TMJA Survey: Your Opinions and Concerns Are Important to Us!
 We hope you are enjoying the summer! Each year at this time we ask you to tell us what is on your mind regarding Temporomandibular Disorders and The TMJ Association's activities. Your voice is vital in making sure the work we do addresses the needs of the patients. Click here to take the survey and let your voice be heard.
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Important Things to Know if You Have a TMJ Device!
How to View Complaints Online.
You can view complaints previously filed through the MedWatch system by
visiting the FDA's MAUDE reporting system
.
Recently, the TMJA received a question from a patient asking how to update a Medwatch filing once it's submitted. We contacted the FDA and they provided the following response: "In response to your question below about how to make corrections to a Medwatch report, the reporter may submit a letter to the same address which was used to submit the original complaint. The letter should contain the original complaint number and include the details about the fields which should be corrected. The reporter may also call 1-888-463-6332 to make the corrections."
Who owns YOUR TMJ device?
We have heard from a number of TMJ implant patients who have requested that their TMJ implant be returned to them after it was surgically removed. However they were told by their surgeon that the devices MUST be returned to the manufacturer. We asked the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the FDA for clarification.
Click here to find read their response to our question.
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TMJ Dental Care and YOU
The daily routine of brushing and flossing your teeth can be difficult when you suffer from Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). A study published in the Journal of Orofacial Pain states that patients felt their TMD symptoms made it difficult for them to do routine dental care at home. Also, the study found 63% of patients reported a change in seeking routine professional dental care due to their TMD. Since oral hygiene can become compromised due to limited range of motion and/or pain, regular dental exams and cleanings become even more important in maintaining your oral health.
The TMJ Association developed this guide to provide you with oral hygiene self-care tips you can do at home as well as suggestions for future dental appointments. Maintaining your teeth and gums on a routine basis should reduce the risk of dental disease and the need for invasive dental treatments. Click here to read full article.
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Study Cautions Use of Steroids for TMJ Arthritis in Children
A new study published in
The Journal of Rheumatology by scientists at the Aarhus University, Department of Pediatrics in Denmark looked at the effect of corticosteroid injections as a suggested treatment option for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). JIA is a chronic condition that can affect the joints in the body, including the temporomandibular joint, causing inflammation, which eventually damages the cartilage and bone. JIA interferes with a child's normal growth and development and in the TM joint can affect joint movement and chewing functions, severely impacting a child's quality of life. A suggested treatment that has increased over the years is to treat JIA with intra-articular corticosteroid injections (IACI). This treatment has been controversial as it raises concerns that the short-term inflammatory effects could be outweighed by long-term adverse effects on the growth of the jaw bone. Previously animal studies had reported negative effects of IACI on the TM joint.
This new study is the first to look at the development of the mandible when IACI is administered. Thirty-three children who received repeated IACI injections for existing TMJ inflammation were followed by the researchers for a five-year period. Periodic MRI scans were used to assess the development of the mandible over the time frame. The study found a reduction in inflammation in the TM joint, which was expected. "However, a novel finding of this study was that repeated IACIs did not prevent the development of osseous deformities or restore mandibular growth. In fact, significantly more pronounced joint destruction and mandibular growth reduction was seen in the group of patients that received the highest cumulative doses of intra-articular steroids when compared to those with lower cumulative intra-articular dose due to incorrect periiarticular injections." This study raises new concerns as the researchers also observed that 21% of the children who received IACI in the TM joint had intra-articular calcifications that can disable the joint, causing patients to experience even worse problems than prior to treatment.
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PATIENT EDUCATION & AWARENESS
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Free Educational Brochure: A Resource Guide for Temporomandibular Disorders
This brochure is a straightforward, easy-to-read guide for patients making health care decisions. The brochure is available
by mail or as a
PDF on our website.
We encourage you to share this brochure with your friends, health care professionals, and family.
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Free TMD Nutritional Guide Booklet
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Free Pain Resource Booklet
The Handbook for People with Pain: A Resource Guide, 5th edition is now available. This resource will help you on your day-to-day journey as you face challenges so often encountered by those who suffer from pain. This resource will provide you with a variety of information, ideas, and tools. Click here to learn more.
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Please consider contributing to The TMJ Association. We offer a number of ways you can do this. If you a re already a member of the TMJA family, you have our heartfelt thanks. We invite everyone to join us in changing the face of TMJ.
General Donation
Donate online via our donation service, GiveDirect, Paypal, or by check.
Other Ways to Donate Online
AmazonSmile
If you purchase items from Amazon, you can now help raise money for The TMJ Association with every purchase. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to The TMJ Association. It's like regular Amazon, but with the wonderful bonus of helping to raise money for our mission.
iGive
With over 700 stores in the iGive Mall, access to hundreds of exclusive coupons, free shipping deals and sales, iGive is the smart way to shop. Up to 26% of each purchase benefits The TMJ Association at no cost to you! Join iGive at www.iGive.com/TMJA.
eBay Giving Works
Buy and sell on eBay Giving Works to support The TMJ Association. As a seller, you can opt for a portion of your sale to be donated to The TMJ Association. As buyers, you can look for items that support a great cause! Click here to shop or sell on eBay to support The TMJ Association.
Donate By Searching! What Could Be Easier?
Use GoodSearch.com for your next Internet search and enter TMJ Association under "Who Do You GoodSearch For?" Every time you use GoodSearch money is generated for The TMJ Association. Every completed search raises approximately $0.01 for us! And since GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo, you will get proven, high-quality search results.
Donate Your Vehicle
The TMJA participates in the vehicle donation program for nonprofits. Click here to learn more.
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Did you know The TMJ Association is a recipient of the Independent Charities of America Seal of Excellence?
The Seal is awarded to nonprofits that have been independently reviewed annually and certified to meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. Of the 1,000,000+ charities operating in the United States today fewer than 2,500 have been awarded this Seal.
Please support our mission with your donation today!
"The TMJA is a great organization. I am impressed by your objectivity and transparency. Thank you for your hard work." - Lisa, Hummelstown, PA
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