susu2007
01-04-2009, 06:55 AM
My report reads:
"Open and closed mouth sagitall oblique, coronal, and axial views were obtained. The articular disc of the right TMJ joint shows mild anterior displacement on closed mouth views with no reduction on open mouth views, however, normal anterior translation of the mandibular condyle is noted, otherwise normal. Normal MRI appearance of the left TMJ joint."
Does this sound like something that could cause serious problems similar to the ones I have been suffering with the acute tightness in my temporalis and forehead muscles that lead to my walking around in a constant state of disequlibrium in addition to the very stiff neck and shoulders?
I have no pain in the joint itself. I am not sure whether my next step should be to deal with the muscles issues by seeking the help of a trigger point therapist or whether I should seriously consider travelling to the UK to see a TMJ specialist which is very expensive. We don't have any specialists in Amman, Jordan.
Thanks,..
"Open and closed mouth sagitall oblique, coronal, and axial views were obtained. The articular disc of the right TMJ joint shows mild anterior displacement on closed mouth views with no reduction on open mouth views, however, normal anterior translation of the mandibular condyle is noted, otherwise normal. Normal MRI appearance of the left TMJ joint."
Does this sound like something that could cause serious problems similar to the ones I have been suffering with the acute tightness in my temporalis and forehead muscles that lead to my walking around in a constant state of disequlibrium in addition to the very stiff neck and shoulders?
I have no pain in the joint itself. I am not sure whether my next step should be to deal with the muscles issues by seeking the help of a trigger point therapist or whether I should seriously consider travelling to the UK to see a TMJ specialist which is very expensive. We don't have any specialists in Amman, Jordan.
Thanks,..
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StillHope
01-05-2009, 12:55 AM
Did you have any dental work done on your back teeth?
How long have you been walking like you describe and having these
muscle pains? Watch carefully what happens when you bite down. Does your jaw move/slide a tiny bit after the teeth touch?
To me it seems that you might have some teeth/crowns on the right side which are higher and do not allow your right jaw to close normally. This can cause the tightness in all the areas which you describe.
How long have you been walking like you describe and having these
muscle pains? Watch carefully what happens when you bite down. Does your jaw move/slide a tiny bit after the teeth touch?
To me it seems that you might have some teeth/crowns on the right side which are higher and do not allow your right jaw to close normally. This can cause the tightness in all the areas which you describe.
susu2007
01-05-2009, 03:46 AM
Hi Stillhope,
I have a single tooth which has recently been crowned long after my symptoms began almost a year and a half ago. My bite seems to be ok and my upper and lower teeth touch perfectly.
I just want to know how serious a mild disc displacement is. My problem is that my head and neck feel very stiff all over. Sometimes I get a headache on either the right or left side of my head just above the eyes.
I have a single tooth which has recently been crowned long after my symptoms began almost a year and a half ago. My bite seems to be ok and my upper and lower teeth touch perfectly.
I just want to know how serious a mild disc displacement is. My problem is that my head and neck feel very stiff all over. Sometimes I get a headache on either the right or left side of my head just above the eyes.
luvtocamp
01-05-2009, 09:11 AM
I would try PT or therapy for the neck first. Your teeth are balanced you say, so they will want to grind on them (make them unbalanced) or make you a splint.
susu2007
01-05-2009, 12:43 PM
Thanks luvtocamp.
So you don't recommend I get a splint at this stage? I don't have any pain in my joint or jaw area. All my symptoms are musclar.
So you don't recommend I get a splint at this stage? I don't have any pain in my joint or jaw area. All my symptoms are musclar.
luvtocamp
01-05-2009, 02:29 PM
I just saying from my own experience.
You can always get a splint later if PT doesn't help, but once they start messing with your bite and splint therapy its too late to turn back the clock.
Keep us posted.
You can always get a splint later if PT doesn't help, but once they start messing with your bite and splint therapy its too late to turn back the clock.
Keep us posted.
susu2007
01-05-2009, 03:42 PM
Thanks luvtocamp.
I am thinking of giving trigger point therapy a shot and see how things go. I would also like to show my MRI scans to a TMJ specialist but I won't committ myself to anything before I am fully convinced that it is the right thing to do.
Is it possible that the displaced disc could recapture after sorting out my muscluar problems? I am also thinking of trying the NTI for a couple of weeks to see whether it would minimise my symptoms by putting an end to my clenching.
I am thinking of giving trigger point therapy a shot and see how things go. I would also like to show my MRI scans to a TMJ specialist but I won't committ myself to anything before I am fully convinced that it is the right thing to do.
Is it possible that the displaced disc could recapture after sorting out my muscluar problems? I am also thinking of trying the NTI for a couple of weeks to see whether it would minimise my symptoms by putting an end to my clenching.
StillHope
01-06-2009, 02:17 AM
Hi Susu2007,
A mildly displaced disk on its own is not a big problem and it can be recaptured if the bite allows the jaw to get to the place where it has to be. The absence of pain in the teeth or in the jaw is not necessarily a good indicator. There are people with a lot of pain and almost no problem in the jaw and there are severely worn out disks with no pain.
What concerns me is the symptoms you have, like pain above the eyes and headaches, etc. -- they are very likely to confirm that your jaw is biting or moving too much forward, just as what MRI showed as well!
I agree with LTC about a splint, and PT. Trigger point therapy is great too, anything that helps your muscles relax and your body align. Just try to watch after you feel good where your jaw wants to bite and whether this is where you are indeed biting. Muscle spasms and pains do not appear from nothing. According to some dental/tmj sites over 90% of tmj cases are caused by the improper occlusion. You might not be aware of it so far. So just try to watch carefully where your jaw is when you are relaxed and w/o pains and where you bite when in pain.
A mildly displaced disk on its own is not a big problem and it can be recaptured if the bite allows the jaw to get to the place where it has to be. The absence of pain in the teeth or in the jaw is not necessarily a good indicator. There are people with a lot of pain and almost no problem in the jaw and there are severely worn out disks with no pain.
What concerns me is the symptoms you have, like pain above the eyes and headaches, etc. -- they are very likely to confirm that your jaw is biting or moving too much forward, just as what MRI showed as well!
I agree with LTC about a splint, and PT. Trigger point therapy is great too, anything that helps your muscles relax and your body align. Just try to watch after you feel good where your jaw wants to bite and whether this is where you are indeed biting. Muscle spasms and pains do not appear from nothing. According to some dental/tmj sites over 90% of tmj cases are caused by the improper occlusion. You might not be aware of it so far. So just try to watch carefully where your jaw is when you are relaxed and w/o pains and where you bite when in pain.
susu2007
01-06-2009, 11:13 AM
Thanks everyone.
I am curious to know if my disc could recapture without a splint? I don't want to go down that road just yet. And if it does recapture, will I need another MRI to find out?
I am curious to know if my disc could recapture without a splint? I don't want to go down that road just yet. And if it does recapture, will I need another MRI to find out?
Elaine G
01-07-2009, 12:27 PM
I've had TMJ pain for many years and it's getting worse. I take celebrex everyday to help alleviate the pain. I also have ringing in my ears everyday and I'm sure it is caused from my TMJ. I've been to several dentists and they agree that I have TMJ problems, but none of them can help me with it, and they ignore the problem. Please, I would like some advise from other TMJ sufferers.