Any successes w/lower splints vs upper splints? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Caro7 · 04-21-2003, 04:32 PM

Hi All,
I just finished reading thread on
"Beware of splints" and has left me
exhaused. I would like to know if
anyone has had success with the lower
splint vs upper splints? I have this
upper splint that has been adjusted
over 25 times and has always had the
same effect. I have displaced discs
right and left. Within 20 minutes of
wearing splint my jaw is completely
locked and my face, head and neck are
completely paralized. I dont know
why this happens and my doctors dont
know either, but keep insisting I
need a splint. I was wondering about
a splint that is worn on the bottem
teeth, does anyone know what difference
it makes??
My splint doctor says "Im a hopeless
case". He never recommed a bottem
splint. (Dr Cohen in AZ).
Help! If it is possible for me to
wear a spint i would. NO MORE SURGERY!!
Thanks a bunch,
Car-o

Marlene · 04-21-2003, 09:26 PM

Hi Caro,

I have had complete success with a lower splint. One dentist prescribed a soft upper splint which I wore for about 3 - 4 months. My symptoms worsened. The dentist who successfully treated my TMJ prescribed a hard lower splint. He said the first splint was doing me more harm as it was pushing my lower jaw back - and it was already too far back to begin with. Turns out (in my case) he was correct!
Everybody's TMJ is different. You have to find a doctor/dentist who KNOWS what they're doing with splints, and what is the correct splint for your situation. As many have posted before - a splint is only as good/effective as the person who's fitting/adjusting it.

Marlene

SCarpenter333 · 04-21-2003, 09:33 PM

Marlene is so right! My splint was hurting me so bad, I was near tears every day. I took mine out last week, and I acutally ate peanuts today!!!!!!!! Yea I did hurt a bit after but I ate peanuts! My muscles did not freeze up or anything. I do have to say my mouth is going back to the way it was though and when I open my mouth is goes all the way over to the left, but hay I can eat!!!! A splint is only as good as the one who adjusts it!
Shelly

mek918 · 04-22-2003, 07:44 AM

Marlene you sound like me - I hope!

I had no luck whatsoever with an upper splint. I'm in the process of getting a lower splint. I cannot wait to get it....will keep youp posted on my progress.

cfreund · 04-22-2003, 02:55 PM

I am a "splint success story" now as well! My bite is about 90 percent back and it's due to splints. It took a while and it hurt like hell for a while as well. It was hard to eat, talk, etc., but it did work. I wore a lower one during the day and upper at night and then wore only the upper for a while. I still wear the upper at night only. good luck.