William Rea MD

When I lived in the Dallas area I had the privilege of seeing William Rea MD, FACS, FAAEM. He has diagnosed and treated many patients with TMJ implants, as well as, published in the Medical Journals about his treatment. The first implants were done in Texas so there was a large concentration of patients in the area. Of course, he has had patients come from around the states and the world for his diagnoses and treatments. I made an appointment after reading the research article written by him and Deborah N. Baird. After various tests he diagnosed me with "Toxic encephalopathy, immune deregulation, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and multiple chemical sensitivities."

"Fourteen patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) alloplastic implants who exhibit chronic signs and symptoms of chemical sensitivity are discussed. These patients were well before their implantation. Memory loss, confusion, imbalance, dizziness, non-immune vasculitis, petechiae, spontaneous bruising, edema, Raynaud's phenomenon, pain and autoimmune dysfunction are some of the symptoms and signs seen. Laboratory data show immunological abnormalities, including positive autoantibodies and altered T and B lymphocyte function. Provocation skin testing shows reaction to their implant material. The symptoms of patients with jaw implants are similar to those patients who experience complications from their breast implants. Similar abnormalities are seen with SPECT brain scan, in the autonomic nervous system, as well as laboratory data. All patients were sensitive to a wide variety of substances including toxic and in some cases to non-toxic chemicals (foods, pollens and molds). These same parameters were also similar in the patient with a known toxic chemical exposure without implants. A comparative discussion of the different parameters in all three types of patient is presented. A successful therapeutic intervention was developed using a massive pollutant avoidance program, nutritional supplementation and injection therapy for biological inhalants, foods and some chemicals. When indicated, intravenous therapy with antioxidants and heat depuration was added to their treatment regimen." Baird, D.N., &Rea, W.J. (1999). The Temporomandibular Joint Implant Controversy. Part II: Its Clinical Implications. Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Volume 9 (no.3), pp. 209-222.

I would like to note that the breast implants were never recalled by the FDA. The Vitek implant was recalled by the FDA because of "catastrophic devastation." The FDA Enforcement Report has stated "Debris in the joint from the implants can contribute to progressive bone degeneration of the condyle of the mandible and/or glenoid fossa and to foreign body responses which could start at this area and be carried throughout the immune system." http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/ENF00033.html [This page has been removed from the FDA website]