Hi!! I was hoping to find some guidance here about my splint. I have been wearing a splint meant to allow my muscles to rest and that brings my jaw forward a little for about 4 months.
These are some of the symptoms I had before I started splint therapy:
-Temporal headaches and headaches over the eyes for many years
-Tinnitus constant so far doesn't change frequency
-Ears "crackle" when swallowing and yawning
-Some neck pain/tightness and crackling
-Middle back and shoulder blades also hurt at times
-Knees ache at times and this is fairly recent
-All of my joints pop with certain movements-possibility of lax ligaments
Symptoms of the TM joints
-Left joint pops upon opening wide (my opening was 50mm with subluxation--has possibly closed up a little with exercise, but still have probable subluxation)
-Left joint clicks usually when opening
-Left joint clunks upon closing (usually--sometimes twice on closing)
-Left joint clunks when move to the side (lateral movement 10mm)
-Both joints clunk at times when I move my bottom jaw forward
Recent symptoms most like attributed to TMJD
-Left joint (and once right) clicks when I talk at times, and sometimes when I swallow
-Ears "ache" at times
-Back teeth "ache" at times
-A couple times have had very heavy pulling feeling in jaw, ear, neck area--worst was after having my mouth open for a long time for fillings.
New since orthotic for TM joints:
-Right joint is popping/clicking when opening and at times when chewing. (Didn't happen before the splint.)
-Right joint is clicking much more often when I talk
-Sometimes when I eat it sounds like my ear is softly popping every time I open my mouth even a little bit--I'm assuming may be the joint
-Occassional fluttering in the ear like ear spasms
-Ear closed up on me one day (only once so far)
Sorry for the long list. I was hoping to get some opinions. My dentist is leading me to believe that he has done about all he can do. He recently took my splint and widened the tooth contacts in order to allow my jaw more freedom and to let the jaw reposition itself if the muscles wanted it to. As I have already been in this splint this long--24/7, only out for meals I have been scared to wear the splint the new way. I have taken it out--for the first time ever for about 14 hours now. I am trying to see how I will do. Does anyone have any opinions about whether or not I should continue to wear this splint. With the exception of the occassional jaw heaviness (which had only started a couple weeks before I saw the TMJ dentist and may have ended on it's own) I have had no symptom relief that I can tell. Recently my headaches had been a tad bit better, but I am seeing other professionals for that as well.
Any advice. So sorry this is so long. Thank you for any help.
Sara
[This message has been edited by jawpain (edited 08-21-2003).]
I'm sorry that you're having trouble with all of this. You've come to the right place, everyone here is filled with knowledge and so kind! Unfortunately, I don't have any advice to offer but I'm sure that others will.
Cheryl
HI Jawpain and welcome!! Wow, your situation sounds a little like mine. I am also in splint therapy but seeing no positive results--at least nothing that I can tell. I wish you the very best of luck. Are you going to try to use the splint again? Maybe one of the other members can tell you about the splint designs that let you move your teeth or jaw around. I understand your concern. Like you I am concerned that months of wearing a splint could permanently change my jaw position even though, initially my dentist ASSURED me it would not.
Good luck,
TC
[This message has been edited by totallyconfused (edited 08-21-2003).]
I am sorry to hear that you're having so many problems. I can't really address your question about the newest adjustment your dentist did to your splint, as I currently only have nightguards, but I do know that if they aren't adjusted properly it can cause all sorts of additional problems.
There are a number of people on the board who've used splints, so hopefully some of them will respond and be able to help you.
Thank you Cheryl, Arleen and TC for your replies. I was really wondering if you, or anyone else thinks it is best to just leave the splint out and perhaps try another route or to go to another dentist, or if I should try wearing it again. I am just afraid that I could end up with a permanent change in my jaw position which might not be the best position for the joints. Any advice? Again, thanks for caring enough to reply. It means a lot.
Splint advice 
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