Did you have orthodontic work after surgery? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Michelle W · 09-22-2003, 09:32 AM

I was wondering if those of your who had surgery were placed in a splint after your surgery or had orthodontic work.

I had bilateral arthroplasty in March 2003. My disc were placed in the correct position and pinned with titanium rod. I was placed on a liquid diet for two weeks until I had a new splint made. I was then on a soft diet for close to two months. I have been wearing my splint 24/7 since surgery.

I need to have orthodontic work to correct my bite, but I have not started it because I am not pain free. I am still having splint adjustments trying to get comfortable. It has been a frustrating process for me. I would like to hear about your post op treatment.

Literati · 09-22-2003, 01:40 PM

Just wondering...how pain free do you have to be? If its your bite that is causing your myofacial pain, your chances of being pain free are slim. At least, that was how it was explained to me. I don't mean to sound like a downer...I'm just saying that "pain-free" sounds a bit too optimistic. If they said something like "we can put braces on when your symptoms are somewhat minimal"...then that would make sense. Just my 2 cents.

Michelle W · 09-22-2003, 02:10 PM

Hello,

I was told that my symptoms should be minimal or none before I start with the lower arch of braces. The orthodontist explained to me that moving my teeth around will cause some discomfort, so I need to be comfortable in my splint prior to starting the braces. He also told me that the splint I am now wearing is suppose to simulate the bite that I will have after treatment with the braces. In his opinion or what I think he is telling me is if I can't get you comfortable in the splint then how do I know what to change on your bite. I hope maybe I explained this better. Did you have any orthodontic work done?

OHJELJ · 09-22-2003, 03:10 PM

Hey there...I had arthroscopy done on both sides of my jaw back in 1994. Had braces for two years following the procedure. My teeth didn't touch after wearing splints for two years! I had to wait for six months following my procedure to allow things to settle a bit before they would touch me. I also had to have one tooth pulled, but they wouldn't touch a molar due to making my bite unstable. They pulled one of my front teeth so now I no longer have a center line in the front. It was awful for a few weeks...looked like a poster child for the tooth fairy!

My teeth are in great shape though and following a second arthroscopy in March of this year...they decided that my bite was still perfect from the braces. It was the best thing I ever did!

Hope this helps! The slower they go with braces, and the more conservative they are, the better off you'll be in the long term!

Good luck,
Jennifer

Michelle W · 09-22-2003, 03:46 PM

OHJELJ,

I am curious why you had to have a second arthroplasty? I am glad to hear you are doing well, because it gives me hope.