sarah1234
09-18-2003, 02:39 PM
Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me advice about my situation.
I have a few problems with my jaw, and i think that the problems started when i dislocated my jaw a few years ago, although over the past year or so they seem to have gotten worse.
The main problem with my jaw is that very often my jaw seems uncomfortable and kinda out of place, then i move my jaw and it clicks quite loudly and violently and my jaw will then be fine, but in the next 15 minutes it will feel the same way again, and i have make it click back again.
Also, when my jaw is at rest, it seems a little bit out of place, i mean that when i close my top and bottom teeth together, they dont fit together properly since my top jaw seems to be stuck to the left a bit.
When I dislocated my jaw at first, i managed to click it back into place properly, but looking back on it, i should have maybe got help about it because now it is quite a problem.
I went to the doctor about this problem a few months ago, and he said that it didnt seem to be much of a problem, but he said i could go to see the dentist for further help if i wanted.
I would really appreciate any advice, thanks
I have a few problems with my jaw, and i think that the problems started when i dislocated my jaw a few years ago, although over the past year or so they seem to have gotten worse.
The main problem with my jaw is that very often my jaw seems uncomfortable and kinda out of place, then i move my jaw and it clicks quite loudly and violently and my jaw will then be fine, but in the next 15 minutes it will feel the same way again, and i have make it click back again.
Also, when my jaw is at rest, it seems a little bit out of place, i mean that when i close my top and bottom teeth together, they dont fit together properly since my top jaw seems to be stuck to the left a bit.
When I dislocated my jaw at first, i managed to click it back into place properly, but looking back on it, i should have maybe got help about it because now it is quite a problem.
I went to the doctor about this problem a few months ago, and he said that it didnt seem to be much of a problem, but he said i could go to see the dentist for further help if i wanted.
I would really appreciate any advice, thanks
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PINKYPRISCILLA
09-18-2003, 04:37 PM
I would get an evaluation from a dentist who specializes
in tmj diagnosis and treatment. Good Luck
in tmj diagnosis and treatment. Good Luck
sarah1234
09-18-2003, 05:16 PM
thanks for your reply, i'll make an appointment with a dentist tomorrow
RobynRose
09-18-2003, 06:45 PM
Hi Sarah...
I know what you are describing (too well I'm afraid).
This is exactly what happens to me... though it's not always very easy to get the jaw back where it belongs.
For me, I believe the ligaments are lax, and the joint has now become unstable...or "hypermobile". I have similar issues with other joings (my spine - my shoulder, neck etc.). Some of us are predisposed to hypermobility through our genes. You can do some research on "hypermobility syndrome" - which is a rheumatologic/genetic condition that often results in chronic pain. It seems the tmjs are frequently one of the joints impacted - perhaps because it so frequently used - and is quite complex in its function.
Currently I'm working with a nm dentist trying to calm down some of the muscle spasm that has occurred -due to the loose joint. This is likely why you seem to be able to adjust the jaw...get relief...and then in 15 minutes it all starts again. The muscles go into spasm in effort to gaurd the unstable joint...and try to stabilize it.
I wish I knew the answer for us both.....
Best of Luck... and keep in touch.
RR
I know what you are describing (too well I'm afraid).
This is exactly what happens to me... though it's not always very easy to get the jaw back where it belongs.
For me, I believe the ligaments are lax, and the joint has now become unstable...or "hypermobile". I have similar issues with other joings (my spine - my shoulder, neck etc.). Some of us are predisposed to hypermobility through our genes. You can do some research on "hypermobility syndrome" - which is a rheumatologic/genetic condition that often results in chronic pain. It seems the tmjs are frequently one of the joints impacted - perhaps because it so frequently used - and is quite complex in its function.
Currently I'm working with a nm dentist trying to calm down some of the muscle spasm that has occurred -due to the loose joint. This is likely why you seem to be able to adjust the jaw...get relief...and then in 15 minutes it all starts again. The muscles go into spasm in effort to gaurd the unstable joint...and try to stabilize it.
I wish I knew the answer for us both.....
Best of Luck... and keep in touch.
RR
sarah1234
09-19-2003, 05:19 PM
Thanks for your reply Robyn. Your explanation seemed to describe very well what is happening to my jaw.
I am going to see the dentist about it, and i was wondering what the dentist can do about my problem? When I went to the doctor about my jaw(although i now know that i should have seen the dentist instead), i was basically told that i just happened to have a clicking jaw, and that it's nothing to worry about.
But my jaw is uncomfortable, and it's constantly bothering me, and most of the time it feels quite sore and tense, especially if i'm under stress.
I am going to see the dentist about it, and i was wondering what the dentist can do about my problem? When I went to the doctor about my jaw(although i now know that i should have seen the dentist instead), i was basically told that i just happened to have a clicking jaw, and that it's nothing to worry about.
But my jaw is uncomfortable, and it's constantly bothering me, and most of the time it feels quite sore and tense, especially if i'm under stress.
carebear73
09-19-2003, 06:13 PM
I would imagine they would refer you to a cosmetic and dental surgeon.
Hope247
09-19-2003, 10:14 PM
hi sarah1234,
My oral surgeon said that when the jaw clicks, the jaw is actually jumping off of the tmj disc and then jumping back onto place. If that makes any sense. Sometimes that click can be very loud, I know. I had surgery 1wk and 1day ago on my tmj. I am still learning and educating myself. In my opinion, you sould seen someone other than your dentist. A specialist that specializes in jaw disorders like an oral surgeon. Good luck
Hope 247
My oral surgeon said that when the jaw clicks, the jaw is actually jumping off of the tmj disc and then jumping back onto place. If that makes any sense. Sometimes that click can be very loud, I know. I had surgery 1wk and 1day ago on my tmj. I am still learning and educating myself. In my opinion, you sould seen someone other than your dentist. A specialist that specializes in jaw disorders like an oral surgeon. Good luck
Hope 247
Bren30
09-19-2003, 11:30 PM
Hope...What type of surgery did you have was it an open disc surgery or arthoscopic?How are you feeling now?Any complications?
Just wondering...I also had surgery.. and was wondering how you handled it?
Was it for a displaced disk?
Thanks...
Sarah....Have you been to the Dentist yet?When do you go?? Best of luck.. You have a long road ahead..Im sorry.
[This message has been edited by Bren30 (edited 09-19-2003).]
Just wondering...I also had surgery.. and was wondering how you handled it?
Was it for a displaced disk?
Thanks...
Sarah....Have you been to the Dentist yet?When do you go?? Best of luck.. You have a long road ahead..Im sorry.
[This message has been edited by Bren30 (edited 09-19-2003).]
sarah1234
09-20-2003, 06:42 AM
I've read that some of you have has surgery on your jaw, and I was wondering, what do they actually do in the operation? Is it quite a complicated operation? and isn't there any non-surgical treatments(like a plate/brace type thing to put in your mouth?) that would be prescribed before any surgical methods?
Cymy Sue
09-20-2003, 09:52 AM
Sarah,
There are many non-surgical treatments for your problems and pain. Splints, biteplates, etc. And yes, these should be prescribed and tried before even thinking about surgery.
There are many Dentist and a few others in the Dental Field who treat TM Joint Disorders/Dysfunction.
Many proclaim themselves TMJ Specialist. You have to be very careful and find someone who knows what they are doing.
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeons, perform surgery.
There may be a few who would try a non-invasive approach, but this is not what they normally do.
These surgeries are complicated and carry many risks.
We have a brief Consent Form on the board.
Read it carefully. They are very serious about these potential complications and risks, because they do happen.
They happened to me and many other members.
Take care,
Cymy Sue
[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 09-20-2003).]
There are many non-surgical treatments for your problems and pain. Splints, biteplates, etc. And yes, these should be prescribed and tried before even thinking about surgery.
There are many Dentist and a few others in the Dental Field who treat TM Joint Disorders/Dysfunction.
Many proclaim themselves TMJ Specialist. You have to be very careful and find someone who knows what they are doing.
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeons, perform surgery.
There may be a few who would try a non-invasive approach, but this is not what they normally do.
These surgeries are complicated and carry many risks.
We have a brief Consent Form on the board.
Read it carefully. They are very serious about these potential complications and risks, because they do happen.
They happened to me and many other members.
Take care,
Cymy Sue
[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 09-20-2003).]
sarah1234
09-20-2003, 01:36 PM
Are the non-surgical treatments eg. splints often effective? has anyone had success with these types of treatments?
saaraah
09-20-2003, 01:43 PM
sarah - conservative treatments tend to be effective for about 80% of those with TMJD [ive read that figure many times on many different websites]. so yes, conservative treatments can work - you just have to find a competent dentist and get to the root of the problem.
imo, success rates are much higher for conservative treatment than surgery.
you have to educate yourself and be involved in your treatment; it's unwise to put utter and complete trust in a dentist/doctor/oral surgeon who may have ulterior motives: money.
it's good, tho, to be educated because you can converse on a more equal level with your health care provider, and you're able to understand what's going on.
anyway, numerous people on this forum have had great success with neuromuscular dentistry and repositioning splints.
- saaraah.
[This message has been edited by saaraah (edited 09-20-2003).]
imo, success rates are much higher for conservative treatment than surgery.
you have to educate yourself and be involved in your treatment; it's unwise to put utter and complete trust in a dentist/doctor/oral surgeon who may have ulterior motives: money.
it's good, tho, to be educated because you can converse on a more equal level with your health care provider, and you're able to understand what's going on.
anyway, numerous people on this forum have had great success with neuromuscular dentistry and repositioning splints.
- saaraah.
[This message has been edited by saaraah (edited 09-20-2003).]
sarah1234
09-20-2003, 05:43 PM
thanks for your advice saaraah. i agree with what you say about understanding and being involved with any treatment, and for that purpose i'm finding out information about splints etc at the moment. My dentist appointment is soon, and hopefully it will go well. :-)