Dental CE Course: Piper Comprehensive TMJ Science

This course will cover the key concepts of internal joint derangements and occlusal abnormalities in the patient with TMD. Although designed as an introduction to the diagnosis and management of the majority of TMD patients, the more complex and rare occlusal disturbances related to condylar degeneration will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on team building with general or restorative dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and pain management experts. Topics of particular interest to each specialty will be discussed, and most importantly this course will teach basic concepts of normal and deranged joint structures, occlusal analysis and therapeutic goals, and facial pain patterns common to the TMD patient. The overall goal of this course is to give each participant a complete format to diagnose, treatment plan and sequence the management of TMD patients. Attendance with team members is encouraged.
Learning Objectives
Normal anatomy of the temporomandibular joint
Pathology of temporomandibular joint structures
Whiplash and the temporomandibular joint
Factors that dictate whether or not a disc can be reduced
Taking the core TMD history
Taking a complete trauma history
Introduction to the TMJ Triad
The Piper Classification of TMJ Disorders
The soft tissue stages of internal derangement
Medial disk herniation: the "Bad Part of Town"
Disorders of the condylar head
Condylar regression and adaptation
Dawson 's Classification of Occlusion
Piper Pain Classification of TMD Patients
Differential diagnosis of facial pain
Pain patterns in children
How disk displacements alter occlusal relationships
Integration of the Piper, Dawson, and Angle classifications