Is there anything other than using a mouthpiece splint and heating pads. Ive had it for about 25 years now and my jaw pops bad every time i open my mouth and it feels weak. I told my dentist about it but he just said we might could make a splint. I just dont think that it will fix the problem. I was wondering if I may have to have surgery on it to fix it. I heard of chropracters helping it puting it into place but it seems like it would be to loose to do that now after so long.
2006-09-21 07:25:36 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
If you have had a problem for 25 years and it is getting worse, I'd agree that it is time for a surgical evaluation. Seek out a TMJ specialist in a major teaching hospital, who would have the most experience. For example, Peter Quinn at the Univeristy of Pennsylvania does nothing but TMJ surgeries. Parker Mahan and his group at the University of Florida is another possibility. Check the hospital listings in your area for TMJ surgeons.
2006-09-21 13:43:32 · answer #1 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have tmj also.. there are 3 different ways to have tmj (as I'm sure you know) and doctors give you different treatment depending on which type they THINK you have. for me they tried muscle relaxers and sleeping on my back and all that crap.. well it didn't work.. after 6 months of treatment my jaw was still so locked up i couldn't eat off of a spoon.. what did work for me? for 1 year i didn't do anything to piss my jaw off (no hard candy/gum, no really chewy foods) and i stopped drinking soda (caffeine makes you grit your teeth at night, which aggravates tmj. i also started taking vitamins daily. within 2 months i had near full range of motion back (i had quit the muscle relaxers so i know it wasn't them) and was feeling great. another thing.. (this one came from my specialist, and is the greatest little trick I've even known) if you are having trouble with your ears ringing or pain in your jaw (i still get this if i have too many sodas) there is a little thing you can do to reset your jaw and make it feel better nearly instantly.. take a pen, put it between your front teeth, pull your bottom jaw in as far as you can and bite down on the pen.. it helps reset the jaw and helps a ton... hope this all works for you and good luck!
2006-09-21 07:36:01 · answer #2 · answered by pip 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have TMJ also and have been advised against surgery as you dont know what the outcome may be. There is a posibility of scar tissue and not healing properly. I have had it for about 10yrs....jaw excercise helps and facial massages.
2006-09-21 08:38:09 · answer #3 · answered by islanddragon30 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't want to follow your dentist's advice. But you'll ask strangers on the internet? Try the mouthpiece. What do you have to lose?
2006-09-21 07:33:23 · answer #4 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the splints work. and it's TMD not TMJ. every person on earth has the J (joint). you have the D (disorder).
2006-09-21 08:02:42 · answer #5 · answered by tomh311 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋