sunshine123
03-03-2005, 03:50 AM
Hi Literati: Did you decide what you're going to do? I was wondering if you are going to see my DDS. Hope everything works out for you. Sue
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Literati
03-03-2005, 06:20 PM
Hi Literati: Did you decide what you're going to do? I was wondering if you are going to see my DDS. Hope everything works out for you. Sue
Hi Sue,
I did see your DDS. He seems extremely knowledgeable and has a really interesting office (it's cool that you can lay down on the dentist chair and watch TV at the same time!).
Unfortunately, he didn't seem too optimistic in my situation. He said that your open bite was man-made (via splint therapy) and is less tricky to fix. My anterior open bite, however, was present before splint therapy (probably 1 mm at the time) but worsened after splint therapy (now about 3 mm). He wants me to try braces first and wear a soft night guard at night. Unlike you, he did mention the possibility of surgery if orthodontics can't fix my malocclusion.
As for the TMJ problem, he said my aches and pains are due to my mandible being too far back. However, because none of my problems are daily (I experience neck/jaw pain every other day), he doesn't think I'm a severe case who would need surgical intervention ASAP.
So my plan is to see another TMJ specialist from UCLA and then make an appointment with other functional orthos in the LA area (your DDS gave me a list to choose from). Hopefully I get into some sort of treatment soon because I have been awaiting an implant on #7 for the past 2 years and would like to get it done ASAP before my gum recedes even more (no one will touch me until my "TMJ gets resolved").
Sigh. The good part is that I'll probably help some of my fellow dental school upper-classmen graduate as they have specific clinical graduation requirements. The bad part is that I'll have to face some humiliation considering I have several complex problems.
In any case, thank you for referring me to your DDS. You're in great hands!
Hi Sue,
I did see your DDS. He seems extremely knowledgeable and has a really interesting office (it's cool that you can lay down on the dentist chair and watch TV at the same time!).
Unfortunately, he didn't seem too optimistic in my situation. He said that your open bite was man-made (via splint therapy) and is less tricky to fix. My anterior open bite, however, was present before splint therapy (probably 1 mm at the time) but worsened after splint therapy (now about 3 mm). He wants me to try braces first and wear a soft night guard at night. Unlike you, he did mention the possibility of surgery if orthodontics can't fix my malocclusion.
As for the TMJ problem, he said my aches and pains are due to my mandible being too far back. However, because none of my problems are daily (I experience neck/jaw pain every other day), he doesn't think I'm a severe case who would need surgical intervention ASAP.
So my plan is to see another TMJ specialist from UCLA and then make an appointment with other functional orthos in the LA area (your DDS gave me a list to choose from). Hopefully I get into some sort of treatment soon because I have been awaiting an implant on #7 for the past 2 years and would like to get it done ASAP before my gum recedes even more (no one will touch me until my "TMJ gets resolved").
Sigh. The good part is that I'll probably help some of my fellow dental school upper-classmen graduate as they have specific clinical graduation requirements. The bad part is that I'll have to face some humiliation considering I have several complex problems.
In any case, thank you for referring me to your DDS. You're in great hands!
sunshine123
03-04-2005, 12:52 PM
Hi Literati:
I'm so sorry my DDS wasn't of much help to you. I'm glad Dr. Friedman gave you a list of specialists in L.A. and I hope one of them will be able to help you more.
You're welcome. Take care and let me know how you're doing.
Good luck.
Hugs,
Sue
I'm so sorry my DDS wasn't of much help to you. I'm glad Dr. Friedman gave you a list of specialists in L.A. and I hope one of them will be able to help you more.
You're welcome. Take care and let me know how you're doing.
Good luck.
Hugs,
Sue
Literati
03-04-2005, 09:09 PM
Hi Literati:
I'm so sorry my DDS wasn't of much help to you. I'm glad Dr. Friedman gave you a list of specialists in L.A. and I hope one of them will be able to help you more.
You're welcome. Take care and let me know how you're doing.
Good luck.
Hugs,
Sue
No need to apologize. He was actually a lot of help compared to the other orthos I've met; he didn't jump on the surgery boat as quickly and hastily as the others. By analyzing my tomos, he also discredited another ortho who said I developed an AOB from my "bad airways" as well as another TMJ dentist who told me my narrow airway would probably make me more at risk for sleep apnea.
Lastly, it was great hearing someone who felt that my TMJ problem was due to my recessed lower mandible/chin and anterior open bite rather than a manifestation of my inability to control stress. I've read a handful of literature that correlates AOBs (specifically) with TMD symptoms...and yet, so many medical/dental professionals are too ignorant to accept it.
So please don't feel sorry. :nono: I am so glad I met Dr. Friedman and I would strongly recommend him to anyone seeking ortho tx. As for my own tx, I'll keep on looking. :)
I'm so sorry my DDS wasn't of much help to you. I'm glad Dr. Friedman gave you a list of specialists in L.A. and I hope one of them will be able to help you more.
You're welcome. Take care and let me know how you're doing.
Good luck.
Hugs,
Sue
No need to apologize. He was actually a lot of help compared to the other orthos I've met; he didn't jump on the surgery boat as quickly and hastily as the others. By analyzing my tomos, he also discredited another ortho who said I developed an AOB from my "bad airways" as well as another TMJ dentist who told me my narrow airway would probably make me more at risk for sleep apnea.
Lastly, it was great hearing someone who felt that my TMJ problem was due to my recessed lower mandible/chin and anterior open bite rather than a manifestation of my inability to control stress. I've read a handful of literature that correlates AOBs (specifically) with TMD symptoms...and yet, so many medical/dental professionals are too ignorant to accept it.
So please don't feel sorry. :nono: I am so glad I met Dr. Friedman and I would strongly recommend him to anyone seeking ortho tx. As for my own tx, I'll keep on looking. :)