Dr. Didier is a recognized specialist in the area of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain. He is one of fewer than 240 practitioners worldwide to be recognized by the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. He is presently has been affiliated with the American Headache Society, the American Pain Society, The American academy of Craniomandibular Practice and was a charter member of the American Academy for Functional Orthodontics. There are many philosophies in the treatment of TMJ related disorders and Dr. Didier has strived to keep current on all of them. Dr. Didier’s philosophy of treatment is conservative using a intense diagnostic session to pinpoint the exact cause or causes of patient discomfort.
Dr. Didier completed a mini-residency at the University Of Califonia School Of Dentistry for three years. He was invited by world renowned authority, Chuck Mc Neil to become Associate Professor in the Department of TMJ disorders and Orofacial Pain. He was also trained as a certified acupuncturist at the University of California.
Dr. Didier has been a provider for Kaiser Permanente and multiple insurance companies and hospitals in treating pain disorders in the head and neck. He interacts with physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists and when indicated uses alternative remedies to treat pain.
TMJ disorders are a group of complaints related to the lower jaw joint and its connection to your skull. The bones, connecting disc, muscles nerves and ligament can be affected. These disorders are characterized by pain in front of the ear, noises in the joint (clicking and popping) the inability to open wide, changes in your bite and neck and ear problems to name a few. Many times headaches and tightness of muscles in the face accompany these disorders.
Orofacial pain is a discipline dedicated to the diagnosis of many unique pain and headache syndromes that can occur in the face. These can involve nerve dysfunction, spinal problems and rare headache and blood vessel diseases.
The first appointment involves a thorough history of the patient’s complaint and an exhaustive diagnostic assessment. Treatment can be as simple as simple home treatments and education or can range to stabilizing the jaw with special appliances and then refining the bite relationship of the teeth.
We are trained to recognize the specialized care needed to restore function to injured joints and restore a quality of life to our patients.
If you have answered yes to some of these questions you are a candidiate for a TMJ examination. Call Teryl at our office at 707-525-1501 to schedule an examination appointment.