Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Syndrome/Dental Health


Jump to:    Additional Articles


Peer Reviewed Journals:

The Dental-Chiropractic Cotreatment of Structural Disorders of the Jaw and Tem-poromandibular Joint Dysfunction. Chinappi AS JR; Getzoff H. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995 (Sep);18 (7): 476-481

  • The position of the jaw, head and neck are intricately linked. The acute symptoms experi-enced during the initial dental treatment phase were caused by the inability of the head and neck to adapt to maxillary and mandibular changes. Chiropractic enabled the body to respond positively to the dental changes. As the mandibular position improved, further improvements were indicated by physical testing and X-rays.


Chiropractic/Dental cotreatment of lumbosacral pain with temporomandibular (TMJ) joint involvement.   Chinappi AS and Getzoff H   J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996 (Nov-Dec);19 (9): 607-612

  • A 33 year old woman with centralized lumbosacral pain, after 30 months of chiropractic care was still experiencing some lower back pain and limited improvement and agreed to see an orthodontist who diagnosed a "Class 11 malocclusion with significant loss of vertical dimension, characteristic of bilateral posterior bite collapse."



  • From the abstract:   The cotreatment approach, which integrated dental orthopedic and craniochiropractic care, ameliorated the pain and improved head, jaw, neck and back function.



  • Conclusion:   The position of the jaw, head and vertebral column, including the lumbar region, are intricately linked. Orthodontic treatment improved the position of the mandible, which in turn enabled the body to respond to chiropractic care.



Additional Publications:

The relationship between impacted wisdom teeth, headaches, and persistent cervical fixations.   Dawson L, Frolund S.   The European Journal of Chiropractic 1992; 40:1-6.

  • The study group of 100 patients with one or more impacted wisdom teeth was selected by viewing each patient's antero-posterior and lateral cervical x-rays. A control group of 100 subjects without impacted wisdom teeth was chosen in a similar manner..after statistical analysis of the data.a significant relationship was demonstrated between impacted wisdom teeth and headaches, headaches and persistent cervical fixations and impacted wisdom teeth and persistent cervical fixations. A number of instances are cited in which recurrent cervical VSC with concomitant headache were resolved following extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth.


Forward head posture: Its structural and functional influence on the stomatognathic system, a conceptual study.   Gonzalez H, Mann A.   Cranio. 1996 (Jan);14 (1): 71-80

  • There is a correlation between forward head posture and TMJ dysfunction.


Birth induced TMJ dysfunction: the most common cause of breastfeeding difficulties.   Arcadi, VC, Sherman Oaks, CA,   Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics. Oct, 1993 Palm Springs, CA. Pub. International Chiropractors Assoc., Arlington, VA.

  • In a clinical setting, 1,000 newborns were observed and treated (ages one hour to 21 days), for failure and/or difficulty with breast-feeding. In 800 or 80%, birth induced Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction was found to be the cause. In all cases, the babies were treated with chiropractic cranial and spinal adjustments, with excellent results in 99% of the cases. This paper discusses the basic clinical findings, related newborn discomforts, and associated symptomatology involving other symptoms. The above babies were all born with a lay midwife and without drugs in a calm, warm, peaceful setting. All babies were born vaginally. All babies were examined and in all cases a cranial distortion was present due to the birth process and trauma which produced a TMJ dysfunction, interruption proper suckling mechanics by causing severe headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances.


A multi-faceted chiropractic approach to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A case report.   Barnes, T.A.   ICA Int'l Review of Chiropractic. Jan/Feb 1995 pp.41-43.

  • An 11-year-old boy with medically diagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has been a patient and student at the Kentuckiana Children's Center for three years...His case shows a history of early disruptive experience, repeated ear infections, consistent temporomandibular joint dysfunction, heavy metal intoxication, food allergy, environmental sensitivity and multiple levels of biomechanical alteration. This report emphasizes the need for care in all aspects of the structural, chemical and mental triangle of health in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. "He has improved academically and has advanced to the next grade level...he recognizes that he has control over his behavior and there is hope that he will be mainstreamed back into a regular public school setting soon...his mother says she notices improvement in his attention span and temper."