or someone you know suffers with headaches that are mild to incapacitating. How many doctors does it take to diagnose and treat the cause for headaches or orofacial pain? In a research study conducted by Dr. Shankland (and subsequently published in the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice in 2008), he discovered that he was the sixth doctor, on average, that patients saw before the actual diagnosis for their pain problem was determined. Unfortunately, not all headaches are created equal and often times are misdiagnosed and go untreated. TMJ is the abbreviation for the anatomical term Temporomandibular Joint, or the jaw joint.
The TMJ is simply the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull and allows you to open and close your mouth freely. Sounds simple? Not so for TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) sufferers: Opening the mouth, chewing, and talking – functional movement we take for granted – can be excruciatingly painful, debilitating and chronically affect normal day to day activities. Finding a specialist who treats TMJ is one of the most difficult challenges for sufferers. Dr. Wesley Shankland has been the doctor to trust for over 35 years when seeking successful diagnosis and pain management for TMJ and orofacial pain disorders.
Listed below are common pain disorders, along with a brief description of each, that are often misdiagnosed as TMJ problems.
READ MORETemporal tendonitis (or, tendinitis) is perhaps one of the most common craniofacial pain disorders seen in clinical practice.
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Headaches are one of the most common pain problems which plague mankind. There are many categories of headaches, many of which are caused by temporomandibular disorders, grinding or clenching of the teeth or other craniofacial pain disorders.
READ MOREMyofascial Pain Dysfunction is a musculoskeletal problem which produces headaches, muscle pain and is often confused with a temporomandibular joint problem.
READ MOREDr. Wesley Shankland is considered an international expert on all forms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and clenching is one of these disorders.
READ MORESnoring is common in adults and as one ages, snoring becomes more prevalent. But oftentimes, the person snoring is not the only affected.
READ MOREServing patients from around the world
Local Accessibility, Global Appeal
Dr. Shankland is a globally recognized author, speaker, and educator who has dedicated his life to treating patients with head, neck and facial pain disorders, as well as educating healthcare practitioners on recognizing and treating the many disorders that fall under the umbrella term, TMJ. He has authored more than 150 scientific papers and is the author of two well-respected books, Face the Pain and TMJ: It’s Many Faces. The US World Report listed the best selling book, TMJ: It’s Many Faces, as the book to read on temporomandibular joint disorders.
Patients have traveled from nearly every state, providence and continent to consult with Dr. Shankland, including South America, South Africa, Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Australia, China and Russia. Dr. Shankland has served the Central Ohio area for 35 years with his considerable experience, knowledge, training and treatment of painful TMJ disorders.
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