I've talked to several doctors about it. My doctor says to talk to my orthodontist because I had rubber bands on my braces, but my ortho just said "that has nothing to do with me." (And I'm sure that my braces/bands were where I got it)
My dentist passed it off like it was nothing and just told me to take Ibuprofen (this is not a solution!). My roommate had the surgery, but my physical therapist (for my knees. I'm a walking disaster at the age of 20!) says he has never heard of a surgery for TMJ problems.
My jaw is always "locked" (it won't open past a certain point). I haven't been able to chew straight or open my mouth straight in years, I have just learned to chew crooked like a cow chewing its cud. I have just learned to deal and push it out when it locks up. Sometimes it becomes very painful and sore. The only thing that has helped so far is the fact that I quit chewing gum.
What do I do now?
2007-05-15 08:06:57 · 10 answers · asked by Kat 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Causes of TMJ pain and dysfunction are numerous. The most common causes are poor postural, muscle imbalances, abnormal joint mobility, problems with the cartilage in the joint and abnormal bite and tooth alignment. Treatment for TMJ problems needs to be multi-disciplinary involving a dentist, physical therapist and possibly a medical doctor. If your bite is off or you have poor alignment with your teeth this is where your dentist can help. A night splint can sometimes be helpful. Posture is huge and muscle imbalances make a huge contribution to TMJ dysfunction - this is where the physical therapist (PT) comes in. The PT can also correct any joint dysfunction and perform soft tissue techniques to help relieve tension from the joint and surrounding muscles. Your doctor may prescribe medications or perform cortisone injections in the joint to help reduce inflammation that could be contributing to your symptoms. Either your dentist or doctor could order imaging tests such as an x-ray or MRI to assess for any possible damage to the joint or surrounding structures. The PT can also give you exercises to not only help with your posture but also help relax the muscles around the jaw to avoid increased compression through the joint which can aggravate your symptoms. The PT would also educate you on exercises and activities to perform at home as well as certain foods and activities to avoid. For example, you would want to avoid foods where you have to open your mouth very wide and that may involve a lot of chewing such as a bagel, sub, caramel candies, etc. I hope this helps - please feel free to ask any other questions.
2007-05-15 11:12:03 · answer #1 · answered by Dan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I am stressed I grind my teeth until I can't open my mouth in the morning. My doctor suggested going to a chiropractor. The headaches were so painful I was willing to try anything. I had a series of x-rays to make certain everything was as it should be in my back and legs. He then put me on the water table to relax me before he "popped" my back. He has an instrument that "pops" my jaw back into place. Due to the constant grinding, my jaw was off-track. He also provided a mouth guard for me to wear. Since I was a guinea pig for this new company, the company allowed me to purchase them for around $30. Now they are $60. I went through about 8 per month but the density of the guard has improved and I don't rip them apart like I used to do. It was not an over night fix, it has taken some time. I can't chew gum or eat hard foods. But if I can sleep through the night and not wake up with a sick headache, it is worth it. My chiropractor is my new best friend!
2007-05-15 08:22:47 · answer #2 · answered by scubadiverMS 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
TMJ is difficult and not all methods work for all people. First you can pick up a book titled "Taking Control of TMJ". Second you can call chiropractors and ask if they have had experience aligning the jaw (not all of them have experience doing that). You can find one through the American Chiropractors Association. You can also find a head/neck pain specialist through the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. Many of them are both doctors and dentists so can treat the head/neck as a whole with a better understanding. Unfortnately I leaned the hard way that most doctors and most dentists are ill equipped to deal with the disorder and a specialist will be better for you. You can find a local specialist at the link I enclosed.
2007-05-15 09:46:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Uugh, your problem is worse than mine. I have mild TMJ. I think it was caused by my braces and headgear. I only close my teeth completely together when I am chewing.
I know why your orthodontist wants to ignore it. He doesn't want to be sued. If you could prove he caused it, you could sue him. You need to find another doctor. Most insurance companies do not want to cover TMJ. That is why I have not gotten treatment. If you think your orthodontist was negligent, you need to see about getting proof that he caused your problem and making him pay for fixing it. That would probably mean going to court.
When I had my braces, TMJ was unknown, so I don't think my orthodontist did anything wrong; although I do think he caused it. He did the best he could with the knowledge he had.
2007-05-15 08:17:54 · answer #4 · answered by pennypincher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
7 years ago I've been involved in a car wreck and even since suffered with severe on and off facial and jaw pain. I've tried almost everything western medicine had to offer and had visited countless of specialist, had done ct scans, and therapies but to no avail. The doctors I have been to had persisted that there wasn't anything wrong with me and that almost drove me crazy as I was going through hell from this condition. According to all my symptoms I was diagnosed by a holistic doctor as having TMJ and he had recommended this book to me. After following the recommendation in the book for several weeks, it had changed my life. I got immediate relief after following the unique set of exercises in the book and after 2 weeks the jaw and face pain had completely gone. I only wish I would have ordered this program years ago. It would have saved me a lot of pain and anguish.
2016-05-20 07:01:53 · answer #5 · answered by Christine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people can help alleviate their TMJ type symptoms by wearing a mouthpiece to bed at night. Oftentimes, the symptoms develop from grinding your teeth or clenching at night. The mouthpiece can be uncomfortable at first, but it can help you to reduce the symptoms and possibly even eliminate the need for further treatment.
If you do have surgery, it is very painful, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. That's not even mentioning that it's expensive. Surgery should be a last resort, but if it continues to bother you, it might be only relief that you can get. Good luck.
2007-05-15 08:19:20 · answer #6 · answered by Tunsa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One option, believe it or not, is physical therapy, but you need to find a physical therapist that specializes in treating TMJ. Its hard to find a therapist who does routinely treat TMJ but maybe your current PT can help you find one. Many times the problems arise from tight muscles in the neck and doing some stretching of your neck muscles can help.
2007-05-15 08:30:22 · answer #7 · answered by Dennis R 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bowen therapy and Accupuncture are both great ways to relieve TMJ. I have had alot of success treating it with Bowenwork. It can also help your knees faster that traditional PT.
2007-05-15 08:34:08 · answer #8 · answered by scw4c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
see a chiropractor. They can help any two joints re-align. Check out the doctor first and word of mouth is better then not. Gonstead method is probably the best. Call your local chiro's and ask specifically if they do gonstead. Its that simple.
Best of luck
2007-05-15 08:52:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Treatment is such a broad word and I would not worry too much about it unless the doctor goes into detail of any lengthy treatment
2016-03-19 05:35:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋