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1/30/2017 |
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Precision Medicine Overcomes Painful TMD Treatment |
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Precision Medicine Overcomes Painful TMD Treatment by Brian Meshkin Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), one the most painful and difficult to treat disorders facing the dental profession, currently plagues roughly 10 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Perhaps the most frustrating element of TMD is the way it affects every patient differently. Without a common blueprint for treatment, dentists and oral surgeons, for years, have labored over just how to handle this elusive condition—mainly relying on self-reported pain as the main determining factor for prescribing medication and, in some serious cases, performing surgeries. But with recent advances in precision medicine testing, there are now efficient, evidence-based methods of determining the pathways underlying each individual patient’s TMD pain and what treatment options are predicted to be the most effective, with the lowest risk of side effects. Recent Developments The world of precision medicine testing is swiftly evolving. Completed in 2003, the Human Genome Project has provided an incredible understanding of our DNA. With a general map to the biological makeup of all humans, the medical world now has an invaluable guide for diagnosing and treating a host of illnesses, disorders, and conditions. Moreover, in just the last decade or so, scientists and physicians have finally begun to bring healthcare’s understanding of DNA to the next level, uncovering specific biomarkers that can help evaluate an individual’s predisposition for certain health issues, along with varying levels of pain and symptoms. As a result, the industry has been able to create effective assessment tools, such as precision medicine profiles, to assist in the management of painful ailments, like TMD, despite the fact that it manifests differently from patient to patient. Read full article on Dentistry Today.
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