i think i may have it my jaw locks in place and then to get it to unlock it has to crack making A LOT OF SEVERE PAIN !!..& this is very often.i heard there is a surgery for it but that it makes a huge scar across your entire jawline..do you know anything about it please help thanks
2006-09-04 16:22:35 · 22 answers · asked by Shelly 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Luckily, I never had it as severely as you seem to. I used to have pain especially in the morning. My jaw would lock if I tried to eat breakfast. I also discovered that I was grinding my teeth at night. I got a mouth guard at my dentist and it helped me immensely. Be careful about the mouth guards though because there are all kinds. For me, the best kind is the kind that is small and fits over my upper teeth. I can talk with it in my mouth and it is barely noticable as I'm sleeping.
2006-09-04 16:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds more like lockjaw than TMJ. Have you been to a doctor or dentist? Don't listen to the doomsayers who talk about scarring. I believe the surgery is performed inside the mouth, leaving no scars.
TMJ is a painful disorder of the tempero-mandibular joint, but it doesn't necessarily lock up. Do check with your doc or dentist. Don't suffer in silence any longer. There is help available, but you have to look for it.
I am constantly amazed at the people who ask medical questions on here, when the majority of well-meaning answerers are not qualified to give medical advice or diagnoses. I give my two cents worth (or two points worth) but always end up by telling the sufferers to see their doctors.
2006-09-04 16:36:26 · answer #2 · answered by gldjns 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Temporo-Mandibular Joint or tmj is a very common more than 40 million Americans suffer , often causes head aches, ringing ears and more. You can have a surgery where a prosthesis is put in but it would leave a scar and if your like my wife who hates the sight of needles, surgery might not be the best bet. See a orthodontist.
2006-09-04 16:32:41 · answer #3 · answered by johnny chaos 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your jaw is sometimes out of alignment or arthritis is in the joint. i had it long ago but after taking meds for inflammation it went away.however it can come back again. avoid hard candy an chew gum that includes bubble gum as well.dont chew anything hard like ice which will make the pain worsen.there is a surgical technique to avoid a huge scar. go to the best orthopedic surgeon you can find and there is a cream to use to reduce any scarring.
2006-09-04 16:28:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you may need surgery but whoever told you the scar was that big was just trying to scare you. See your doctor or dentist and get the real story. You may not even need surgery. In the mean time don't open your mouth real wide, stop chewing gum and don't chew your ice or other hard things.
2006-09-04 16:26:29 · answer #5 · answered by Diane D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your first step is to find a dentist that can diagnose the cause of the locking, noise and pain. The stomatognathic system is extremely complex and those symptoms can come from several different problems that range from mild to severe.
The key is finding a dentist that will DIAGNOSE you prior to treating you. Many clinicians simply throw treatments at patients instead of finding the cause first. Two organizations that can help you find a clinicina are listed below.
2006-09-05 07:19:00 · answer #6 · answered by Club U 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TMJ may be caused by tooth grinding in your sleep or tension when you are awake. See a dentist. They don't necessarily have to do surgery. In fact, I have never heard of surgery to correct the problem. I HAVE heard of a mouth guard that is crafted from an impression taken of your teeth and worn at night. See? It is not as bad as you think!
2006-09-04 16:26:16 · answer #7 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a person who is certified in craniosacral therapy (CST). This is a great alternative to surgery. CST is very successful in treating TMJ. The website is www.upledger.com. Click on "find a practitioner." Hope you feel better soon. :)
2006-09-04 16:25:55 · answer #8 · answered by jzz224 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey calm yourself. I had this very same problem. it was so bad that I could barely eat. after about 3 weeks, it went away. I hope it never comes back. Anyway, see it through. I am sure it will go away in a couple of weeks. If not see a doctor.
2006-09-04 16:26:28 · answer #9 · answered by Bistro 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.austindental.com/surgery/tmjsurg.shtml
See the above site. It depends on which type of surgery you have. My mother had it done several years ago - she was so miserable before. She only had the arthroscopic surgery and only incisions were near her ear & you don't see them at all. Good Luck
2006-09-04 16:30:24 · answer #10 · answered by HolidayGurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋