Innovative Therapies
Craniofacial pain disorders involve symptoms that may originate from vascular (blood vessels), neurogenic (nerve), or structural anatomy in the head, face, and neck. Structural sources maybe bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the skull and cervical regions. Examples of common craniofacial disorders are:
- Headaches - including tension, postural, “migraine” and cluster-types
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- TMJ conditions
- Sore jaw muscles
- Tendonitis
- Ligament strains.
Classic Treatment
Classic treatments by various healthcare professionals are often focused on providing patients relief from pain and other symptoms using prescription medications or invasive surgical interventions. Medication therapy, while providing palliative management, can cause side effects that may alter sleep patterns and daytime functioning and have long-term systemic and metabolic repercussions, especially to the stomach, liver, and kidney. Surgeries run the risk of irreversible complications such as neuropathies, permanent paresthesia (numbness), and limitations to range of motion.
Innovative Therapies
Methodical, conservative, and innovative therapies are the current approach to many craniofacial pain disorders. These limit unwanted side effects and potential surgical complications while focusing on treating the true source of the disorder. Most are pain-free and drug-free. Many incite the body’s own healing process and enable the body to regenerate bone, ligaments, and tendons.
Regenerative therapies include the application of laser energy, the use of unique formulations, and one’s own blood products that are applied to or placed strategically into the area in need of repair or resolution of symptoms. All can serve to rebuild damaged anatomy, eliminate debilitating symptoms, and restore pain-free function.
Innovative Treatments available at Pittsburgh Dental Sleep Medicine include:
- Manipulation for Jaw Unlocking
- Prolotherapy
- Trigger Point Muscle Injections
- Steroid Injections
- Platelet Rich Fibrin Regenerative Therapy
- Migraine and Cluster Headache Therapy
Call Us Today to Schedule a Consultation
Consultation, a thorough clinical examination, and assessment can determine if your craniofacial pain or TMJ disorder can benefit from the innovative therapies offered by our dental specialist, Dr. Michael Hnat, at the McMurray location.
Michael F. Hnat DMD, FAACP, has had extensive education and training in the fields of Craniofacial Pain and TMJ Disorders. Dr. Hnat completed the prestigious mini-residency in TMJ Disorders from Tufts School of Dental Medicine and the mini-residency in Craniofacial Pain through the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP). He also completed his Fellowship in Craniofacial Pain through the AACP.
He holds Board Certifications from the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine as well as the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. His concern and passion for helping individuals with head, face, and neck pain are evident in the care he provides to his patients.
