national institute of health - neuromusuclar dentistry not effective - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

saaraah · 07-31-2003, 01:00 PM

today i went to an appointment with my long time dentist who's been treating me for almost 10 years. i had gone to ask for muscle relaxants, and to get his opinion on neuromuscular dentistry.

when i brought it up, you should've seen the look on his face. to make a long story short, he does not believe in it, and thinks that it is deterimental and ineffective. it's a completely different philosophy than what he believes in.

also, he said that many studies and the national institute of health have all demonstrated that neuromuscular dentistry and repositioning splints are not effective. since it's irreversible [which i was not aware of], it should only be used as a last resort and even then it's worrisome.

i really respect my long-time doctor because he's a medical doctor, dentist, and periodontist. he's a very smart guy.. ugh. he's never been opposed to me to seeing other health professionals, so i know that's not his initiative.

bah! i am so confused and upset. now, i dont know if i should cancel my appointment with dr. rondeau because i sure as hell dont want to spend thousands of dollars on an irreversible treatment.

so far, im thinking that i'll go for the diagnostic assessment, and see what he says.. maybe..

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, and if anyone has any references to studies conducted with neuromuscular dentistry, i'd love to see them.

jimmyt7 · 07-31-2003, 01:15 PM

i am probably going to have to see one soon but i dont know if i want a repositioning splint. just one that can relax my jaw and ease my muscle tension. i dont know, its very scary having tmj and i sure dont want any irreversible treatment unless i have no choice. sucks big time having this horrible condition. i rather get cancer or get shot in the arm.

totallyconfused · 07-31-2003, 01:35 PM

Saaraah,

I agree completely with not wanting an irreversible treatment. I keep asking my dentist to make absolutely sure this splint will not permanently change my jaw position. He says as long as I keep taking it out to eat it will not. Now how long I could keep it up like that I don't know. Initially, he had said 6 months.

Good luck with your decision. I know it is a hard one.
TC

DianeTMJ · 07-31-2003, 02:38 PM

Wow Saarah -
That is disappointing. Especially since my neuromuscular dentist has completly reversed my symptoms. I know that the other splint I had from my 12th dentist certainly did not work.
I think that each much find what works for them, mine happened to be Neuromusuclar dentistry.
Thanks for information though
Diane
PS here the symptoms I use to have and no longer have:
Fullness in right ear
Ringing in the ear
Pain in the ear
Pain, right side of my face,
Numbness right side of face, running down jaw line to right corner of lip.
Shoulder/neck pain
Dizziness
Vertigo – queasy stomach when that happens, not an upset stomach, just queasy.
Eye Pain
Sensitive to light
Sensitive to noise
Droopy eye, right eye
Headaches, forehead, all over head
What I thought were sinus headaches
Ghost tooth pain, back upper right, sometimes spreading to lower back teeth but not as strong.
Right lymph feeling swollen
Crackling sound in ear
Crackling sound in neck
Watery eye – right one only
Blood shot eye, right one only
Problems with vision in right eye
Temple area pain.
Soft food diet as eating hard things really irritates and makes symptoms worse
Jitters – controlled by no longer taking tylenol

[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 07-31-2003).]

DianeTMJ · 07-31-2003, 03:01 PM

Hi Saraah

Saraah, Oh shoot. I just want to also let you know there is great debate in Canada over regular dentists and neuromuscular dentists. There is a professor at one of the leading schools in Canada that just simply does not believe in that form of help for TMJD. I am not saying that you should not believe your dentist, but it is also important to understand there is always positive and negatives for any treatment. If there is one thing that I found out in my long journey to finally find help and relief, each dentist(13 of them before my NM Dentist) is going to preach about there treatment plans and downplay other branches of dentistry. I will go to the National Institute and find out the articles that are available about NM dentistry.
When I find the information I will let you know. I am so sorry you received this bad news today Saarah
Diane