Arleen
06-11-2003, 09:51 PM
Hi everyone:
I've compiled a bunch of questions for my second visit with the TMJ dentist. If there are questions I should be asking that I've missed, please let me know.
What percentage of your practice is TMJ-related?
What is your dentistry background?
How did you get into TMJD? Have you taken additional courses or received additional training? What?
What is your success rate? [do dentists really tell the truth about this???]
What is the normal measurement of jaw movement from side to side?
What is mine?
What is the normal mouth opening measurement?
What is mine?
Re: Neuromuscular Testing
Do you do bioelectronic testing??
- ESG (to check sounds within the jaw joint)
- CMS (to record delicate functioning movements in the jaw, accuracy in 10ths of a mm)
- EMG (measures and analyzes electrical activity in the muscles that move the jaw at rest and during function)
- TENS (to relax the muscles)
Do you take muscles readings in order to make the splint?
Treatment Related
What exactly is my TMJ problem?
What are the results from my xrays? (tomograms, etc.)
What do you think caused my TMJD problem(s)?
Will the splint(s) correct my TMJ problem?
What do you expect the splint(s) to do?
Over what time frame?
Is the splint(s) the first in a series of steps? (which may include other dental procedures)?
If so, what other treatment(s) are necessary down the road?
Would you be doing it, or would you be referring me to someone else?
To whom?
What type of splint(s) are you recommending?
[there are many different types, both upper and lower]
Are you recommending the same type for day and night?
Why this particular type?
How often will the splint(s) need adjustment?
If my current bite is wrong (which it is), how do you determine the right bite in order to make the splint?
Will the splint(s) stop my symptoms (e.g. tooth pain)?
My bite has been worked on/adjusted. How will you correct this?
p.s. After you have finished using a splint, the next step is often orthodontic or reconstructive work. In case your dentist doesn't mention it (as one I saw recently didn't), you also have the option of wearing a splint indefinitely, either 24/7 or less hours per day - if you don't wish to have your teeth adjusted in any way.
Arleen
[This message has been edited by Arleen (edited 08-11-2003).]
I've compiled a bunch of questions for my second visit with the TMJ dentist. If there are questions I should be asking that I've missed, please let me know.
What percentage of your practice is TMJ-related?
What is your dentistry background?
How did you get into TMJD? Have you taken additional courses or received additional training? What?
What is your success rate? [do dentists really tell the truth about this???]
What is the normal measurement of jaw movement from side to side?
What is mine?
What is the normal mouth opening measurement?
What is mine?
Re: Neuromuscular Testing
Do you do bioelectronic testing??
- ESG (to check sounds within the jaw joint)
- CMS (to record delicate functioning movements in the jaw, accuracy in 10ths of a mm)
- EMG (measures and analyzes electrical activity in the muscles that move the jaw at rest and during function)
- TENS (to relax the muscles)
Do you take muscles readings in order to make the splint?
Treatment Related
What exactly is my TMJ problem?
What are the results from my xrays? (tomograms, etc.)
What do you think caused my TMJD problem(s)?
Will the splint(s) correct my TMJ problem?
What do you expect the splint(s) to do?
Over what time frame?
Is the splint(s) the first in a series of steps? (which may include other dental procedures)?
If so, what other treatment(s) are necessary down the road?
Would you be doing it, or would you be referring me to someone else?
To whom?
What type of splint(s) are you recommending?
[there are many different types, both upper and lower]
Are you recommending the same type for day and night?
Why this particular type?
How often will the splint(s) need adjustment?
If my current bite is wrong (which it is), how do you determine the right bite in order to make the splint?
Will the splint(s) stop my symptoms (e.g. tooth pain)?
My bite has been worked on/adjusted. How will you correct this?
p.s. After you have finished using a splint, the next step is often orthodontic or reconstructive work. In case your dentist doesn't mention it (as one I saw recently didn't), you also have the option of wearing a splint indefinitely, either 24/7 or less hours per day - if you don't wish to have your teeth adjusted in any way.
Arleen
[This message has been edited by Arleen (edited 08-11-2003).]
Sponsor
DianeTMJ
06-11-2003, 10:43 PM
Hi Arleen -
These questions are just great. When you ask about the training.... here are some nueromuscular dentistry instructors; Dr. Jay Gerber, Michael Mazzocco dds. Clayton Chan dds. He should be real specific on where he has received his training.
I hope this helps, Al and I will be thinking about you tomorrow Arleen. If your gut is calm, cool, if your gut feels like there is storm brewing, just say thank you for your time..... and RUN .... okay that is my humor again... sorry! Just consider this like interviewing someone for a job, leaving no stone unturned.
Hugs Arleen
Diane
These questions are just great. When you ask about the training.... here are some nueromuscular dentistry instructors; Dr. Jay Gerber, Michael Mazzocco dds. Clayton Chan dds. He should be real specific on where he has received his training.
I hope this helps, Al and I will be thinking about you tomorrow Arleen. If your gut is calm, cool, if your gut feels like there is storm brewing, just say thank you for your time..... and RUN .... okay that is my humor again... sorry! Just consider this like interviewing someone for a job, leaving no stone unturned.
Hugs Arleen
Diane
Marlene
06-11-2003, 11:11 PM
Hi Arleen,
I think you've just about covered it!! Now try and get a good night's sleep - you'll do just fine!
Marlene
I think you've just about covered it!! Now try and get a good night's sleep - you'll do just fine!
Marlene
CherylLynn24
06-11-2003, 11:15 PM
Arleen,
Geez......you're good. I should've taken you to our appt.'s!!! It sounds like you've covered everything. Listen closely to all of his answers, and then decide. If you don't like a lot of the answers, find someone else. Remember, you're paying him for his services! Good Luck,
Cheryl
Geez......you're good. I should've taken you to our appt.'s!!! It sounds like you've covered everything. Listen closely to all of his answers, and then decide. If you don't like a lot of the answers, find someone else. Remember, you're paying him for his services! Good Luck,
Cheryl
Arleen
06-12-2003, 12:01 AM
Hi:
I feel better knowing you "experts" have checked my questions. I have to do it this way, because I'll get there tomorrow and my mind will go blank. I get an overwhelmed feeling these days being at the dentist's office. I guess a sense of frustration too...not another dentist...does he know he's doing...I'm tired of repeating the same old story. You all know the drill. I'll take a pen and write down his answers as he tells them to me, because they'll end up a blurr as well.
I got some of these questions from reading your posts. Also a dental assistant on another board suggested several good questions, so I can't take credit for all of them. I guess the biggest test is how the dentist reacts to all these questions. Most of the dentists I've seen would have lost patience at about question 5 or 6. After all, who am I to question them?
Diane - I don't know if Dr. Sigesmund has any neuromuscular training. When you next speak to your NMD, ask him if he knows, or knows of, Dr. Chris Lang. I don't believe there are a lot of TMJ dentists in Toronto, so if Dr. Sigesmund doesn't work out, my next move would be to contact Dr. Lang. His office is in Oakville, about an hour out of Toronto. He's listed on the LVI alumni page. He's taken a number of their courses. I may be jumping ahead of myself at this point as I haven't heard everything Dr. Sigesmund has to say. Also, I like your sense of humour. Please give my regards to Al, and thanks to both of you for your good wishes.
Hi Marlene: I'm hoping for a good night's sleep, but it rarely happens the night before I go to the dentist (I can't imagine why!). Last time I went, I took 1/2 clonazepam the night before. It didn't knock me out, but my arms and legs were so heavy, I was like dead weight in bed. I just lay there, not doing much sleeping, but veeeeeeeery relaxed :) I don't think I'll take anything tonight because I'd like to be somewhat with it in the morning. You have a nice sleep too. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Cheryl: Thanks for your kind words. How's Mike doing? Sounds like he's coming along. You're right, I'm the one paying, but it's sometimes hard to stand your ground. I'm learning to be much more persistent in trying to get a dentist to listen to me, and not to be put off when they start reacting badly to what I say but to just plough ahead.
When I'm at the appointment tomorrow, I'll just think of all of you and all the support and help you've given me. That should make the appointment bearable.
Thanks, and hugs to you all.
Arleen
I'll let you know tomorrow how it's going.
I feel better knowing you "experts" have checked my questions. I have to do it this way, because I'll get there tomorrow and my mind will go blank. I get an overwhelmed feeling these days being at the dentist's office. I guess a sense of frustration too...not another dentist...does he know he's doing...I'm tired of repeating the same old story. You all know the drill. I'll take a pen and write down his answers as he tells them to me, because they'll end up a blurr as well.
I got some of these questions from reading your posts. Also a dental assistant on another board suggested several good questions, so I can't take credit for all of them. I guess the biggest test is how the dentist reacts to all these questions. Most of the dentists I've seen would have lost patience at about question 5 or 6. After all, who am I to question them?
Diane - I don't know if Dr. Sigesmund has any neuromuscular training. When you next speak to your NMD, ask him if he knows, or knows of, Dr. Chris Lang. I don't believe there are a lot of TMJ dentists in Toronto, so if Dr. Sigesmund doesn't work out, my next move would be to contact Dr. Lang. His office is in Oakville, about an hour out of Toronto. He's listed on the LVI alumni page. He's taken a number of their courses. I may be jumping ahead of myself at this point as I haven't heard everything Dr. Sigesmund has to say. Also, I like your sense of humour. Please give my regards to Al, and thanks to both of you for your good wishes.
Hi Marlene: I'm hoping for a good night's sleep, but it rarely happens the night before I go to the dentist (I can't imagine why!). Last time I went, I took 1/2 clonazepam the night before. It didn't knock me out, but my arms and legs were so heavy, I was like dead weight in bed. I just lay there, not doing much sleeping, but veeeeeeeery relaxed :) I don't think I'll take anything tonight because I'd like to be somewhat with it in the morning. You have a nice sleep too. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Cheryl: Thanks for your kind words. How's Mike doing? Sounds like he's coming along. You're right, I'm the one paying, but it's sometimes hard to stand your ground. I'm learning to be much more persistent in trying to get a dentist to listen to me, and not to be put off when they start reacting badly to what I say but to just plough ahead.
When I'm at the appointment tomorrow, I'll just think of all of you and all the support and help you've given me. That should make the appointment bearable.
Thanks, and hugs to you all.
Arleen
I'll let you know tomorrow how it's going.
DianeTMJ
06-16-2003, 05:14 PM
Bump
CherylLynn24
08-11-2003, 06:03 PM
bump for Lucy
RobynRose
08-11-2003, 07:39 PM
Bump
[This message has been edited by RobynRose (edited 08-11-2003).]
[This message has been edited by RobynRose (edited 08-11-2003).]
tnmom71
08-11-2003, 07:58 PM
HEY THANKS FOR THE GREAT QUESTION. I AM GOING TO USE THESE FOR MY NEXT APPT. I GO FOR A MRI FRIDAY THEN BACK TO THE ORAL SURGEON THE NEXT FRIDAY. HE HAS ALREADY RECOMMENDED SURGERY, BUT I AM NOT RUSHING INTO SURGERY WITHOUT TRYING MY OTHER OPTIONS FIRST.
THANKS AGAIN
GLENDA
THANKS AGAIN
GLENDA
CherylLynn24
10-22-2003, 03:01 AM
bump for new members
Ouch-ear-pain
10-22-2003, 04:55 AM
Hi Arleen,
Your questions sounded good to me! Wish I asked mine all of that stuff! lol Hope everything goes well for you and let us know how it goes!
Ear
Your questions sounded good to me! Wish I asked mine all of that stuff! lol Hope everything goes well for you and let us know how it goes!
Ear
noNHLhockey
06-05-2005, 10:13 PM
bump to top, good thread.