hi, i need advice please - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

sarah1234 · 09-18-2003, 11:39 AM

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me advice about my situation.

I have a few problems with my jaw, and i think that the problems started when i dislocated my jaw a few years ago, although over the past year or so they seem to have gotten worse.

The main problem with my jaw is that very often my jaw seems uncomfortable and kinda out of place, then i move my jaw and it clicks quite loudly and violently and my jaw will then be fine, but in the next 15 minutes it will feel the same way again, and i have make it click back again.
Also, when my jaw is at rest, it seems a little bit out of place, i mean that when i close my top and bottom teeth together, they dont fit together properly since my top jaw seems to be stuck to the left a bit.

When I dislocated my jaw at first, i managed to click it back into place properly, but looking back on it, i should have maybe got help about it because now it is quite a problem.

I went to the doctor about this problem a few months ago, and he said that it didnt seem to be much of a problem, but he said i could go to see the dentist for further help if i wanted.

I would really appreciate any advice, thanks

PINKYPRISCILLA · 09-18-2003, 01:37 PM

I would get an evaluation from a dentist who specializes
in tmj diagnosis and treatment. Good Luck

sarah1234 · 09-18-2003, 02:16 PM

thanks for your reply, i'll make an appointment with a dentist tomorrow

RobynRose · 09-18-2003, 03:45 PM

Hi Sarah...
I know what you are describing (too well I'm afraid).
This is exactly what happens to me... though it's not always very easy to get the jaw back where it belongs.
For me, I believe the ligaments are lax, and the joint has now become unstable...or "hypermobile". I have similar issues with other joings (my spine - my shoulder, neck etc.). Some of us are predisposed to hypermobility through our genes. You can do some research on "hypermobility syndrome" - which is a rheumatologic/genetic condition that often results in chronic pain. It seems the tmjs are frequently one of the joints impacted - perhaps because it so frequently used - and is quite complex in its function.

Currently I'm working with a nm dentist trying to calm down some of the muscle spasm that has occurred -due to the loose joint. This is likely why you seem to be able to adjust the jaw...get relief...and then in 15 minutes it all starts again. The muscles go into spasm in effort to gaurd the unstable joint...and try to stabilize it.

I wish I knew the answer for us both.....
Best of Luck... and keep in touch.

RR

sarah1234 · 09-19-2003, 02:19 PM

Thanks for your reply Robyn. Your explanation seemed to describe very well what is happening to my jaw.
I am going to see the dentist about it, and i was wondering what the dentist can do about my problem? When I went to the doctor about my jaw(although i now know that i should have seen the dentist instead), i was basically told that i just happened to have a clicking jaw, and that it's nothing to worry about.
But my jaw is uncomfortable, and it's constantly bothering me, and most of the time it feels quite sore and tense, especially if i'm under stress.