NM dentist and orthodontist with different opinions - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

kcgirl · 08-18-2003, 04:17 PM

Hey you all! I have some questions. I went to see an orthodontist, after I have had braces two times already, andhe felt my jaw and its popping. He asked what type of symptoms I was having. I included the pain in jaw and around my ears, I said that my face felt tense all day and actually hurt on one side, and also explained the pain in fron of my R earlobe. He then had the nerve, without any tests, MRI, or tomograms, to say that I just needed to take alleve and try not to put myself into stressful situations. What!

Then I have heard positive and negatives view from various dentists regarding NM dentistry. One dentist actaully said it was in some form a hoax. What!

I have an appointment with a well known ortho in Omaha and was thinking of making an appointment with Dr. B in New Mexico as well. I am so confused and do not know what is the right thing to do.

As you all know, this is expensive. I am currently interviewing for a new job and finances are tough.

What have been your experiences with all the specialists you have seen. I would truly appreciate any feedback.

Thanks so much.

KC

DianeTMJ · 08-18-2003, 07:30 PM

Hi KC -
Oh KC, that is just awful, take Alleve and you will be okay? Geez, that what a couple of dentists said to me, but wrote me out heavy duty drug scrips.

KC, if there is one thing I know, there are two or three schools of though about NM. Their are those that think it is great idea, but are going a different directions with their practice or those that just do not like change, newer perhaps better ways to treat something.

If it were me, I would not even think about braces until I my TMJD was completely stablized. Even though you the NIH will say braces do not cause TMJD, there are some on the board that developed TMJD from braces. Boy if NM dentistry is a hoax, it a dang good one, sure has me fooled! I had over 35 symptoms two months ago, and have none today. Tee hee hee. All through NM dentistry. I saw 13 dentists before finding Dr B. If there is one thing I have found out in 2 year journey and seeing 13 dentists, they all had different opinions about me, about different fields of dentistry. I felt like I was a volleyball getting tossed here and there.
I hopt his helps -
Take care

[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 08-25-2003).]

kcgirl · 08-18-2003, 08:02 PM

Diane,

You are so sweet and completely inspiring! Just to feel that I am understood abuot my frustrations and concerns, is such a nice feeling.

I did e-mail Dr. Brookover and plan on calling his office in the morning. Have you seen any of his before/after photos of restorative work? I understand that restorative treatment follows stablizing my jaw. And I cannot wait to have muscles that are not sore, a face that is not tense and uncomfortable and a jaw that does not ache. I just want to be sure that after NM treatment, his restorative work looks natural because it will involve my front 6 teeth...ugh!

You mentioned that you are in a splint to stabilize first and then have a repositiong one after that. Why is that? Is it possible to have a repositioning splint from the beginning. I would be flying in from out of town and am curious of how many times I would be flying back to NM.

Thanks again for your ear and your information. I sure do appreciate it!

I am very happy that you are relieved of your syptoms and I thank you for your help and kindness.

KC

navy2 · 08-18-2003, 08:25 PM

Hi KC,

You and I have a lot in common. As a matter of fact I just got a call from Dr. Brookover and I mentioned one of your earlier posts about inquring about him. He said he's heard from you. I'll be flying to New Mexico in a few days. Dr. B will be spending all day with me (no other patients) and will do everything including the exam, neuro testing and getting me fitted for an orthodic. I will fly back over the weekend. Then my return is about 2 weeks later to get fitted for the orthodic and I will stay a day or two for a follow-up to make sure it feels right, etc. Then I'll wear it a few months before going back. At least that's the plan. Dr. B hasn't seen me yet, so, depending on my case, it could be a little different. Also, he did offer to try and get everything done in a week and send me home with the orthodic. It was my decision to come back the second time so that I could stay a few days after I got the orthodic and make sure it felt right. You know KC, with all the time and money I've spent going to PT, Chiro, dentists, etc. it really isn't that much more expensive spending money on airfare and going to someone like Dr. B that cares and has all the diagnostic equipment to evaluate and treat tmj. What difference does it make spending a couple of hundred dollars on airfare or giving it to someone for a consultation? Insurance pays no matter where you go for treatment and also there's always the dental fee plan, whereby you have 60 months to pay. Even at the total cost of treatment, that only comes to a little over $100 a month. So, there are ways to afford treatment. When I read about people saying they can't afford splints, etc, I want to tell them how to do it. I don't know about people out of the US though. KC, there are some reasonable hotels right by Dr. B's office. I got a really good deal on a rental car. I don't care about the money. To me, it's worth every penny. I'm so glad you talked to Dr. Brookhover. For the first time in almost 2 years, I feel like someone is going to take care of me and solve the reason for my tmj. Maybe then my tmj joint will behave and stop talking back to me!! haha! Best of luck to you! Navy

DianeTMJ · 08-18-2003, 08:39 PM

Hi KC!
KC, I just know the circle that we get stuck in, when trying to find out what the heck is wrong with you.

Let me know if you have any questions at all and I hope you have a pain free, sleepful night KC.
Take care
Diane

[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 10-12-2003).]