Cymy Sue
06-13-2004, 08:39 AM
All splints are not designed correctly and not designed for each person's individual condition.
Find someone who knows this and you will most likely find help.
There are other therapies that can help tremedously along with the appropriate Splint Therapy. Chiro, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, Skilled Relaxation Techniques, and the list goes on.
Many splints look very simple and it's hard to understand what they can possibly do to help. A splint is only as good as the provider who designs it for your individual condition.
Sadly, many are assembly line splints, same design for everyone.
Mine may be one of the most simple and small that anyone could imagine.
It's design was very complicated due to my post surgical condition and a lot of combined knowlege and preparation was needed beforehand.
It worked and it worked quickly to alleviate TMJ symptoms and the long-term damages from surgeries.
The point is, the design was well thought out, compared to others used to alleviate problems & symptoms of destroyed joints and IT WORKED.
They also do not have to cost a fortune to work. The most expensive is not always the best. Mine was 600$ and I have a life not controlled by TMJ, anymore.
(over 25 years to get to this place)
It's design was combined knowledge of my General Dentist & others who have extended their education continually on TMJ problems and Splint Therapy.
Proper diagnosing and appropriate Splint design being foremost in that education.
They're out there. Finding them is the hard part.
Cymy Sue
Multi-Surgery Survivor & Splint Therapy Success
Find someone who knows this and you will most likely find help.
There are other therapies that can help tremedously along with the appropriate Splint Therapy. Chiro, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, Skilled Relaxation Techniques, and the list goes on.
Many splints look very simple and it's hard to understand what they can possibly do to help. A splint is only as good as the provider who designs it for your individual condition.
Sadly, many are assembly line splints, same design for everyone.
Mine may be one of the most simple and small that anyone could imagine.
It's design was very complicated due to my post surgical condition and a lot of combined knowlege and preparation was needed beforehand.
It worked and it worked quickly to alleviate TMJ symptoms and the long-term damages from surgeries.
The point is, the design was well thought out, compared to others used to alleviate problems & symptoms of destroyed joints and IT WORKED.
They also do not have to cost a fortune to work. The most expensive is not always the best. Mine was 600$ and I have a life not controlled by TMJ, anymore.
(over 25 years to get to this place)
It's design was combined knowledge of my General Dentist & others who have extended their education continually on TMJ problems and Splint Therapy.
Proper diagnosing and appropriate Splint design being foremost in that education.
They're out there. Finding them is the hard part.
Cymy Sue
Multi-Surgery Survivor & Splint Therapy Success
Sponsor
westin4
06-13-2004, 10:52 AM
Cymey,
You are SO right!! I have had my share of splints and they can make you worse or they can literally give you life!!
Do you mind telling me what your splint looks like and what it is made out of? My dentist is in the process of designing one himself for me. He has an idea in his head and has found a lab who will make it if he can design a prototype. I think he has struck gold here with his idea and I am very thankful that he has taken his own personal time to figure out what will work best for "me"
Thanks as always for all your help,
Karen
You are SO right!! I have had my share of splints and they can make you worse or they can literally give you life!!
Do you mind telling me what your splint looks like and what it is made out of? My dentist is in the process of designing one himself for me. He has an idea in his head and has found a lab who will make it if he can design a prototype. I think he has struck gold here with his idea and I am very thankful that he has taken his own personal time to figure out what will work best for "me"
Thanks as always for all your help,
Karen
Cymy Sue
06-15-2004, 07:26 AM
Karen,
My splint is a hard, clear, acrylic bottom fit. It looks similar to a flat plane, but has very small bite wings to keep my teeth from moving around. The bite wings are just a very small thicker area on each side on the front. You have to look hard to see them.
It's very small & thin. Only about a mm or so of acrylic between my teeth.
It doesn't have a specific name. It was designed to support my joints and "passively" relax muscles.
My bite was surgically set 16 years ago with Orthognathic Surgery, which included braces for these surgeries and then a little Dental Work. My bite was not bad to start with, but along the way, I lost a few good teeth due to various problems. I have some Bridgework to compensate.
I've had other Dental Work and my dentist always makes sure never to change my bite.
The splint doesn't change it either. It's primary function is to unload the joints and keep the muscles from over-working or over-compensating.
My Dentist believes the less or least, regarding an appliance, that can be used to alleviate symptoms, the better.
He believes many splints are too large all around and many have the back teeth, too far apart. He believes this adds trauma to the joints, regardless of the nature of the problem.
Theories on Splint Designs change constantly. His belief is take the simplest and safest route to achieve the desired results.
To be aware of any changes an appliance will make to the patient's bite, muscle position, joint structure, etc. and avoid further damage or problems.
He has never made 2 splints exactly the same. He says he has never had 2 patients with exactly the same problems, symptoms or damage.
I hope you have found the same kind of Dentist,
Good Luck.
Cymy Sue
My splint is a hard, clear, acrylic bottom fit. It looks similar to a flat plane, but has very small bite wings to keep my teeth from moving around. The bite wings are just a very small thicker area on each side on the front. You have to look hard to see them.
It's very small & thin. Only about a mm or so of acrylic between my teeth.
It doesn't have a specific name. It was designed to support my joints and "passively" relax muscles.
My bite was surgically set 16 years ago with Orthognathic Surgery, which included braces for these surgeries and then a little Dental Work. My bite was not bad to start with, but along the way, I lost a few good teeth due to various problems. I have some Bridgework to compensate.
I've had other Dental Work and my dentist always makes sure never to change my bite.
The splint doesn't change it either. It's primary function is to unload the joints and keep the muscles from over-working or over-compensating.
My Dentist believes the less or least, regarding an appliance, that can be used to alleviate symptoms, the better.
He believes many splints are too large all around and many have the back teeth, too far apart. He believes this adds trauma to the joints, regardless of the nature of the problem.
Theories on Splint Designs change constantly. His belief is take the simplest and safest route to achieve the desired results.
To be aware of any changes an appliance will make to the patient's bite, muscle position, joint structure, etc. and avoid further damage or problems.
He has never made 2 splints exactly the same. He says he has never had 2 patients with exactly the same problems, symptoms or damage.
I hope you have found the same kind of Dentist,
Good Luck.
Cymy Sue
westin4
06-15-2004, 10:51 AM
Cymey,
Thank you so much for the info, I ALWAYS enjoy reading your posts that are so full of information!
I too, have finally found a WONDERFUL dentist who is getting me "fixed" after 10 years! What he has accomplished in just 9 weeks is amazing. I have a very different problem than he has seen. I need all of the "weight" of my bite to be focused on my back teeth only. My two back molars are the ones I need to be touching. For the last 10 years and 3 splints the focus has been putting the weight on my eye teeth and just getting me off those has made such a dramatic improvement! Right now my premolars and back molars are finally touching and those are the only ones resting on the splint.
Mine is also the clear, hard, acrylic type. Right now my dentist is designing a splint made just for me. He has found a lab in Lexington, Ky. that will make it for him if he can design the prototype. He has spent MANY hours after office time on my problem knowing that I have suffered so needlessly for so many years. He has a design sketched and it kind of looks like one he showed me that is made in Canada. It is going to be a titanium band or thin wire that will go across the bottom teeth and have a thickness of either acrylic or metal/rubber that will be at either end that will fit over my back molars allowing them to be the only ones that touch. I have not had my back teeth touch for 8 years now and he said the damage that does is very hard on the joints and muscles.
Now that he has me off my front teeth I have had NO dizziness for over 6 weeks!!! I was literally holding on to the walls trying to walk I was so dizzy before.
Thanks again for all your wisdom and taking the time to share it with everyone......
have a good day.
Karen
Thank you so much for the info, I ALWAYS enjoy reading your posts that are so full of information!
I too, have finally found a WONDERFUL dentist who is getting me "fixed" after 10 years! What he has accomplished in just 9 weeks is amazing. I have a very different problem than he has seen. I need all of the "weight" of my bite to be focused on my back teeth only. My two back molars are the ones I need to be touching. For the last 10 years and 3 splints the focus has been putting the weight on my eye teeth and just getting me off those has made such a dramatic improvement! Right now my premolars and back molars are finally touching and those are the only ones resting on the splint.
Mine is also the clear, hard, acrylic type. Right now my dentist is designing a splint made just for me. He has found a lab in Lexington, Ky. that will make it for him if he can design the prototype. He has spent MANY hours after office time on my problem knowing that I have suffered so needlessly for so many years. He has a design sketched and it kind of looks like one he showed me that is made in Canada. It is going to be a titanium band or thin wire that will go across the bottom teeth and have a thickness of either acrylic or metal/rubber that will be at either end that will fit over my back molars allowing them to be the only ones that touch. I have not had my back teeth touch for 8 years now and he said the damage that does is very hard on the joints and muscles.
Now that he has me off my front teeth I have had NO dizziness for over 6 weeks!!! I was literally holding on to the walls trying to walk I was so dizzy before.
Thanks again for all your wisdom and taking the time to share it with everyone......
have a good day.
Karen
westin4
06-16-2004, 12:57 AM
hey heidi,
I am sooooo glad about what dana has set up for you!! What an awesome friend to have done this!! I am so in hopes that things work out.
I am also very glad that you decided against the arthro procedure. Like I said, I would have been tempted myself. Sometimes it is like they are the devil in a dentist suit.......they tempt you with their sweet talk and good sounding results then after they take your money they leave you high and dry!!!!!!! :)
I am anxious to hear how it all works out for you!
Hey, how are the wedding plans coming? What are you working on now?
Karen
I am sooooo glad about what dana has set up for you!! What an awesome friend to have done this!! I am so in hopes that things work out.
I am also very glad that you decided against the arthro procedure. Like I said, I would have been tempted myself. Sometimes it is like they are the devil in a dentist suit.......they tempt you with their sweet talk and good sounding results then after they take your money they leave you high and dry!!!!!!! :)
I am anxious to hear how it all works out for you!
Hey, how are the wedding plans coming? What are you working on now?
Karen
Thelma-Louise
06-20-2004, 10:25 PM
I am looking into getting my first splint - what questions should I ask the dentist? How will he know whether to have my teeth meet in the back or in the front? For years my bite was resting on the back teeth and the dentist I was seeing was trying to "correct" it by having me bite on the front teeth - such agony and, yes, constant dizziness. Should I tell the latest dentist how I want my bite?