New to the Board

[Jennifluffer]

Hi everyone. I just found this board today, so forgive me if this topic has been covered recently.

I started having TMJD symptoms about a year ago. I've been told twice now that it's due to apertognathia (open bite). My orthodontist recommends braces and orthognathic surgery to correct my bite and (hopefully as a result) my TMJ issues. Is there anyone out there who has had a similar experience? I'd especially like to hear from anyone who's had the surgery. (I will admit it would be nice to see what it's like to be able to bite things with my front teeth! The people who bite thread with their teeth have always amazed me!)

Thanks!

[littlebrace]

I've never had that surgery but I do have TMJ and an open bite and I am in braces right now. I had braces before TMJ though. They have never mentioned that surgery to me, so I don't know much about it. sorry

[thisstarr]

Hi & Welcome to the board

I am so sorry your in pain,this is the place you will want to be, if you need answers to your questions, or your upset, or sad about something and need to vent, or even a shoulder..well I should say a(computer screen to cry on....

None of us our doctors here,(I wish we were, we are smarted then them on this subject!)

It is sad to say it, but we all have this horrorable thing called TMJ,that we all hate but are learning how to deal and cope with. We can inform you of things we have gone though, and things that have worked best for some and somethings that just didnt work al all.

This board has saved my life, I was at the breaking point in my life, I just couldnt take the pain anyomore, and when I fould this board, I was so happy, finally I fould people that believe in me and understood me and had the same problems I had! This is my second family, and everyone one here gives me hope!

I wish I could answer you question, but I cant even find a freaken doctor to help me, but some one will make a post soon enough for you....


Welcome to the board

Take care,

Starr

[Jennifluffer]

Hi, Thisstar.

Thanks for the welcome. I must say that after I found this site, I felt horrible about the suffering that everyone here endures on a daily basis. It made me realize that my situation pales greatly in comparison. I can't say that at times the pain isn't pretty severe, but I don't have to deal with it on a daily basis (thank goodness). It tends to come and go, so I count myself as extremely lucky when I read what others have gone through.

Thanks so much for the support. It's good to know that there are people out there who care about one another, even if they are strangers.

Jenn

[Pedro]

Jennifer,

If you have read this board extensively going back say a few weeks, I think you would see that neither Orthodontics nor Surgery has helped people much. Unfortunately, the opposite seems to be the case, particularily with Surgery (although I had ortho, not as bad, but a useless and time-consuming way to suffer for no good end). Not very comforting I know.

I would read here about the various kinds of TMJD issues (muscular, inflammation, etc, rather than "structural"), and also the more conservative ways of tackling the problem, such as splints and physio.

Best to you.