HUGE Setback. :( Need Advice - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

MSUGuy02 · 06-24-2004, 10:45 PM

Hello everyone,

I went back to my old orthodontist, who had previously prepped me for orthognathic surgery and did all the "lining up" of my teeth. He had given me a bite splint 2 months ago that totally made my pain worse and since he doesn't communicate with his patients, or know their names for that matter, he never told me that he was going to adjust it incrementally.

So in the meanwhile, I go to his office today after I've seen this new specialist and I'm really torn because all he did was insult and disregard the new specialist. I understand where he's coming from because he probably didn't like the fact I looked elsewhere for treatment, but this orthodontist is the biggest jerk and not enough words could go to explain the extent of his ego and lack of bedside manner for his patients.

Anyways... he gave me an altametum. I either wear his splint and let him do the adjustments or just go back to the other specialist and disregard what he wants to do. What I really want to do is just go back to the specialist because he actually CARED about me and the splint was really helping. But, the one thing I don't want to sacrifice is all the work and surgery that went into correcting my bite and jaw alignment. It sounds dumb, but I went through so much and don't want to risk it.

But now I'm thinking, I know what being in less pain feels like and I LOVE IT! I could sleep better, had no back problems, and my dizziness decreased. I'm just so confused

and I don't know what to do. My orthodontist said that my new bitesplint (that the new specialist made) was messing up my bite royally and I would lose all the work he had done.

I just don't know what to do/say/think anymore.... he made my specialist sound like a quack, although I've never felt more secure about being under someone's care as much as this guy.

Agh...

sorry for the long post. Any suggestions??

Take Care,
Andy

beach_tiglet · 06-25-2004, 07:54 AM

I agree with Heidi...when I trust my instinct, I end up making the correct decision as far as doctors go. I had one doctor that was such a jerk, but I thought that maybe it was me at first. Fortunately, my husband was there to hear everything and confirmed my instincts about the guy. When I saw my PCP, he also confirmed my instinct and referred my to someone who did the same specialty who was wonderful. My PCP did me a huge favor that day in telling me that I was the consumer and that if my questions weren't being answered and I wasn't comfortable with any doctor, leave them. He also said that if I asked him, he would make sure that I was referred to the best available specialists so that this wouldn't happen again. He has held true to his word, I don't know what I'd do without him. Too bad he doesn't know anything about dentists, he could have saved me a lot of anguish there.

Any doctor that gives you an ultimatum like that is insecure and a jerk. He could have explained why he felt you needed to choose one treatment or the other if he felt they were contradicting each other. That isn't the problem, he felt threatened. If it were me, I would ask the specialist what the "bleep" was going on and get his take on it, especially since you trust him. Tell him you feel better with him and are responding to his treatment, but are conflicted because of all of the work done with the surgery and stuff. Who knows, maybe he can refer you to an orthodontist that gives a flip. Sometimes certain doctors just have personality conflicts, maybe that's happening here. Sometimes doctors are just jerks, sounds like your ortho is one.

I'm glad you're getting some relief...I wouldn't want to give that up either. Don't let him intimidate you. You are paying him.

TiffanyAnn · 06-25-2004, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSUGuy02

Hello everyone,

I went back to my old orthodontist, who had previously prepped me for orthognathic surgery and did all the "lining up" of my teeth. He had given me a bite splint 2 months ago that totally made my pain worse and since he doesn't communicate with his patients, or know their names for that matter, he never told me that he was going to adjust it incrementally.

So in the meanwhile, I go to his office today after I've seen this new specialist and I'm really torn because all he did was insult and disregard the new specialist. I understand where he's coming from because he probably didn't like the fact I looked elsewhere for treatment, but this orthodontist is the biggest jerk and not enough words could go to explain the extent of his ego and lack of bedside manner for his patients.

Anyways... he gave me an altametum. I either wear his splint and let him do the adjustments or just go back to the other specialist and disregard what he wants to do. What I really want to do is just go back to the specialist because he actually CARED about me and the splint was really helping. But, the one thing I don't want to sacrifice is all the work and surgery that went into correcting my bite and jaw alignment. It sounds dumb, but I went through so much and don't want to risk it.

But now I'm thinking, I know what being in less pain feels like and I LOVE IT! I could sleep better, had no back problems, and my dizziness decreased. I'm just so confused

and I don't know what to do. My orthodontist said that my new bitesplint (that the new specialist made) was messing up my bite royally and I would lose all the work he had done.

I just don't know what to do/say/think anymore.... he made my specialist sound like a quack, although I've never felt more secure about being under someone's care as much as this guy.

Agh...

sorry for the long post. Any suggestions??

Take Care,
Andy

Hi Andy:
The best advice I can give you is to follow your own gut instincts. If this second guy you saw inspired trust and what he had to say sounded credible I personally would weigh that highly in making my decision. There is nothing more dangerous in my personal opinion than an arrogant

dentist or doctor who thinks they KNOW IT ALL! You said the splint the second guy made you is really helping, that should also weigh into your decision. I value what my gut instinct tells me very highly. If it is telling me that the doctor/dentist is feeding me a line of garbage and I am feeling extremely uneasy about their plan of treatment then I find someone else to treat me. What I have learned in life is that my gut instincts do NOT lie unlike so called specialists!
Tiffany

Katie G · 06-28-2004, 12:03 PM

Hi there andy - so sorry for what you're going through. I agree 100% with the other posters. If your gut tells you the 2nd guy is doing the right thing, and the first one is such a jerk, then stay with the 2nd one. If the first one is so threatened by you finding another opinion and different treatment, then he isn't worth seeing anymore. Don't worry about hurting his feelings - just think of the time, money, effort, and trust you gave him with minimal results.

If your pain levels are down from the 2nd treatment, then by all means, stick with what helps YOU.

Good luck and keep us posted,
Katie G