Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

[PlayaGroom]

Since having my wisdom teeth removed (~6 years ago) I've had many symptoms associated with my TMJ.

Recently, my dentist referred me to a a couple TMJ specialists. It's now my second referral (one from my previous dentist a couple years ago as well). Both have said that my case is quite severe, and their "off the record" opinions were both that they felt that surgery is quite likely required.

I've put off going in to see the specialists. Partly because I've just been living with it and can cope, and partly because I don't really want to hear what they want to say.

Has anyone had any experience with TMJ surgery or therapies? Please share

[MWC]

Is this related to teeth grinding at night? My cousin is a dentist, and before he sends anybody for expensive surgery, he recommends trying a "teeth guard" at night. (I don't know the exact name, but it looks a lot like one of those mouth protectors athletes wear)
You might have to order one from the States, and have it muled to you, but you might want to give that a shot before you go drastic.

[Mexivoof]

Originally Posted by MWC

Is this related to teeth grinding at night? My cousin is a dentist, and before he sends anybody for expensive surgery, he recommends trying a "teeth guard" at night. (I don't know the exact name, but it looks a lot like one of those mouth protectors athletes wear)
You might have to order one from the States, and have it muled to you, but you might want to give that a shot before you go drastic.

Last I heard, Minnesota was a state, unless they've seceeded because of their embarassment with the Vikings

[cmsitaly]

I am a massage therapist and have worked on several people with TMJ and it has helped. Just make sure they are qualified. I would try anything like this before surgery, but that is just me. Good luck

[PlayaGroom]

Originally Posted by MWC

Is this related to teeth grinding at night? My cousin is a dentist, and before he sends anybody for expensive surgery, he recommends trying a "teeth guard" at night. (I don't know the exact name, but it looks a lot like one of those mouth protectors athletes wear)
You might have to order one from the States, and have it muled to you, but you might want to give that a shot before you go drastic.

First of all, I live in Minnesota (which is in the States).

Second, I don't grind, but clench. I've had three different occlusion appliances from my orthodontist, all of which made symptoms worse, as I continued to clench, but with my jaw in different positions and thus flaring up the joint even more. They also make me drool at night like a 1 year old.

Like I said, it started with having my wisdom teeth removed. My jaw dislocated during the procedure. That same year, I had two collisions during hockey/lacrosse which both caused a lot of pain (one caused my jaw to lock up overnight for a few hours), and I'm sure more damage to the joints.

Thanks for the advice though (my dentist said the same thing early on...).

[Kricket]

My case is mild but realized that I was "clenching" my jaws unknowingly throughout the day. Being more aware of it, and relaxing your jaws, may help to alleviate some of the discomfort at times.

[PlayaGroom]

Originally Posted by Mexivoof

Last I heard, Minnesota was a state, unless they've seceeded because of their embarassment with the Vikings

Beat me to it

And yes, the Vikes are a quite embarrassing, but no bandwagon fan here. Still love 'em (just not the coaching staff...)

[MWC]

I'm sorry, I only saw "playa" in the start of the thread and got it in my head that it was playadelsoul (aka PDS, aka Mark) ... who lives in playa.

[Rissask]

I don't really have much help for you, but here is a bump up for your thread....and also, you are certain it is TMJ?
My boss's wife had what they thought was TMJ but it turned out to be a quite rare condition called 'trigeminal neuralgia'. Something goes screwy with a nerve in your jaw and the result is terrible pain that comes and goes. She has had it for ten years and had several surgeries (it keeps recurring).
I just thought it was worth mentioning. It took them 5 years to figure out what she had.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

[Seakony]

TMJ....a tough call.....Have you tried a new pillow like a contour pillow? Maybe a new head position will help. I would definetely get a second opinion. Try looking up info on the net about it.. I am sure you are not alone and bet there is a discussion group about tmj.

[PlayaGroom]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I don't really have much help for you, but here is a bump up for your thread....and also, you are certain it is TMJ?
My boss's wife had what they thought was TMJ but it turned out to be a quite rare condition called 'trigeminal neuralgia'. Something goes screwy with a nerve in your jaw and the result is terrible pain that comes and goes. She has had it for ten years and had several surgeries (it keeps recurring).
I just thought it was worth mentioning. It took them 5 years to figure out what she had.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Eehhh...I hope it's not that...sounds horrible. I don't really have those listed symptoms though. My pain is more of a muscle/joint soreness and really only occurs after using my jaw a lot (like sore knees after running). TN sounds like it's more of a shooting pain that is triggered through more of a neurological stimulus/reaction.

My dentists and orthodontist were quite sure about the diagnosis, but, of course, they won't give the 100% as they aren't specialists. And from what I've read, it's a pretty textbook case, but I ain't no doc.

[Rissask]

Good...I didn't think it likely was, it's just that you said it was 'severe' and she had been diagnosed with that before, so I thought I would mention it.

Good luck....and don't put off going to the specialist. That might not be the best thing to do.