topic Re: TMJ Yikes! in Wellness

TMJ Yikes!

conlt — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:01:33 GMT

I started suffering from ear fullness, headaches, and vertigo in July. I went to urgent care 3 times and was treated 3 times for an ear infection. I still had issues. I finally saw an ENT doctor who diagnosed me with TMJ and Vertigo. I went to physical therapy and they fixed my vertigo but I still have TMJ symptoms that come and go.

Ear fullness, itchiness, ear pain, headaches, jaw pain. I also saw my dentist. Both therapy and my dentist think it is the muscles in my face, neck and shoulders that are causing the problem.

I have been going to massage. I can't believe the problems that TMJ causes. Sometimes, I am just miserable. Anyone experience this?

Re: TMJ Yikes!

D Kay — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:16:12 GMT

I would go to an oral surgeon who treats TMJ problems. It may be related to the misalignment of your bite or clinching and grinding of your teeth at night. Or the joint can deteriorate over time and require surgery.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

On It — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:12:56 GMT

I was diagnosed with TMJ in 1993. I was fitted with a Tanner Splint by a dentist who specialized in treating TMJ. This was after he put crowns on 8 teeth to repair the damage I had done by bruxing.

I would see the physical therapist for an appointment. After leaving the therapist, I went to the dentist for an adjustment of the splint. It took months to get my body in alignment and have the splint adjusted for the last time. It is worth the effort. Symptoms disappear when the jaw is in the correct position.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

cheriere — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 17:06:22 GMT

@On It I completely understand & agree. I have ruined teeth due to tmj. I've ALWAYS been a terrible teeth grinder at night. Tried all the at home boil & wear devices to no avail. Even after having expensive crowns to fix many, the problem of tmj was never fully addressed so now I'm in the unfortunate position of have no to get some implants. Better believe when I leave the oral surgeon's office this time I will have the device to align my jaw correctly.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

msgb — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 17:12:30 GMT

I have had TMJ for over 30 years and I have spent money on the appliances for your mouth. I now wear one at night that is acrylic and while not pretty it does help to a degree.

I did the PT for TMJ but it did not work--at least for me.

I have fibromyalgia which many times is part and parcel with TMJ.

It has been a lot of trial and error with finding a dentist and oral surgeon that helps with this. I have also been denied insurance coverage for this as the insurance comes back and states that it is cosmetic. I have had doctors state that I get migraines and other issues due to TMJ and it is not cosmetic. But if I want to feel any better I do go see the dentist etc.

I do hope that you are able to find some relief.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

On It — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:18:10 GMT

Finding the right appliance is critical. My regular dentist made me two that were not a Tanner Splint. I threw the first one away. The second was slightly better, so I kept it as a backup. I finally found a doctor trained to fit Tanner Splints. His lab had to remake it after a botched first effort, but it is as close to my original as I am going to get here in West Texas.

Even with a splint you will probably brux at times. At least you are grinding plastic and not teeth. When I got my first splint, I wore it round the clock. It was only removed to eat or brush my teeth. That seemed critical to keeping the alignment from the PT and the splint in place. At some point, I was told I could begin only wearing it to sleep. I think it was months, but I cannot remember. My splint is on my bottom teeth and does not show. It affects my speech slightly.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

meem120 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:29:02 GMT

Get a mouthpiece. It worked for me and at times I couldnt even open my mouth it was so bad. My Dr said go to a sporting good store and get a mouthpiece for football that protects teeth. Its like a gel piece and you dip it in boiling water cool for a minute and make the mold fit your teeth. You can do it several times if you think the fit isnt right. It worked for me and saved hundreds of dollars. I would try that first before spening a bundle on something from the dentist. I only wore mine at night to sleep. I guess i was grinding my teeth at night and didnt even know it.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

conlt — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:45:06 GMT

Several years back, my dentist said to wear a mouth piece for grinding. I did for a while, then stopped. I have been wearing the mouth piece again and feel a little better. I was very annoyed yesterday with the headaches.

I had a lot to do and was very tired. I slept ok, Today, I feel tired again. I go for a sleep study on January 3, 2024. Maybe that will be telling. I stopped wearing my cpap as per MD instruction because I could not tolerate the pressure setting.

I have lost 88 pounds since my last sleep study. Not sure if I still have sleep apnea but recently found myself dreaming and biting down on the mouth piece.

I have tried to reduce my stress and hoping that helps too. At least the fullness in the ear comes and goes now. In July, my ear always felt full. I thought I was losing my hearing.

Weird symptoms with this.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

chrystaltree — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 21:14:15 GMT

Oral surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons are the ones who specialize in the great of tmj. That's who you should see.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

colliemom4 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 21:23:54 GMT

My friend got steriod injections for it. She also took muscle relaxers for a while. I hope you feel better soon.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

sugar plum — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 22:46:31 GMT

@conIt

I've had TMJ for 20 years now and see my chiropractor who realigns my jaw which helps tremendously.

Also, make sure you sleep on a good pillow which supports your neck properly. I use a Temperpedic cervical pillow.

Lastly, I use the mouth guard pictured below and have done so for many, many years. It's adjustable, comfortable and no boiling required. I just got one on sale last week for $29.00 on Amazon. I wouldn't be without it!

Good luck!

Re: TMJ Yikes!

Effie54 — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 22:53:27 GMT

Unfortunately yes, I have. Due to early braces, tooth misalignment and nightly bruxism I went to a few dentists and Oral surgeons. I wore a splint, a mouth guard, etc. prescribed by supposedly the best of the best. However, it just made the issue worse. Finally I found a very competent dentist who sent me to an orthodontist. I'm finishing up my braces and am truly thrilled. No more headaches, jaw popping, ear fullness, etc. It's a journey most won't take, but I'm glad I did. I now have straight teeth and proper tooth alignment.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

ellaphant — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 23:30:51 GMT

I had TMJ badly and could not fully open mouth. When that cleared up, I had recurring pain in the back of my head radiating from my jaw. Tried everything finally a chiropractor used cold laser therapy and it worked. Pain gone forever.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

cheriere — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 00:22:18 GMT

@On It Thanks for the recommendation & explaining how it works. I'm gonna mention this to the oral surgeon when I go back.

My left side has always been way more affected it seems. It got so bad, when I went to my neurologist they did some scans & said the trigeminal nerve could be what's causing the pain ( not the grinding) and they wanted to do some kind of procedure to kill the nerve.

I took a pass on that for the meantime, hoping that once the dentist realigned everything it would be better.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

Pink123 — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 13:20:26 GMT

OMG..... thank you all for these tips and creating this thread.

I have had TMJ, teeth grinding on and off for years. My dentist said I was going to grind away my teeth if it didn't stop.

Well it's been back for 3 months. My whole neck area hurts as if I pinched a nerve, I am very dizzy, have headaches, jaw is sore, everything you all describe. Earaches, itching too.

I'm going to my periodontisrt late morning for a cleaning and need to address it to them. I think I threw my bite off again too and she can check that. But I seem to click my teeth ok. Cjewing food not easy either.

If I go to a maxiofacial doctor will insurance cover it?

It is indeed miserable. I was bouncing off walls a few weeks ago the vertigo was so bad. I kept thinking it was a sinus infection with the headaches, etc. I think it was both when the vertigo got real bad.

I do have sinus problems and food allergies all my life.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

wagirl — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 15:37:16 GMT

@msgb --your story sounds like what my DD is going thru with her TMJ issues. She recently had a balloon type of a non-evasive type of surgery to fix a very deviated septum and now is having soreness with her jaw -- she is going to her dentist today to see about it. I suggested that maybe this sinus thing she just had done, could have irritated it, but kind of got shot down with that from her--she has fibro too and that beast can flair up any time. I will suggest that to her as well. She was told it would be a few thousand $$ to fix her jaw----that was years ago and not sure she checked that with her insurance at the time.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

Zaimee — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 17:26:16 GMT

@Pink123

I have had TMJ for 40 years. Popped the cartilage on right side. I have had many splints over the years and wear every night. Replace every few years as I wear them down.
Lately, I have been feeling pain and uncomfortable. Last month, I went to an oral surgeon and reconstructive facility. My medicare statement came and the X-rays and consultation was covered by Medicare!!!! ( also have supplement ).have a script for TMJ therapy, new bite plate and MRI. Will schedule that now.

I have dental insurance but don't think TMJ is covered and limited anyway.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

Pink123 — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 18:25:08 GMT

@Zaimee wrote:
@Pink123
I have had TMJ for 40 years. Popped the cartilage on right side. I have had many splints over the years and wear every night. Replace every few years as I wear them down.
Lately, I have been feeling pain and uncomfortable. Last month, I went to an oral surgeon and reconstructive facility. My medicare statement came and the X-rays and consultation was covered by Medicare!!!! ( also have supplement ).have a script for TMJ therapy, new bite plate and MRI. Will schedule that now.

I have dental insurance but don't think TMJ is covered and limited anyway.

Thanks for your reply @Zaimee

Is a splint the same thing one of those teeth covers one wears at night? the one I am about to order?

I'll have to look up popping cartilage and what that means.

I just got back from Miami to see my periodontist, which is far away now but worth the drive. My bite seems to be connecting but it feels different to me as I'm very selective with food.

I don't have medicaire advantage. I have supplemental plan "G" and they probably won't cover anything. That I don't understand if it is bone or jaw related.

I think my best is to call them directly and ask about it.

(ps. my bit is still a little off IMO, I did not make a big deal about it because the last time she adjusted she ripped through a beautiful white crown which left a brown spot on the bottom. No,

that ticked me off big time. lol.

I wonder if Fibromyalgia affects the neck and shoulders.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

Natureluvr — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 12:36:08 GMT

Following this thread, as I have had TMJ for years. I should have gotten braces when I was younger but family didn’t have the money for them. Teeth are not overly crooked but my bite is definitely off. I sometimes have trouble eating a hamburger because it can be difficult to open my mouth wide enough.
My current dentist also told me I should be wearing a mouthguard at night. I did get one of those do it yourself molds from the drugstore and wore it regularly for a while, and then stopped.
Dentist also made the remark that I am grinding my teeth away. Fortunately, I haven’t had headaches and neck pain some have experienced but maybe I’ve just been lucky so far. Not only do I grind my teeth at night, but I clench my teeth throughout the day and try to make a conscious effort when I notice it.

Re: TMJ Yikes!

Zaimee — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 15:54:41 GMT

@Pink123 I do not have an Advantage plan. Original Medicare and supplement Plan F. Yes a splint is a bite plate or mouth guard. It is casted to your bite. Clear and covers my top teeth. I did pay several hundred $ for it after dental insurance. Last month my dentist referred me to a oral and maxillofacial doctor (in Fort Lauderdale) . The consultation, exam, and panoramic x ray were paid for by Medicare. I have to go back to be fitted for a new mouth guard.

@Natureluvr My dentist made the mouth guard. You might want to find someone who specializes in TMJ. And, yes, the first dentist I went to I said my problem was I couldn't eat a BigMac!!!!