Non Surgical Management of Temporomandibular Disorders
Speaker
Dr. Stefania Brazzoli is a clinician, educator, and researcher with an international background in dentistry and a focus on orofacial pain. She earned her DDS with honors in Italy and a Master of Medicine in Pain Management from the University of Sydney. She completed her orofacial pain residency at the University of Rochester and a fellowship in pain management at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Now an Instructor at Penn Dental Medicine, she teaches, mentors, and treats patients with complex pain disorders. Board-certified in orofacial pain, she is also an active contributor to research and has earned awards for academic and teaching excellence.
Disclosure: Dr. Brazzoli has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Course Description
The presentation provides an evidence-based overview of non-surgical management for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), focusing on muscle and joint conditions defined by the DC/TMD. It begins with a brief review of classification and common clinical presentations such as myofascial pain, disc displacement, and arthralgia. The core of the talk addresses conservative treatments, including patient education, self-care, physical therapy, occlusal appliances, medications, and cognitive-behavioral strategies. Emphasis is placed on the biopsychosocial model and current guidelines to support individualized, long-term care. The goal is to enhance clinician confidence in conservative TMD management and reduce reliance on invasive interventions.
Educational Objectives
Contact
PDMContinuingEd@dental.upenn.edu