Device for therapeutic treatment of the temporomandibular and maxillomandibular region and method for using same

A device to treat the temporomandibular joint of a patient comprising:

• a fabric layer anatomically configured to contact the temporomandibular joint, the chin and the parietal area of a patient, having an extension around the angle of the jaw and the temporomandibular joint;
• an inflatable layer to direct compression to the temporomandibular joint;
• said inflatable layer attached to said fabric layer;
• a heater for heating the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint and temporal regions;
• said heater attached to said fabric layer;
• a heat conductive layer covering said inflatable layer;
• and
• a hard plate placed on said fabric layer, wherein said plate is lateral to the patient's skin to resist bulging of said inflatable layer when inflated.

A device to treat the maxillomandibular region of a patient comprising;

• a fabric layer anatomically configured to contact the maxillomandibular region, the chin and the parietal area of a patient, having an extension around the angle of the jaw;
• an inflatable layer to direct compression to the maxillomandibular region;
• said inflatable layer attached to said fabric layer;
• and
• a hard plate removably placed on said fabric layer, wherein said plate is lateral to the patient's skin to resist bulging of said inflatable layer.