Therabite Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System
The TheraBite® Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System™ is a portable system specifically designed to treat trismus and mandibular hypomobility. The system utilizes repetitive passive motion and stretching to restore mobility and flexibility of the jaw musculature, associated joints, and connective tissues.
The TheraBite system is the only device available which provides patients with anatomically correct jaw motion. It also helps reduce patients’ anxiety by allowing them to control the extent and length of each stretch. While conventional therapies offer mostly stretching to increase jaw opening, the TheraBite system provides both anatomically correct stretching and passive motion for effective jaw rehabilitation therapy
Benefits:
The TheraBite system is clinically proven to be more effective than exercises and tongue depressors. Since it is hand-operated, the TheraBite system avoids the cost and complexity of continuous passive motion (CPM) devices. Jaw rehabilitation exercises are effective when they are carried out daily on a continual basis. The TheraBite system offers a home rehabilitation program that encourages continuity and compliance, hence allowing patients to reap the full beneficial value wherever they are. The TheraBite system has been used successfully by thousands of individuals suffering from trismus.
The Therabite system cost me about $400 Canadian plus taxes. (Our Canadian taxes are 13%). You can also buy replacement cushion pads that your teeth close onto for about $10 a set.
The TheraBite system is the only device available which provides patients with anatomically correct jaw motion. It also helps reduce patients’ anxiety by allowing them to control the extent and length of each stretch. While conventional therapies offer mostly stretching to increase jaw opening, the TheraBite system provides both anatomically correct stretching and passive motion for effective jaw rehabilitation therapy
Benefits:
- increases jaw opening
- mobilizes joints
- reduces pain
The TheraBite system is clinically proven to be more effective than exercises and tongue depressors. Since it is hand-operated, the TheraBite system avoids the cost and complexity of continuous passive motion (CPM) devices. Jaw rehabilitation exercises are effective when they are carried out daily on a continual basis. The TheraBite system offers a home rehabilitation program that encourages continuity and compliance, hence allowing patients to reap the full beneficial value wherever they are. The TheraBite system has been used successfully by thousands of individuals suffering from trismus.
The Therabite system cost me about $400 Canadian plus taxes. (Our Canadian taxes are 13%). You can also buy replacement cushion pads that your teeth close onto for about $10 a set.
The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complicated joints in your body. You have one on each side of your face, just in front of your ears, where the temporal bone of the skull connects to the lower jaw (mandible). Your TMJs open and close like a hinge and slide forward, backward, and from side to side. When you bite and chew, they sustain an enormous amount of pressure.
As with other joints, the surfaces of your TMJs are covered with cartilage. Like the knee joint, the two parts of the joint are separated by a small disc, or meniscus, that prevents the bones from rubbing against each other. Muscles that enable you to open and close your mouth also serve to stabilize these joints, which are located about one-half inch (1.25 cm) in front of each ear canal.
If you place your fingers just in front of your ears and open your mouth, you can feel the joint and its movement. When you open your mouth, the rounded ends of the lower jaw (condyles) glide along the joint socket of the temporal bone. The condyles slide back to their original position when you close your mouth. To keep this motion smooth, a soft disc of cartilage lies between the condyle and the temporal bone. This disc absorbs shock to the temporomandibular joint from chewing and other movements. Chewing creates a strong force. This disc distributes the forces of chewing throughout the joint space.
As with other joints, the surfaces of your TMJs are covered with cartilage. Like the knee joint, the two parts of the joint are separated by a small disc, or meniscus, that prevents the bones from rubbing against each other. Muscles that enable you to open and close your mouth also serve to stabilize these joints, which are located about one-half inch (1.25 cm) in front of each ear canal.
If you place your fingers just in front of your ears and open your mouth, you can feel the joint and its movement. When you open your mouth, the rounded ends of the lower jaw (condyles) glide along the joint socket of the temporal bone. The condyles slide back to their original position when you close your mouth. To keep this motion smooth, a soft disc of cartilage lies between the condyle and the temporal bone. This disc absorbs shock to the temporomandibular joint from chewing and other movements. Chewing creates a strong force. This disc distributes the forces of chewing throughout the joint space.
Total Joint Replacement Online Information:
These two websites are from the manufacturers of TMJ Prosthesis and were recommended by my surgeon as good reading material:
- Lorenz Stock by Biomet Microfixation: http://biometmicrofixation.com/downloads/BMF-7014%20TMJBro%20(d)4Final.pdf (See picture below)
- W. Lorenz Total TMJ Replacement System Patient Information http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/02/briefing/3889b1_tmj%20patient%20information%20final.pdf
- TMJ Concepts: http://www.tmjconcepts.com/patbro.html
TMJ Forums & Websites:
There are several forums on the internet, including this one which I used: MD Junction http://www.mdjunction.com/tmj I find forums useful to reach out and contact others who are in the same boat as I am. It is nice to have a friend who understands what you are going through.
Additional Web Based Resources:
Additional Web Based Resources:
- http://www.tmj.org
- http://www.tmjtmd.com
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001227.htm
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tmj-disorders/DS00355
- http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/temporomandibular-disorder
- http://www.medicinenet.com/temporomandibular_joint__disorder/article.htms
- http://www.aaoms.org/tmj.php
- http://www.musclecaretmj.com
- TMD/TMJ (temporomandibular disorders). American Dental Association Website. http://www.ada.org/public/topics/tmd_tmj.asp.
- Beuscher JJ. Temporomandibular joint disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76(10):1477
- Hampton T. Improvements needed in management of temporomandibular joint disorders. JAMA. 2008;299(10):1119-1121.
- Scrivani SJ, Keith DA, Kaban LB. Temporomandibular disorders. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:2693-2705.
- TMJ Disorders. National Institute of Dental or Craniofacial Research. Published 2009. NIH Publications No. 06-3487. www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/TMJ/TMJDisorders.htm