Arleen

Hi Everyone:
I did a lot of thinking before my appointment and decided I wasn't going to go ahead with having impressions done at my second appt with Dr. Sigesmund. First, I wanted all my questions answered and I wanted to have a good understanding of his plan of treatment.

So, I told him what I had decided and he had a little hissy fit. Nothing drastic. More like a reaction you'd expect from a pertulent child. Along the lines of, "well why didn't you tell me? I told you that's what this appointment was for..." etc. You get the idea, along with an exasperated look on his face. So, I tried to explain again that he knows how many dentists I've seen, that I've had bad things done to me, that I've been given bad advice, and I just needed to have a clear understanding of everything, that it wasn't personal, wasn't a reflection on him.

He seems very rigid in the way he approaches appointments. At my first appointment, when he'd ask questions, I'd start giving details and he'd say to me "keep it simple. Just yes or no." Anyway, I obviously threw him off his system today. When I said I had a lot of questions, he said patients usually ask them at the end, when he's finished explaining everything. Oh dear, what was I thinking, trying to ask them at the beginning! He maintained a defensive posture for the rest of my appointment.

My x-rays show a flattening of the jaw joint. I think he said this was not unexpected for my age. He said my condyles are very retruded (too far back). He didn't explain what condyles were or any more detail than that. I only know from reading online, but don't at this point understand the implications of this. I'd appreciate any clarification you can offer on what this means. If any of you have similar problems, I'd like to hear what help you've been given, and if it's working.

I asked what the wand thing he used on me last time was. It's a dopler. He used it instead of a stethoscope. The crackling noise indicates that the cartilidge is not running smoothly over the jaw joint. Again, I don't know the implications of this, but none of this sounds good. I had thought all my problems would be muscular.

He showed me samples of the 2 othotics he recommended. The day one is a mandibular othopedic repositioning appliance. It fits over the bottom teeth, except the front ones. The night one is a Ferrar (sp?). It fits behind (not over) all the upper teeth. It's has a clear acrylic ledge type thing behind the front teeth, which I guess my bottom teeth fit into or rest against. When I asked what type they were (because you guys have had so many discussions on different types), he said in all the years he's practiced, no one has asked him that. Oh yes, he was thrilled with me

The appliances would be worn for 6 months. He couldn't give me an idea of how long they take to start working. He said it varies from person to person. He couldn't give me a long term treatment plan, because he doesn't know how things will proceed.

There's been a lot of discussion of wisdom teeth on this board, and even with the dentists I've seen. Several dentists have said nobody chews back there anyway, although my mom and I both think we use ours. I asked him if the appliances (particularly the day one that fits over my teeth) would include my wisdom teeth. He said no, so I asked if this would be a problem; couldn't they erupt? Yes, this could be a problem, in which case, they'd need to be removed!!!!! Good think I knew enough to ask this (thanks to you guys). I don't want perfectly good wisdom teeth taken out. Also, a number of people say wisdom teeth removal started their TMJ problems. Or, if it didn't start them, it made their TMJD worse. This more than his bad attitude worries me.

Crystal - I think it was you who asked about costs. Roughly, the 2 appliances cost $1000 (each is 380 + lab fee). Initially, adjustments are done weekly for 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks. Each adjustment is $85. The receptionist said something about depending on how you pay, it may end up a bit less per adjustment (sorry, I can't remember the details). He has two $30 charges, for oral habits, and oral hygiene. I asked what these were (too late, I'd already paid) and the receptionist said that the dentist will make comments if he notices you're doing anything wrong. For example, I was told not to wear my purse hanging from my shoulder. Another example would be that the dentist would show me how to yawn properly. He hasn't because I don't experience any pain when yawning. So, a $60 charge for a few comments.

He didn't show much patience with me today. If I knew he was a great dentist, I wouldnt care if he had weird attitude, but I don't know anyone who's been to him. And the wisdom teeth situation disturbs me. Also, he didn't wear gloves to check my teeth today! Unfortunately I didn't notice this until he was removing his fingers from my mouth uugh. Then he goes and washes his hands. What do you make of that?!

This afternoon, I called one of the dentists listed on the LVI website - Dr. Chris Lang. His name came up under neuromuscular dentists, however, it turns out he's an orthodontist. He doesn't do extensive muscle testing. I've made an appointment but will likely cancel because I don't want to go the orthodontic route, which is likely what he'd do.

I got the name of another dentist off the American Academy of Carniofacial Pain website and called him this afternoon. The dentist came to the phone as the receptionist couldn't answer my questions. He was very nice and spent about 10 minutes talking to me. He asked if anyone had recommended physio (no one has). He thinks that could help. He recommended a friend of his, Dr. Gary Fortinsky, who is a dentist and a homeopath. He's into neuromuscular dentistry (don't know how much) and craniosacral therapy (anyone know about this and what it is???).

I don't know what to do next. Do I proceed with Dr. Sigesmund and hope for the best for me and my wisdom teeth? I really value all your opinions, so feel free to jump in with any comments or advice.

Sorry about the long post. See, Cheryl, and you thought you needed to vent today

Hope everyone is having a great day. Mine hasn't been so great.
Arleen

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Arleen