Ouch-ear-pain
10-15-2003, 03:58 PM
Is that a good measurement? Do you know what the "normal" range would be? Anyone?
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OHJELJ
10-15-2003, 04:54 PM
I think this measurement is different for most, but my doc wanted an opening of 45mm to 50mm after my surgery. I started with 8mm and am now at 47mm following surgery and 6mo of PT. I will say that I think whatever opening you have should be fine if you can function, chew and live pain free!
Best of luck,
Jennifer
Best of luck,
Jennifer
Cymy Sue
10-15-2003, 05:13 PM
Close to 50 mm is about normal. I read your other post and I'm not sure what the dentist was talking about in regard to 11 mm. With 11 mm you could barely part your teeth, you could not have opened wide enough for this exam and you couldn't get a cleaning.
You mentioned 44 mm. That may be your opening, which is good. You can tell roughly by how many knuckles you can comfortably get into your mouth, between your teeth. 2 knuckles is roughly in the 30's or 3 knuckles is in the 40's to 50. You can also measure with a ruler. 1 inch is about 25 mm.
I hope you don't mind me saying so, but I don't believe you've seen a very good Dentist for treating TMJD problems. Clenching and grinding are problems most of have or have had. If telling someone to stop would work, there would be very few cases of TMJD.
There are many things we can do to try and not do these things, but there is no magical cure for clenching and grinding. You did not cause the TMJ problems. I stopped grinding after my bite was fixed and I only stopped clenching with my current splint. I am 51.
A splint would most likely help you to start with and you may need braces later.
I would see if my parents might try and find someone else to help.
Sorry you had such a bad visit. It happens to all of us. I've had TMJD most of my life. I started having real bad problems in my teens. No one knew what it was ((((((way))))) back then. My parents tried to find out what was wrong with me and couldn't.
We know what it is now and you can find someone who will know how to help.
Take Care,
Cymy Sue
You mentioned 44 mm. That may be your opening, which is good. You can tell roughly by how many knuckles you can comfortably get into your mouth, between your teeth. 2 knuckles is roughly in the 30's or 3 knuckles is in the 40's to 50. You can also measure with a ruler. 1 inch is about 25 mm.
I hope you don't mind me saying so, but I don't believe you've seen a very good Dentist for treating TMJD problems. Clenching and grinding are problems most of have or have had. If telling someone to stop would work, there would be very few cases of TMJD.
There are many things we can do to try and not do these things, but there is no magical cure for clenching and grinding. You did not cause the TMJ problems. I stopped grinding after my bite was fixed and I only stopped clenching with my current splint. I am 51.
A splint would most likely help you to start with and you may need braces later.
I would see if my parents might try and find someone else to help.
Sorry you had such a bad visit. It happens to all of us. I've had TMJD most of my life. I started having real bad problems in my teens. No one knew what it was ((((((way))))) back then. My parents tried to find out what was wrong with me and couldn't.
We know what it is now and you can find someone who will know how to help.
Take Care,
Cymy Sue
Ouch-ear-pain
10-16-2003, 02:05 AM
Thank you all for replying,
CYMY: I guess my overall opening is 44mm. I heard that it is bad? Well, I agree with you that he doesn't know what is going on. He did not even ask my symptoms which he should have, (so I thouhgt). I just don't know what I am going to do know!
Ear
CYMY: I guess my overall opening is 44mm. I heard that it is bad? Well, I agree with you that he doesn't know what is going on. He did not even ask my symptoms which he should have, (so I thouhgt). I just don't know what I am going to do know!
Ear
saaraah
10-16-2003, 09:25 AM
ouch - i dont think that 44 mm is bad, per se. it's only a few mm smaller than normal. if it were a lot smaller [say, under 25 mm, i believe], you'd probably have both discs permanently displaced.
- saaraah.
- saaraah.