What is a gnatologist and what symptoms should you go to him

Who is a gnathologist

Gnathologist is a dentist who deals with problems of the temporomandibular joint, and also helps to achieve the correct position of the jaws after implantation of teeth or correction of their position, for example, with the help of plates, braces or cap.

In the official list of medical specialties NoOrder of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Ministry of Health of Russia) of December 20, 2012 N 1183n Moscow "On approval of the Nomenclature of positions of medical workers and pharmaceutical workers" / Garant profession gnathologist. Therefore, a doctor who calls himself that, most likely completed a residency in orthodontics, orthopedics or surgical dentistry, and after that he underwent additional training.

What is the difference between a gnathologist and an orthodontist and orthopedist

All these specialists deal with pathologies of the dentition, that is, they provide a sufficient number of

teeth, which properly close and allow a person to chew, talk and look attractive. But they do it in different ways, so they often work together for a good result.

Orthodontist helpsFrequently Asked Questions / Orthodontics Australia correct the position of teeth in people with malocclusion, for example, if they grow too close and there is not enough space for them. He moves teeth with braces, aligners and other tools.

Orthopedist is engagedDepartment of Orthopedic Dentistry and Materials Science with a Course in Adult Orthodontics / First St. Petersburg State Medical University. acad. AND. P. Pavlova restoring the integrity of the dentition, for example, implantation. This is necessary so that the teeth close properly and the person can chew normally.

And here is the gnathologist studiesWhat is Gnathology? / International Academy of Gnathology American Section jaws, muscles, ligaments, nerves and movements in the temporomandibular joint and restores its proper functioning.

How to understand that a gnatologist should not be trusted

Now gnathology is often criticizeD.J. Rinchuse, S. Kandasamy. Myths of orthodontic gnathology / American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics for the fact that specialists began to depart from scientific principles. For example, some of them work using kinesiotherapy and osteopathy, which are not recognized by evidence-based medicine.

If you encounter solook for another specialist. After all, first of all, a gnatologist is a doctor, so he should recommend official treatment to you, and not dubious methods.

What diseases does a gnathologist treat?

Gnathologist healsAT. BUT. Khvatova. Clinical gnathology diseases of the temporomandibular joint and chewing muscles, such as:

• bruxism, that is, gnashing of teeth;
• musculoskeletal dysfunction - a violation of the normal movement of the jaws due to problems with the coordination of the joint and muscles;
• arthritis and arthrosis, that is, inflammation of the joint;
• structural anomalies;
• spontaneous destruction of the heads of the joint;
• neoplasms.

What are the symptoms to see a gnathologist?

Sign up1. TMJ disorders / Mayo Clinic
2. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders / Cleveland Clinic see a gnatologist if you feel pain at rest or while chewing:

• in the jaw;
• one or both temporomandibular joints;
• ear and around it;
• face;
• neck and back.

And also if:

• “jammed”, and the mouth does not open or close completely;
• it is difficult to open the mouth wide;
• have difficulty chewing;
• there was increased sensitivity of the jaw;
• clicking or grinding of the joint;
• swollen face on the side;
• the smile has become asymmetrical, the teeth are closed differently.

What will a gnathologist do?

Doctor first will askTMJ disorders / Mayo Clinic about complaints, ask questions about the disease and life, for example, about bad habitssuch as chewing on a pencil or pen.

He will examine the jaw at rest and in motion, listen to the sound with which the mouth opens, “feel” the muscles and the joint. In addition, the gnatologist will check the teeth to assess the bite, how the teeth meet and how worn the chewing surfaces are.

If it seems to him that there is some kind of violation, he will appoint:

• radiography;
• condylography - the study of movement in the joint;
• computed tomography;
• magnetic resonance imaging.

And then choose the treatment:

• painkillers;
• counseling with a psychotherapist and antidepressants;
• muscle relaxants;
• tires or caps;
• physiotherapy;
• arthrocentesis, that is, washing the joint with liquid using a small needle;
• injections of steroids into the joint or botulinum toxin into the masticatory muscles.

If these methods do not help, he will send to the maxillofacial surgeon or perform the operation himself:

• arthroscopy. A small flexible hose with a camera and an instrument is inserted directly into the joint cavity to examine it and, for example, remove a damaged part of the cartilage.
• Modified condylotomy. The doctor corrects the shape of the articular process of the lower jaw. This intervention affects the pain and dysfunction of the joint.
• Open surgery, such as moving a joint disc or replacing part or all of a joint with a prosthesis.