sunshine123
11-21-2003, 03:42 PM
Hi Arleen: I have the same tooth and gum pain that you do. I've been seeing a TMJ specialist who is tops in his field, but no matter how many times he adjusts the splint, it's still putting too much pressure on my teeth. My bite is so screwed up that only my 2nd molars touch. I also have gum recession and all my problems are on the left side of my mouth, which is the side that I seem to grind and clench on the most. This morning I woke up with the left side of my lips feeling swollen from grinding on the splint and my teeth and gums hurting. The TMJ guy thinks that my problems are strictly dental, but I'm not so sure about that. You know how defensive they get when they realize that their treatment isn't working. This is the 3rd TMJ specialist I've seen already and I don't know what to do at this point. I don't have the excruciating headaches or facial pain anymore, but the reason I sought treatment in the first place was due to the tooth and gum pain. So, I'm back where I started. I can't stand the thought of my life always revolving around pain. I really don't want Orthognathic surgery, especially since my problem is supposedly muscular. Can you tell me how you found the homeopathic treatment you're receiving and what exactly they're doing for you? I hope your gums continue to improve. Thanks. Sue
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TiffanyAnn
11-22-2003, 12:02 AM
Hi Sue:
I don't mean to jump in the middle of your post. I just wanted to say HI! :wave: How have you been?
Hugs,
Tiffany
I don't mean to jump in the middle of your post. I just wanted to say HI! :wave: How have you been?
Hugs,
Tiffany
sunshine123
11-22-2003, 01:09 AM
Hi Sue:
I don't mean to jump in the middle of your post. I just wanted to say HI! :wave: How have you been?
Hugs,
Tiffany
Hi Tiffany: It's great to hear from you. I'm just going nuts from this TMJ crap. Everytime I think things are improving, I find out I'm wrong. My general DDS is supposed to be consulting with my TMJ guy to see if they can figure out what to do with me next. The TMJ guy is surprised that splint therapy hasn't closed up my bite. Only my 2nd molars make contact and that makes it difficult to chew anything. I just wear the splint at night now and I wake up with tooth and gum pain from grinding on it. I wish I never had to wear it again. I've kept the headaches and facial pain at bay by doing jaw and neck stretches everyday, so that's a good thing.
How have you been? Are you still doing well with your splint?
Hugs,
Sue
I don't mean to jump in the middle of your post. I just wanted to say HI! :wave: How have you been?
Hugs,
Tiffany
Hi Tiffany: It's great to hear from you. I'm just going nuts from this TMJ crap. Everytime I think things are improving, I find out I'm wrong. My general DDS is supposed to be consulting with my TMJ guy to see if they can figure out what to do with me next. The TMJ guy is surprised that splint therapy hasn't closed up my bite. Only my 2nd molars make contact and that makes it difficult to chew anything. I just wear the splint at night now and I wake up with tooth and gum pain from grinding on it. I wish I never had to wear it again. I've kept the headaches and facial pain at bay by doing jaw and neck stretches everyday, so that's a good thing.
How have you been? Are you still doing well with your splint?
Hugs,
Sue
Arleen
11-22-2003, 03:02 AM
Hi Sue:
Sorry to hear you're having all these problems. I sometimes think that just because someone is considered an expert in the field, doesn't necessarily make it so. It sounds to me like it wouldn't hurt to get another opinion on your TMD problems.
I've found that when a dentist's treatment isn't working, they often blame the patient. Sounds like you're having the same problem I had, with lots of pressure on one side. I had sore teeth and gums before getting my splints, but the pain was limited to certain areas. Once I got the splints, I got pain in other spots as well.
A very wonderful small family-run pharmacy near where I live gave me the name of the homeopath I'm seeing. It's only been about 3 weeks, which is too early to know how I'll do. The homeopath took a VERY detailed history of my background, ailments, lifestyle, personality, etc. Each case is very individual, so what he prescribed for me and my problems would likely be entirely wrong for you. Also, supplements vary tremendous by brand so if I'm using one company's supplement, and you were to buy another, the end result may vary. The homeopath also realizes that no matter what treatment he gives me, it won't put my condyles back in place. So that part still needs to be taken care of my a dentist who can make me a comfortable, properly adjusted splint.
My gums are a little less inflammed and looking pinker. Hey, I'll take any improvement. Also a bit less sore. I know the splints and mouthguards I wear at night are causing a lot of my pain, but if I don't sleep with something, I grind. Perhaps you have a GP who can refer you to a homeopath? Maybe a homeopathic college or association in your area? I guess like everything else, there are going to be good and bad ones. I hope you find someone who can help, but it sounds like we both need some good splints. :*
Take care,
Arleen
Sorry to hear you're having all these problems. I sometimes think that just because someone is considered an expert in the field, doesn't necessarily make it so. It sounds to me like it wouldn't hurt to get another opinion on your TMD problems.
I've found that when a dentist's treatment isn't working, they often blame the patient. Sounds like you're having the same problem I had, with lots of pressure on one side. I had sore teeth and gums before getting my splints, but the pain was limited to certain areas. Once I got the splints, I got pain in other spots as well.
A very wonderful small family-run pharmacy near where I live gave me the name of the homeopath I'm seeing. It's only been about 3 weeks, which is too early to know how I'll do. The homeopath took a VERY detailed history of my background, ailments, lifestyle, personality, etc. Each case is very individual, so what he prescribed for me and my problems would likely be entirely wrong for you. Also, supplements vary tremendous by brand so if I'm using one company's supplement, and you were to buy another, the end result may vary. The homeopath also realizes that no matter what treatment he gives me, it won't put my condyles back in place. So that part still needs to be taken care of my a dentist who can make me a comfortable, properly adjusted splint.
My gums are a little less inflammed and looking pinker. Hey, I'll take any improvement. Also a bit less sore. I know the splints and mouthguards I wear at night are causing a lot of my pain, but if I don't sleep with something, I grind. Perhaps you have a GP who can refer you to a homeopath? Maybe a homeopathic college or association in your area? I guess like everything else, there are going to be good and bad ones. I hope you find someone who can help, but it sounds like we both need some good splints. :*
Take care,
Arleen
TiffanyAnn
11-23-2003, 10:27 PM
Hi Sue:
I'm so sorry that your splint has not worked better for you. I am a bit confused, did your TMJ guy want to do only phase 1? What were his plans for phase 2? You are right, splints get tiring. Nobody wants to be stuck wearing a splint the rest of their lives. I am doing really well with my splint and I pray it continues as it has. On a scale of 0 to 10 my pain was 10 when I started, it's now down to about a 2. The killer headaches have subsided so that helps too so much. Please let me know what your dentist and TMJ guy decide.
Tiffany
I'm so sorry that your splint has not worked better for you. I am a bit confused, did your TMJ guy want to do only phase 1? What were his plans for phase 2? You are right, splints get tiring. Nobody wants to be stuck wearing a splint the rest of their lives. I am doing really well with my splint and I pray it continues as it has. On a scale of 0 to 10 my pain was 10 when I started, it's now down to about a 2. The killer headaches have subsided so that helps too so much. Please let me know what your dentist and TMJ guy decide.
Tiffany
sunshine123
11-23-2003, 10:45 PM
Hi Sue:
I'm so sorry that your splint has not worked better for you. I am a bit confused, did your TMJ guy want to do only phase 1? What were his plans for phase 2? You are right, splints get tiring. Nobody wants to be stuck wearing a splint the rest of their lives. I am doing really well with my splint and I pray it continues as it has. On a scale of 0 to 10 my pain was 10 when I started, it's now down to about a 2. The killer headaches have subsided so that helps too so much. Please let me know what your dentist and TMJ guy decide.
Tiffany
Hi Tiffany and Arleen:
I think my TMJ guy is at a loss as to what to do with me. At one point he mentioned equilabration. Then, the next time I saw him, he thought about maybe crowns. Thirdly, he's mentioned Orthognathic surgery and I told him I don't want surgery. The general DDS I just started seeing said I have other options such as the first 2 things or braces. I'll be seeing the general DDS Dec. 4th and hopefully he and the TMJ guy will have come up with a plan. It's so frustrating, not to mention depressing. I'm lucky in that I don't have the dizzies or ear problems anymore, but I'm going out of my mind from the other things. I'd like to be able to go one day without pain and be able to chew like a human being!!!! It's like a nightmare that doesn't ever end. Tiffany, I'm so happy to hear how well you're doing though. We all deserve that much. Sue
I'm so sorry that your splint has not worked better for you. I am a bit confused, did your TMJ guy want to do only phase 1? What were his plans for phase 2? You are right, splints get tiring. Nobody wants to be stuck wearing a splint the rest of their lives. I am doing really well with my splint and I pray it continues as it has. On a scale of 0 to 10 my pain was 10 when I started, it's now down to about a 2. The killer headaches have subsided so that helps too so much. Please let me know what your dentist and TMJ guy decide.
Tiffany
Hi Tiffany and Arleen:
I think my TMJ guy is at a loss as to what to do with me. At one point he mentioned equilabration. Then, the next time I saw him, he thought about maybe crowns. Thirdly, he's mentioned Orthognathic surgery and I told him I don't want surgery. The general DDS I just started seeing said I have other options such as the first 2 things or braces. I'll be seeing the general DDS Dec. 4th and hopefully he and the TMJ guy will have come up with a plan. It's so frustrating, not to mention depressing. I'm lucky in that I don't have the dizzies or ear problems anymore, but I'm going out of my mind from the other things. I'd like to be able to go one day without pain and be able to chew like a human being!!!! It's like a nightmare that doesn't ever end. Tiffany, I'm so happy to hear how well you're doing though. We all deserve that much. Sue