IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT DECOMPRESSION THERAPY, WHEN REQUIRED, IS MOVING MANDIBLES TO A POSITION OF HEALTH … NOT AWAY FROM A HEALTHY POSITION TO A MORE ADVANCED POSITION. There is great confusion about the concept of joint decompression. Some TMD detractors will try to convince you that the jaw is being pulled out of its socket to create a false dental open bite thereby creating the need for unnecessary dental treatment. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact the majority of patients who require joint decompression can be weaned off the appliance after about 8-12 weeks of therapy.