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The TMJ, also known as the temporomandibular joint, connects the temporal process of the maxilla (upper jaw) to the mandible (lower jaw). Often people will incorrectly state that they have TMJ when they are referring to TMJ related pain, more commonly known as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). TMD represents a broad term to describe muscle and joint related pain affecting the TMJ. Orofacial pain dentists treat and manage TMD along with other orofacial pain conditions.
Orofacial pain is the field of dentistry focused on treating and managing pain affecting the head and neck that is not dental in origin. This includes jaw pain, headaches (migraines, tension type headaches, cluster headaches), nerve pain (neuropathy and neuralgia), neck pain and shoulder pain as well as burning mouth syndrome, oral mucositis-related pain and pain from oral ulcers (mouth sores).
What is Orofacial Pain?

What is Dental Oncology?
what is dental oncology
Dental oncology is an area of dentistry focusing on the dental and oral manifestations of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or head and neck surgery. Dentists trained in dental oncology are committed to working closely with oncologists and others involved in a patient's cancer therapy to enhance the patient's quality of life before, during, and after treatment in several ways. First, these dentists evaluate patients before they undergo stem cell and bone marrow transplants, receive anti-resorptive medications (such as bisphosphonates) or chemotherapy, and undergo radiation treatment. Additionally, they provide periodic dental care during and after cancer therapy. They treat and manage the dental and oral side effects of cancer therapy such as mucositis, mouth sores, thrush, and dry mouth, as well as perform general dental treatment. Dentists with dental oncology training are also knowledgeable in the developmental side effects of cancer therapy and are equipped to treat pediatric patients with a history of cancer.
As a dentist with advanced training in dental oncology from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Lauren Levi has extensive experience in providing dental care to patients before, during, and after cancer treatment and in treating patients who face individualized dental needs because of these programs.
What is Orofacial Pain?
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