Cymy Sue

Hello Carmaanne,

I have not had implants, but considered it several times, going back to the days of Vitek's. I had a surgeon at that time who had already seen some problems with these and I was spared.

There have been many discussions redarding implants going back several years.
You can use the "Search" feature at the top right of the page next to Home and use terms such as Implants, the name of the kind you are considering, TMJ Surgeries, etc., and should get a lot of threads and long discussions.

Please remember that the majority of people who would come to our support group, have had problems. I'm afraid most of the successes with Implants have no need for further information or support.

I have had several surgeries starting in the 80's with Orthognathic's and the last in 97 being a Bilateral Discectomy. During this time, I did speak to and was referred to surgeons regarding bilateral implants and even a total prosthesis.

I know I'm not who you would need to speak to regarding your questions. I did want to ask if you have been told about the risks involved and the possibility of more pain.

I did speak with surgeons who were bluntly honest regarding the outcome and that was the reason I decided against this option for myself when my cartilage grafts failed and had the discectomy. The surgeon I spoke to at this time, regarding Implants, wanted to do a Total Prosthesis. My replacement disc were shredded, my condyles (one permanently dislocated from a prior surgery) are referred to as looking like toothpicks and he thought I had maybe a year left until the bones snapped. He told me that with a Total, I would have better function, but most likely an increase in pain.
I could still eat and talk, so I declined. He was wrong about the condyles breaking. They are still intact.

I had the Disectomy and it does take a very long time to get well. I was not put into a splint to help support my joints and get the muscles back to normal, so 5 years later, I was still trying to recover.

I went back to my Discectomy Surgeon, and ask for Implants or a Total, I didn't think I could live with it anymore and was turned down due to prior damage, age, (50) multiple surgeries, fragile bone, etc. I was told again, that this would only create more pain and problems.

I do believe the surgeon who had wanted to do it in 96, would have done it for me, regardless of the outcome. I took the advice of the Surgeon I knew better. I believed he did have my best interest in mind.
Last year, I did get the correct splint for a multi-surgical and now am doing incredibly well for someone with my history.

I realize from your other post that you do have a good deal more damage than I have and may not have the option to try something else.

I just wanted to tell you of my experience and to tell you to be very sure to get as much information as possible from the surgeon regarding what he expects the outcome to be. I've found in most cases, if you ask point blank about possible ongoing problems and more pain or any of the risks involved, the majority of them will tell you.

As with all surgeries for TMJ problems and in trying to replace the disc or the entire joint, the risks are always a consideration. I'm sure you already know this to be true.

I do hope you will look at some of the discussions on the board. We do have some members who have had a similar history as you and I hope someone who does have the experience to answer your questions will come along. I do wish you the very best,

Cymy Sue

I did have one last thought. I don't know how extensive your damage is after having the other removed, but you mentioned arthritis. The splint that has helped me return to the "living" is based on a design for people with disc and joints destroyed by rheumatoid and osteo arthritis. I have no disc and very little left in the condyle dept. Also, my joint structure is abnormal (since birth they think) I was told that people with some pretty severe arthritis and damage
were getting relief with these splints. I just thought I would mention this, just in case no one had suggested it. I think it is a relatively new concept for arthritic and surgically damaged joints. I had never heard of a splint helping with this type of damage until I ask.