Hello Everyone,

I am curious if anyone has had any experience or cases where a patient sought out regenerative/stem cell therapy to treat a TMJ condition? I have a young patient (25y.o) with a Piper 4a/4b condition. Left side disc is off and the right side is better but still high risk. This was confirmed with an MRI recently. We recommended a surgery consult with Dr. Piper. Prior to the MRI I referred her to a fellow dentist in my study club and he has offered some secondary options to manage the TMJ condition since she is trying to avoid surgery. She has not committed to any treatment with him as of yet. She is now seeking other options to treat this condition. I made her a flat plane occlusal splint several months ago and she wears that. This collegue that I referred her to works with Dr. McKee and has been amazing trying to help me work thru this with her. I have completed numerous restorations on her over the past 2 years. Unfortunately I took her case when she had several teeth with decay, temp crowns, failing root canals, etc. Her father is a friend of mine.

I have tried so hard to help this patient. She recently asked for her records and now is coming to see me this evening. I am so reluctant to "approve of" or speak on anything with respect to Stem Cell/Regenerative therapy to treat a TMJ condition this severe.

Does anyone know of any stories/studies good or bad with respect to this type of approach to treat a chronic TMJ condition that is currently flared up? She recently had dental work completed 8 weeks ago with me. I saw her once for a follow up to check the restorations and she did not report any jaw pain on that follow up appt. When she called me yesterday and asked if she could come in this evening for me to check something on her cheek. I asked her how she's been feeling with her jaw and she informed that she has her first treatment tomorrow for Stem Cell regeneration??

My questions are: Is it my place to ask who and what this treatment is? Ask if the person providing this treatment has treated cases like hers with success? Did he review the MRI with her?

Since I have informed her that I do not have extensive experience on managing more complex chronic TMJ, and referred her to another person more qualified, am I still obligated to ask these questions? I am now out of my comfort zone.

I appreciate any advice on this from anyone.

Thank you again,

Kimet