Chiropractic Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A Retrospective Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe chiropractic treatment of 14 patients who presented with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).

METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of 14 patients, including 13 adults and 1 child. The majority of these patients were undergoing chiropractic care for spine-related conditions when they presented with additional TMD signs and symptoms. They were evaluated and treated with Activator Methods International published protocols relative to the temporomandibular joint before the addition of treatment to the suprahyoid muscles.

RESULTS: All pre- and postadjustment assessments were recorded using a numeric pain scale. The resulting average showed a reduction in the patients' pain scores from the initial visit of 8.3 ± 1.6 to the last visit at 1.4 ± 1.1 with an 80.9% ± 15.4% improvement. The average number of visits was 13.6 ± 8.2.

CONCLUSION: All patients selected for this case series showed a reduction of temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms.