Cymy Sue

Emma,

I think you're right. Sounds like you were doing the guiding and this person is not very experienced with TMJ problems. Many experienced Dentist can tell if the disc is displaced or displacing by examination. They can feel it or see it when you open and close. If this is suspected then tests are in order to confirm and to see how bad. An MRI is normally used to look at the disc and a Tomogram to look at the entire joint structure. Different Doctors/Dentists prefer different methods. Some like to do both plus panarex X-rays to get a complete picture of your condition.

Filing down teeth many times causes incredible problems. It can be done, but has to be done with extreme precision and a person with a great deal of experience. I would be concerned with his statement of it possibly causing further problems. Most Dentists of Specialist who would do this, would only grind off a very, very, slight amount and would be very confident that it would be helpful.

Many Dentist and others in this field list as TMJ Specialists and they do not have the experience to treat. You have to be very careful.

I don't remember the cost of my last tomogram, it's been several years. I think some other members have had them done recently and could help you with that information.

NTI's are helpful for many people and are the least expensive route in most cases. There are reports of them causing open bites and sometimes they just do not work for some people. I think many times, they're made too thick and this may be some of the problem. Some dentists are making them a little thinner now, than when they were first introduced and this may be better.

I do think another opinion would be a good idea. I know it does get expensive.
If you're not in major pain, maybe you could look around for a while and find someone more quailified to help you, so at least your money will be well spent.

If you live near a teaching hospital, a University-Hospital type complex, you might could go to the Dental School, get the tests you need and the expense would be far less. You wouldn't have to stay with them for treatment if you didn't feel comfortable, but you would have a diagnosis and information to take to someone experienced to help you.

Cymy Sue