When to get help and where to go??? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

indy gal · 07-06-2003, 03:31 PM

About 3 years ago I went to a ear,nose and throat doctor with an earache, and he mentioned that I could have TMJ, but I never did anything about it. I have been a cronic teeth clencher for at least 4 years, and I had night guards made, but I never decided to make the investment to have TMJ or my clenching looked at.

Now I am having major problems with my teeth, and I am thinking that maybe I need to get this TMJ thing checked out. But, I don't know what kind of doctor to go to. There are so many posts here... too many to go through. So please help!

1. When did you decide that your TMJ problems were serious enough to go seek treatment?
2. What kind of doctor is it best to go to?
3. Have you had to pay out of your pocket for these expenses, or does insurance cover any of it?

I'd appreciate your replies. I really don't know what to do at this point.

SarahLovesChris · 07-06-2003, 04:13 PM

I decided that I should get this stuff checked out as soon as I found out I might have it. My symptoms are : jaw popping, clenching, HEADACHES, muscle aches, difficulty chewing. I didn't really know much about TMJD because there is so little info about it.

As for your other question, I paid for my inital consultation, which was $250.00. I know it sounds like a lot, but it really isn't. Peace of mind, knowing that I have a problem, and that I can do something about it really helps mentally. My insurance covers 80% of cost as long as my doctor gives me a letter saying my TMJD is a developmental problem (i.e. my jaw bone did not grow as much as it should)

As for what kind of doctor to see... I would recommend a TMJD specialist. I found mine off the american acadamy of craniofacial pain.

I picked someone that practices 100% TMJD related. I am so happy with my doctor. I went to get a second opinion (which I also recommed, even if you just go to a regular dentist)

Do as much research if you can. People will try to tell you things that are not true. Most dentist do not know how to treat a TMJD problem. It is not a dental problem, it is a problem with your joint.

Be careful and good luck!

Sarah

[Edited to remove website with advertising.]

[This message has been edited by Well-come (edited 07-07-2003).]

TiffanyAnn · 07-06-2003, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by indy gal:

There are so many posts here... too many to go through. So please help!

1. When did you decide that your TMJ problems were serious enough to go seek treatment?
2. What kind of doctor is it best to go to?
3. Have you had to pay out of your pocket for these expenses, or does insurance cover any of it?

I'd appreciate your replies. I really don't know what to do at this point.

Hi:
I've had TMJ for about 23 or 24 years. I didn't go looking for treatment for it until about 3 years ago when the pain began to get too much to bear.

I looked for a dentist or orthodontist who has had training and experience treating patients with TMJ. I finally found an orthodontist who treats TMJ. He is making me a splint which should arrive in the next week or so. Once my TMJ gets stabilized I will most likely go into braces.

I have had to pay all the costs out of pocket because my insurance will not cover the cost of TMJ treatment. Some on the board have been able to get their insurance to cover some of the cost of treatment though.
Tiffany

CherylLynn24 · 07-06-2003, 10:24 PM

Hi There,

I'm here due to my young Son having these problems which appeared during orthodontics. I've had him all but looked under a microscope...his constant headache, and ear problems made me start looking quickly. From what I understand, you can have a bit of a variety of people to treat your TMJD. Some find help through a TMJD specialist, a dentist, an orthodontist, an OS, a Neuromuscular dentist, etc... Just make sure they're knowledgeable on this subject. As for the insurance end of it, we've been quite fortunate, his claims are filed under Myofacial Pain Dysfunction, which is considered medical. Hope this helps.
Take Care,
Cheryl

Anastasia · 07-06-2003, 11:14 PM

hi indy gal

where are you from? i'm in Ontario so OHIP covers alot of my medical stuff like x-rays, CT scans, etc. as for your questions, phone your dentist and ask if he/she can diognose TMJd, if yes, do you have coverage? i'm a student. my mother's insurance wouldn't cover TMJds but my father's did. if you don't have coverage your first night guard will cost you about $250. CDN. that would be about 150 American. i also was seeing an ENT but unfortunatly mine mentioned nothing about TMJd. he said it was all in my head! i was diognosed about 4 weeks ago and have been wearing my NTI for 3 weeks. hope this helps you out a little.

Anastasia

Sarah: hows your spacey feeling doing?