Lucy 25 - teeth not fitting together - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

kami-girl · 01-22-2004, 10:26 AM

Hi,
I have been in my lower splint for 6 mos with adjustments every 3 weeks. My app't last week left me somewhat dissappointed. My dentist told me that my jaw has moved down and forward enough with the splint and that I need not see him for 3 to 6 months. My problem is that I, like you am still in pain, my back teeth do not touch which makes it hard to eat, I still have brain fog and my neck and upper back muscles are in alot of spasm. He says that I have to get the spasms under control through posture and massage. I am currently going for trigger massage therapy which helps and I am pain free for about 6 hours after and then the pain is back. By the way my dentist did grind my lower front teeth a little which took me by surprise because he didn't say anything and just did it! I am going to continue with the splint in hopes that he is right and that it will just take more time.

Take care,

Grace

PINKYPRISCILLA · 01-22-2004, 10:42 AM

Humm
What does your splint look like?
I went every week to have my splint adjusted as my
jaw/bite changed.
I don't know if yours is different but 3-4 mos until you
see him again? I don't think so.
Secondly he shouldn't have done anything to your
teeth without asking/ or explaining why he needs to do
so in the first place.
WHen I had adjustments I would be in pain for a while
1/2 days then it would subside as the jaw moved.
However , I would assume he needs to see you more
frequently especailly if you are in pain

Pinky

Lucyfer · 01-22-2004, 10:44 AM

Lucy 25 - teeth not fitting together?

lucy25 · 01-22-2004, 02:10 PM

Hi Kami Girl - I think we might have different splints. Mine is an upper splint (NOT a mouthguard) that i am wearing to relax the muscles. I don't think we are trying to reposition anything. I know how you fell though. This ortho is really ******* me off! He seems to think that he should follow the same procedures with every patient. He says "splint therapy - 4 months and then onto phase 2". He said that he won't make anymore adjustments so I'm just going to keep wearing my splint until I KNOW that I am ready to move onto phase 2! Do you thin kanything is wrong with that? Will I cause any damage? I am also going to start massage therapy next week - VERY excited! Do you have real bad ear symtoms too? I don't know if I should be going back to an ENT or wait it out. I saw 2 ENTs before I was diagnosed. do you think I should go back now with my diagnosis to see if there is anything that he can do to help me? I can't stand taking my splint out because my teeth now only touch on the left outer side of my mouth! I guess that it is repositioning my jaw then right?! My jaw also clicks everytime I bite down without the splint, that is why I don't think filing them down is going to help - how will it stop the clicking??? Sorry for babbling....I just get excited when I can talk to someone about this because it is unfortunately my whole life right now. Thank you

Lucy

kami-girl · 01-22-2004, 09:27 PM

Hi,
My splint is what my dentist calls a neuromuscular orthotic. From what I understand it is supposed to have moved my jaw and set it into a relaxed (musclar )position. He did say that I have very little disc left and what is there is basically flattened and crumpled. So I guess that means that I may as well have no discs.
Yes, I do have the ear symptoms which I think drives me more crazy than anything else. I also have the cracking when I have the splint out.
According to my dentist, there is nothing wrong with wearing the splint until the muscles are comfortable in their new position. I don't know what I will do for phase 2. I am too old for braces, too broke for crowns etc, so I guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it.

Hope everyone is feeling good today!

Grace