- Are the symptoms I describe typical of other TMJ patients you have seen? If so, in what way?
- How will you decide whether or not I have TMJ? What diagnostic tools will you use?
- What treatments do you recommend?
- How long will my treatment(s) last?
- When should I expect improvement?
- Would it be helpful to receive any muscle relaxants, pain relievers, or other medication? How long should these be taken, and how are the best used?
- Is the treatment you are recommending only a first step, to relieve pain, or do you think this treatment itself will solve the problem?
- Are long-term therapies, such as braces, equilibration (grinding the tooth surface to correct bite), arthroscopy, or other surgery, recommended in my case?
- If I am given a splint: How many hours a day should I wear it? When can it be safely taken out? Is the splint being used to correct a poor bite pattern, or am I receiving a splint only to stop teeth grinding?
- Will my treatment be covered by my insurance? What are the expected costs? What percentage of the cost will I have to pay?
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