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Post by laureljean on May 7, 2017 1:51:33 GMT
I am at my wit's end. I have tried bite guards from the dentist, but still have problems (migraines, jaw locking pain with chewing food).
Have missed work due to severe headaches and neck and ear pain. This last bout (which is still ongoing) is due to a routine dental cleaning.
Should I call the dentist or my physician (who is an osteopath)? I just want to solve this issue and get on with things.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,643 
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on May 7, 2017 1:52:58 GMT
Yes. I had to start with my dentist to get a referral to an oral surgeon.
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Post by laureljean on May 7, 2017 1:54:37 GMT
Thanks, Anita. Did you end up having surgery?
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Post by littlemama on May 7, 2017 3:06:36 GMT
I mentioned my constant jaw pain to the chiropractor and he did some stuff that seems to have fixed it. My dentist has commented on the clicking in my jaw for years, but never asked any questions about it. I am not one of those people who thinks that a chiropractor can perform miracles and cure everything, but I can tell you that my jaw and neck pain are mostly gone.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on May 7, 2017 6:03:27 GMT
I went to PT and they gave me exercises. They did help. The best thing I did was switch to the NTI night guard. I've used it for at least ten years and most of my TMJ symptoms are gone. I also take an NSAID and that probably helps.
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Post by Merge on May 7, 2017 12:04:41 GMT
I've not yet gotten to the point where I need PT or surgery, but I do experience head/neck/shoulder pain from my TMJ. I have a prescription for a higher dose of NSAIDS, but honestly, there are two things that help the most. One is to be aware of when I first start to feel any tightness and to take a moment to stop, consciously relax and massage the area all around my ears. This has to be done early, before you are actually in pain, where there is first tightness developing. I can actually feel my jaw loosening as I massage right under and behind my ear. The second is honestly a gentle yoga stretching routine. Staying relaxed so that I'm not clenching seems to prevent the pain in the first place. This works best if I do it daily.
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Post by Delta Dawn on May 7, 2017 12:10:41 GMT
Methocarbamol solved my problems as no appliance no exercises were working. It's not too bad right now as I am not in constant pain.
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Post by baslp on May 7, 2017 12:18:32 GMT
I go to PT that uses her finger inside my check to release the tight muscle. It hurts but is necessary for relief. She also works on my neck muscles. My oral medicine doc has told me that surgery should be a last resort. The results are not that great.
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Post by lisae on May 7, 2017 12:36:45 GMT
I'm very sympathetic. I've been dealing with this for over 20 years. Unfortunately TMJ can not be solved but it can be managed. Do you know the source of your pain? Do you clench or grind your teeth at night? Grinding - bruxism - will show up as extra wear on the tooth surface. Is your bite not right? I have both issues though I started with only the bruxism. My bad bite developed from wearing the wrong guard for couple of years. My dentist made an NTI for me which fits only over the front teeth. Works great at controlling the pain but you can end up with an open bite.
Look for a dentist that specializes in this treatment. Get references; there are a lot of quacks out there in this field. There are many well meaning professionals like my dentist who just don't have the expertise. Even if they seem like they have good credentials, research the treatments they prescribe if they seem 'out there.' I once spent $2600 on another type of bite guard that was a complete waste of money and I spent several painful months trying to get it to work for me. This guy who was a practicing orthodontist, I was even referred to him by another dentist, and seemed very accredited. Yet I realized later that if his revolutionary method he said he had been using for 20 years was so effective, I would have found it somewhere in my research. It failed miserably and I went back to my regular guard.
What has worked for me is a traditional hard bite guard made by an orthodontist over 15 years ago. My orthodontist recently retired and I was referred to a group in a larger city and have met with the dentist there. When I need to replace this guard, he will make me a new one. I wanted to be on their patient roles because if something happens to my guard I would need a new one right away. I can't even sleep for a short nap without grinding my teeth. Last time I did, I broke a tooth. This practice did offer PT and other treatments but my symptoms are under control for now. It comes and goes. Stress makes it worse. I have used acupuncture and that has helped me.
Surgery is now considered a last resort. When I last researched this, there were several message boards online where you can talk with more people who have similar issues. It's been a few years since I did this so I don't have references for you.
I hope you find a treatment that works for you. You have my sympathy, it is an awful problem to have. When you are in pain, you are very vulnerable so just be careful. Yet there are solutions. So far I've never had a spell of this that didn't subside.
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mlana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,523
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Post by mlana on May 8, 2017 4:57:19 GMT
I'm very sympathetic. I've been dealing with this for over 20 years. Unfortunately TMJ can not be solved but it can be managed. Do you know the source of your pain? Do you clench or grind your teeth at night? Grinding - bruxism - will show up as extra wear on the tooth surface. Is your bite not right? I have both issues though I started with only the bruxism. My bad bite developed from wearing the wrong guard for couple of years. My dentist made an NTI for me which fits only over the front teeth. Works great at controlling the pain but you can end up with an open bite. Look for a dentist that specializes in this treatment. Get references; there are a lot of quacks out there in this field. There are many well meaning professionals like my dentist who just don't have the expertise. Even if they seem like they have good credentials, research the treatments they prescribe if they seem 'out there.' I once spent $2600 on another type of bite guard that was a complete waste of money and I spent several painful months trying to get it to work for me. This guy who was a practicing orthodontist, I was even referred to him by another dentist, and seemed very accredited. Yet I realized later that if his revolutionary method he said he had been using for 20 years was so effective, I would have found it somewhere in my research. It failed miserably and I went back to my regular guard. What has worked for me is a traditional hard bite guard made by an orthodontist over 15 years ago. My orthodontist recently retired and I was referred to a group in a larger city and have met with the dentist there. When I need to replace this guard, he will make me a new one. I wanted to be on their patient roles because if something happens to my guard I would need a new one right away. I can't even sleep for a short nap without grinding my teeth. Last time I did, I broke a tooth. This practice did offer PT and other treatments but my symptoms are under control for now. It comes and goes. Stress makes it worse. I have used acupuncture and that has helped me. Surgery is now considered a last resort. When I last researched this, there were several message boards online where you can talk with more people who have similar issues. It's been a few years since I did this so I don't have references for you. I hope you find a treatment that works for you. You have my sympathy, it is an awful problem to have. When you are in pain, you are very vulnerable so just be careful. Yet there are solutions. So far I've never had a spell of this that didn't subside. Thank you for sharing this. DD and I have both been told we have TMJ, but we have no clue where to turn for treatment. This information helps a lot. |
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Post by malibou on May 8, 2017 12:26:33 GMT
I see a chiropractor that stretches my jaw muscles inside my mouth and outside behind my ears. I won't lie, it hurts, but it does relax them.
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Post by gotranch on May 8, 2017 14:28:10 GMT
You need to find an orthodontist who specializes in TMJ to get to the root of the problem. PT and massage are good for immediate pain relief and inflamation. I have been dealing with this for over 25 years. I did have arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue from my left joint about 20 years ago when bite splints and other treatment were not working. We believe the scar tissue was caused by a terrible fall as a young child. It helped immensely for 10 years or so, but eventually needed to have braces to get everything aligned correctly. I've always had straight teeth so never expected to need braces at 50. My ortho has had TMJ issues himself, so understands what TMJ is all about. Good luck in finding relief.
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Post by shevy on May 8, 2017 17:49:20 GMT
Me! I've had TMJ for 35 some years now. I've had 6 surgeries so far and I'm scheduled for my 7th in July.
I've had rounds of physical therapy over the years.
Start with a dentist who specializes in TMJ/TMD issues. They can assess you and then refer you to where you need to go. At the same time you can check into pain clinics to help you deal with the pain you're having. Try things like PT, acupuncture, acupressure, massage, myofacialmassage, mindeful breathing/meditation, pain meds, TENS machine. Non surgical things. You keep a log of when you tried what and the outcome or what worked/didn't/t work.
If you're going to do anything surgical, get two opinions. I was in the height of the surgery happy doctors in the 80s and that's part of my issue.
Where do you live? I have some facebook groups for you...
Edited to say: this is one of those diagnoses that every doctor treats differently. That's why I say that you start a binder and keep copies of everything that you do and notes of what worked and what didn't and why. Each time you see someone new, bring it with, but never give it up. Copies of scans & reports, office visits, PT reports....if this is an ongoing thing, it will help you in the long run. |
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Post by padresfan619 on May 8, 2017 18:27:18 GMT
I had an appliance that forced my jaw forward while I had braces. It was a long two years and I still struggle when I try to eat thick sandwiches or burgers, but I no longer have daily pain.
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