Dr. Frank Dolwick: Discussion on the Evolution of TMJ Surgery and the Benefits of Arthrocentesis

Today’s guest, Dr. Frank Dolwick, has been a TMJ surgeon for over 50 years, since the days when focusing on TMJ patients would earn you the lowest ranking position in the US Air Force! In fact, Frank was one of the people who was instrumental in evolving this type of surgery and elevating it within the medical field, as you will hear today, and he is now considered a giant in the TMJ specialty. In this episode, you will also learn about the two categories of pain that TMJ patients fall into (myalgia and joint) and the differences between how each of these problems should be approached, the numerous benefits of doing arthrocentesis procedures rather than arthroscopies, and why oral surgeons need to change the way we think about pain! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Frank shares an overview of his educational background and the early days of his oral surgery career. 
• Ray White; the surgeon who introduced Frank to TMJ surgery. 
• How TMJ surgery has changed over the years that Frank has been working as an oral surgeon. 
• Pros and cons of the technological advancements in TMJ surgery. 
• Frank’s experience as a TMJ surgeon in the US air force. 
• The disastrous period of the alloplastic implants.
• When and how arthroscopy was introduced in the United States. 
• Frank’s first time doing a joint lavage and what the outcome was.
• The numerous reasons that Frank sees arthrocentesis as his most significant contribution to the oral surgery field.
• Advice for young surgeons regarding TMJ. 
• How TMJ patients today differ from the TMJ patients Frank was treating in the early days of his career. 
• Two categories that TMJ patients generally fall into. 
• Frank’s advice on getting myalgia problems under control.
• How Frank treats TMJ patients who only have joint pain.
• Factors that determine whether Frank will use steroids of PRGF when doing an arthrocentesis procedure. 
• Circumstances under which Frank will conduct an arthroscopy. 
• Why the decision to do an open joint surgery should not be taken lightly.
• The benefits of botox in treating myalgia patients. 
• Frank’s opinion on total joint replacement surgery, and the success rate that he sees with these procedures. 
• Why you can’t eliminate chronic pain with total joint replacement surgery.
• Examples of places where you can go to learn about arthroscopy and arthrocentesis. 
• The length of time Frank spends on his initial consultations with TMJ patients. 
• How we, as oral surgeons, need to change our mindset with regard to pain. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Frank Dolwick Email — fdolwick@dental.uf.edu

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059