TMJ is a painful condition that can stem from both head and neck injuries and uncorrected bite problems. While the agonizing nature of this condition is not disputed, within the dental profession exactly how best to treat is a controversial subject.

Many dentists still prescribe splints and recommend patients to oral surgeons.

Such approaches, Dr. Philip L. Taylor argues, in his new book TMJ Cured: Fixing the Bite Is the Answer, are either ineffective over the long term or are unnecessary and can actually exacerbate underlying issues.

Instead, Dr. Taylor advocates curing TMJ with a procedure called occlusal correction. The goal of this procedure is to achieve what is known as organic occlusion, in which the jaw is seated properly and the teeth fit together in a stable, even bite while harmonizing with the jaw's position. If the jaw, for whatever reason, can't find a stable position, a person may experience clenching and grinding. In such cases correcting the tops of the teeth according to precise engineering principles will fix the problem and may also alleviate related issues such as headaches, muscle pain, joint sounds, and in some cases even problems with eyesight and digestion.

TMJ Cured attempts to effect nothing less than a paradigm shift in the field of dentistry. By advocating sweeping changes in the dental profession's approach to TMJ, Dr. Taylor sets the stage for significant advances in modern dentistry. Dentists need to know there is a superior approach to many of the problems they face, and patients suffering from TMJ need to understand the treatment alternatives that will work best for them.