Wellness

[loisp]

I recently paid $650 for my nightguard and am hoping I don't grind through it.

[JasoninBoston]

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@loisp wrote:

I recently paid $650 for my nightguard and am hoping I don't grind through it.

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wow!  It's a good thing I haven't been shopping too much lately so I can save up for some of these expenses!! 

[GSPgirl]

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@JasoninBoston wrote:

I hadn't been feeling well and the my primary care Dr. suggested I get a second opinion for diagnosis the ENT Dr. gave me.  The second opinion ENT Dr. told me the headaches and dizziness experiencing the past several months is actually TMJ/ TMD.

I also had a recent change of dose to my thyroid medication and have seen a specialist for that in the meantime.  

I am seeing a TMJ specialist in a few weeks and I am just curious as to what others have been through done for this same diagnosis.  I have felt so horrible the past few months.....

Thank you for your input either way. 

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In the 80's everyone had TMJ.  It was a scam.  So many dentists were getting big bucks for diagnosing and prescribing mouth guards to wear during the day.  They weren't pretty.  I was one of those unlucky people. I never had it and the second doc I went to said I grinded my teeth, so I wore a mouth guard at night at it cured it,  I was under a lot of stress from my divorce.  

[GSPgirl]

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@JasoninBoston wrote:

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@loisp wrote:

I recently paid $650 for my nightguard and am hoping I don't grind through it.

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wow!  It's a good thing I haven't been shopping too much lately so I can save up for some of these expenses!! 

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My dentist said the ones over the counter are just fine.

[patbz]

I had severe TMJ for a number of years and consulted a number of doctors and dentists.  Finally found relief when my dentist unlocked my jaw and repositioned it.  That was an office visit over 25 years ago and I haven't had any TMJ problems since.

[JasoninBoston]

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@patbz wrote:

I had severe TMJ for a number of years and consulted a number of doctors and dentists.  Finally found relief when my dentist unlocked my jaw and repositioned it.  That was an office visit over 25 years ago and I haven't had any TMJ problems since.

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May I please ask how he unlocked it?  Was it a surgical procedure? Thanks in advance!!! 

[Q4u]

YES!  I have had TMJ since about the age of 8.  I remember putting my jaw against the refrigerator because it relieved the "hurt" I had in my jaw.  I quite chewing gum as a kid because the aftermath from chewing it was intolerable.  I knew instinctively that if I told my parents that I would have to have something awful done to me in order to fix it so I never told them (until I was in my late teens) and I never mentioned it to my dentist.

But my Dentist knew something was going on because I ground down and split nearly all my back molars (from the bruxism/grinding) and I had to have crowns on all my back teeth by the time I was 20.  At that time a spint was recommended and I tried to use it but ground though it in a matter of weeks.  They made another one (thicker) and it lasted longer (maybe six months) BUT my insurance company would NOT cover even a portion of the expense!  AND they called the splint "Cosmetic" and that's why it wasn't covered.   Unbelievable.

I've spent a lot of time researching and implementing how to relieve the spasms I get in my jaw muscles, raging headaches, earaches, even toothaches from the pressure of clenching.   I've incorporated bio-feedback, relaxation techniques and I use aspirin/tylonal when I absolutely have to but I try not to.

By the time I reached my mid-30's there was a lot of people getting TMJ surgeries. Suddenly it seemed to be in the news all the time and Dentists seemed to be much more aware of the problem.  So I went to my Doctor (Kaiser at the time) and had X-rays and an evaluation and they discovered that the structure of my jaw was now compromised and it was slipping around with virtually no joint to stop it.  They okay'd surgery to repair my worst side (left side), but I'd have to coordinate cosmetic surgery in order to align my jaw so I would not look deformed and I would also need extensive braces to put my teeth where they belonged.  

I asked if all this surgery and reworking of my face would stop the muscle spasms, headaches, etc. even eventually.... as my face got used to everything being in the "right" place??  They said they hoped so, but the muscle structure in our jaws is SO strong and the muscle memory so tenacious that they couldn't tell me if there would be an improvement in the pain....  This was around 1985.....

I DID NOT have any of the surgery.  And now I am very grateful because many of the surgeries from that time frame were unsuccesful, leaving patients unable to close their mouths, ending up having more long term pain ....  and other major problems.

I never did have any surgery.  I continue to live with it and deal with trying to relax. On many levels I've been successful in relaxing my jaw however my right side is now locking on occasion.... surgery may still be in my future but we'll see.....  

[Rileyx]

I had TMJ bad years ago. Teeth grinding, jaw pain, headaches, etc. I used muscle relaxers and a splint for years. I stopped using a splint when my insurance quit paying for it. It was expensive around $600 the last time I got one. I had to have a new one each time I had dental work done. I don't have much trouble now but I believe the splint really helped mine. 

[patbz]

My doctor manipulated my jaw and changed my bite; there was no surgery.  He used graphite paper (I think) to periodically check my bite during the procedure.  He was a very innovative dentist (I've never heard of anyone else that I know having this done but it worked!

[nagrom]

Yes,I had TMJ after suffering twelve years of not being able to open my mouth without pain.  This occurred after having my impacted wisdom teeth pulled. I feared going to the dentist and would not go until I had suffered lock jaw.  I opened my mouth to try to eat a hamburger resulting in my jaw frozen open.   It was very painful with eyes running, nose running and inability to speak.   And drooling so bad.   My dentists explained to my husband  over the phone how to massage and maneuver my jaw so that it would close.   That was back in 1980 just when TMJ was making news.   My case required surgery so suture the ligament and put the disk back in the joint preventing it from ever locking open again.   My insurer originally denied it as dental but then upon reviewing my medical records, it was determined to be medical and covered.   I am happy to say I haven't had any problems since.   Of course, I am not able to open very wide due to the suture but no more pain and can do two fingers wide.   I did not grind my teeth but TMJ diagnosis covers an umbrella of conditions.  Good luck.