I have had tmj for 10 plus years now and I always have pain associated with this but occasionally the pain becomes so intense that it affects my job, my social life and pretty much everything I do. You would think that having this so long that I would know how to handle the pain but things that used to help don't help anymore. I have tried just about every pain killer out there besides morphine. Splints don't help, the only time I don't have pain is while I'm sleeping but as soon as I wake up it starts all over again. I really just need a temporary pain relief as I have just been accepted to a TMJ research study with the College of Oriental Medicine, but I'm in excrusiating pain, does anyone have any suggestions that may relieve some of this pain?
2006-10-23 08:49:59 · 5 answers · asked by Mistie Rose 1 in Health ➔ Dental
I have tried mouthgard/splints given to me by the orthodontist, they don't work, I don't grind my teeth I do however clinch my jaw and the splints just make me do it harder. The pain is very intense on both sides, it pretty much consumes my whole face. Again I have had this for 10 plus years, pretty much since I got my braces off when I was 14 years old...I'm now 25. I just need something temporary to help re leave the pain, something that doesn't cost very much if that even exists.
2006-10-23 12:06:38 · update #1
It concerns me that you say, "I have had this for 10 plus years, pretty much since I got my braces off..." Before you go off on some study, please consult with a dentist who is an expert on occlusion. I don't know where you are or I'd try to help you locate someone.
Anything that alters the position of the teeth and the way that the teeth come together, including both Invisalign and conventional braces, can affect your TMJ. If treatment is done without regard to proper occlusion (which sounds moronic, but it happens when esthetics is the major concern), it can lead to TMJ problems. If you have a bite problem that is causing TMJ problems and the dentist takes this into consideration, you may be able to get some improvement of the situation. In my experience, virtually ALL patients need some amount of "bite adjustment" by the dentist (me) to be sure that their final result does not cause TMJ problems. Orthodontia generally is concerned with relatively gross degrees of movement and there is little control over the amazingly infinitesimal changes in cusp angulation that can lead to TMJ problems. "Care, skill and judgement" are required to really fine tune the final result.
2006-10-23 15:15:35 · answer #1 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the pain is mainly one one side, the TMJ could be dislocated. This is called TMJ Syndrome. If so, ask your dentist to do an x-ray to diagnose TMJ Syndrome.
2006-10-23 11:19:49 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my tmj resolved when I went to the dentist and got a bite guard, most folks wake up with pain because without knowing it, they grind their teeth at night.
2006-10-23 08:52:37 · answer #3 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chiorpractor helped me. I had it for years and when I messed up my back in a car wreck he adjusted my jaw and I dont have any problems with it anymore. Ir is worth a try! Hope you feel better.
2006-10-23 08:55:42 · answer #4 · answered by angie a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try sleeping with a mouthguard in...I did that and eventually it trained my teeth not to clench and relieved all pain almost immediately....I hope this helps!!
2006-10-23 09:32:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋