Nti - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Michelle99 · 04-16-2004, 10:24 AM

I feel so bad when I read about negative experiences with NTI, because I know it has the potential to help a lot of people. It seems like some dentists think it's easier to use than it is and are doing more harm than good.

I think that in addition to the other questions you ask your dentist before getting treatment, you may want to add:

1) What training have you had specifically for NTI?, and

2) If you have trouble with my case, whom are you going to ask for help?

If you don't get the answers you want, you may not have the dentist that's best for you.

If you are anything like me, you get scared if you start TMD treatment and feel worse instead of better. You want to quit what you are doing and move on to something else. It's important to try to resist that urge with NTI and give the dentist a chance to help. Of course if things go on and on, you need to seek help elsewhere, but it's best to choose a dentist you trust enough to give some time to work things out.

I hope this helps people who may be considering NTI treatment. There are risks as with any treatment. I don't see it as magic or a miracle. I still have days that aren't so great, but basically I'm eating whatever I want and living a normal life.

Take care everyone.

klmarshall · 04-16-2004, 01:17 PM

Howdy Michelle!
My TMJ doc said that NTI may work for some and be wonderful, but the problem with me was a misdiagnosis by the doc who gave it to me. He was able to explain the logic behind NTI and it sounded good and he gave me literature. Probem was he decided my problem was muscular only, not a displaced condyle without reduction. I eventually got to the NTI site and found that it is not a treatment for MY condition. If I had everything to do over, I would follow my gut feeling. When my jaw locked shut, I would have found a doctor who gave me a logical reason, Which is what my good doc did. Take care -Gabi

Michelle99 · 04-16-2004, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klmarshall

Howdy Michelle!
My TMJ doc said that NTI may work for some and be wonderful, but the problem with me was a misdiagnosis by the doc who gave it to me. He was able to explain the logic behind NTI and it sounded good and he gave me literature. Probem was he decided my problem was muscular only, not a displaced condyle without reduction. I eventually got to the NTI site and found that it is not a treatment for MY condition. If I had everything to do over, I would follow my gut feeling. When my jaw locked shut, I would have found a doctor who gave me a logical reason, Which is what my good doc did. Take care -Gabi

Hi Gabi,

I'm glad you found a doctor to help you. My philosophy is whatever works for you is what you should do. The first time I was treated, I had a traditional mandibular flat plane splint, and my symptoms resolved for many years.

I write about NTI because I get frustrated at what I perceive to be a lack of knowledge by some of the doctors who use it. I'm afraid there are people who have received an NTI without the appropriate level of support and have had failure when they could have had success.

I don't think that doctors realize what it's like to have a condition that has so many different treatment philosophies attached to it. When their pet treatment doesn't work, it's not because of them. It's because their patients have emotional issues. Let them be in pain every day of their lives and see what kind of emotional issues they develop.

OK. I'll stop my rant. I just want people to know that all NTIs are not created equal. It takes the right doctor to get the right results.

Best wishes.

TiffanyAnn · 04-16-2004, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michelle99

Hi Gabi,

I don't think that doctors realize what it's like to have a condition that has so many different treatment philosophies attached to it. When their pet treatment doesn't work, it's not because of them. It's because their patients have emotional issues. Let them be in pain every day of their lives and see what kind of emotional issues they develop.

OK. I'll stop my rant. I just want people to know that all NTIs are not created equal. It takes the right doctor to get the right results.

Best wishes.

OMG, you're so right. Make these doctors or their beloved families live in the kind of pain we have been in and see if they don't become emotional. The reason we become emotional is it is PERSONAL to us.
Tiffany

Michelle99 · 04-16-2004, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiffanyAnn

OMG, you're so right. Make these doctors or their beloved families live in the kind of pain we have been in and see if they don't become emotional. The reason we become emotional is it is PERSONAL to us.
Tiffany

Did you ever see that movie "The Doctor"? It's about a doctor that gets cancer, and he finds out what it's like to a patient. I think it should be required viewing for anyone entering a health care profession.