I has had problems with my jaw since I was a child but it has become much more severe lately. I got a cavity drilled last year during which my dentist cracked my left molar. Ever since then, I have been compensating by chewing everything on the right side of my mouth. I was waking up every morning with my jaw locked for a couple of hours and eventually it would go back to normal.
I finally went back to him and begged him to do something has it was starting to hurt really bad. He ground my tooth to the gums and filled it...it still hurts though two weeks later and I have to take 3 Ibuprofen every 6 hours and 2 Tylenol PM to get to sleep. The final straw is this weekend... my jaw has been locked since I woke up on Friday morning and it has not come unlocked once! I can open my mouth just enough to fit a piece of bread.
I have been wearing a mouthgaurd and doing some exercises my dentist told me to do but they just seem to be making it worse! I heard they can do surgery or even braces?
2007-10-15 02:58:55 · 6 answers · asked by patti_jim_reynolds 3 in Health ➔ Dental
THAT SUX!
I am sorry to hear that. I hope you get it taken care of.
2007-10-15 03:02:46 · answer #1 · answered by USMCstingray 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would call around and find someone in your area that specializes in TMJ/TMD not just any dentist or ortho.
I would also consider a soft mouth guard (not the old hard ones) take advil not Tylenol and use hot moist if you can pads no ice on your jaw, ear and neck area, and don't stop this you will need to do this most of the day and you can buy those moist electric heating pads for at night. sometimes sitting up is better if you can find a back pillow or sleep in a soft recliner.
if you haven't already, stop eating anything that is crunchy, or chewy, and stay away from any caffeine (meds or drinks)
get one of those soft neck pillows and only use it at night and it will help you stay on your back, sometimes if you put a bigger pillow on either side of you, you wont turn on your side. but it's hard to train yourself.
I just read your part where you said he ground your teeth down, for sure don't go back to him, that's not necessary and causes other problems, it's not your teeth it's your jaw joints, don't let anyone else do anything to your teeth.
what start are you in? i can send you some referrals.
I can't believe he filed down your teeth I did not think they id that anymore (so sorry) please keep in touch and you can email me direct if I can help any more.
2007-10-15 11:06:13 · answer #2 · answered by jeanniep 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1 cut caffeine
#2 be careful about being around a lot of noise
#3 don't do any surgery without several opinions
#4 don't do surgery unless you absolutely cannot take it anymore.
#5 braces could make the problem better , but it could get worse too - get several opinions - but it's likely that it will get better because most likely you have a functional problem. If your teeth dont fit right - it makes things worse.
#6 exercise - it will help.
#7 get sleep.
#8 massage therapy can often help
#9 physical therapy can often help
#10 surgery is a last resort.
#11 research things - there's a number of groups that may help you. like www.tmj.org etc.
#12 don't just let them tell you it's just stress, even though stress makes it worse - there's a functional problem or you wouldn't be having trouble.
2007-10-16 20:00:15 · answer #3 · answered by art_flood 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At my office we have had some great success with adult orthodontics. The goal is to reposition your teeth in such a way that the jaw is in a relaxed normal postition and then retain your teeth in the position that is comfortable for your jaw which may include anything from retainers, a bionator or new crowns in the back. This could change your life!
2007-10-15 03:52:37 · answer #4 · answered by absent farmer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would find a dentist that knows something about TMJ if that is what you have, and a dentist that knows how to do their job. I have had severe TMJ for about 10 years- I tried wearing a mouth guard and it made it worse. You could go see your doctor and go to physical therapy...sometimes surgery is the worst thing you can do and it makes it worse.
2007-10-15 03:09:20 · answer #5 · answered by like the ocean needs the waves 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all I would change dentists. He should have put a crown on your tooth not ground it down. I would definitey go see a reputable dentist - you don't want to mess around with your teeth - no matter what the cost.
Good luck
2007-10-15 03:03:06 · answer #6 · answered by totalstressor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋