New to TMJ - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

LauraLu · 07-03-2004, 03:00 PM

I apologize in advance...I'm sure these questions have been asked countless times. I have just been diagnosed with TMJ, and have some questions. Do splints really work? How long does one need to wear them? Is wearing it at night enough for some relief? Can they be easily removed? I'm so clueless and would rather ask you kind folks them a doctor. I guess I just worry about other people noticing something on my mouth...I'm a 22 year old female, so I guess I am a bit vain. But I would pretty much do anything right now to avoid this horrible pain. Thanks for listening, and any advice is much appreciated.

sunflower22 · 07-03-2004, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LauraLu

I apologize in advance...I'm sure these questions have been asked countless times. I have just been diagnosed with TMJ, and have some questions. Do splints really work? How long does one need to wear them? Is wearing it at night enough for some relief? Can they be easily removed? I'm so clueless and would rather ask you kind folks them a doctor. I guess I just worry about other people noticing something on my mouth...I'm a 22 year old female, so I guess I am a bit vain. But I would pretty much do anything right now to avoid this horrible pain. Thanks for listening, and any advice is much appreciated.

Well Lauralu I can help out cause I have TMJ also and I am also a female and 22 years. As far as splints go for them to work it has to be made right and fit right and the doctor has to know what there doing. Some people wear splints the rest of there life and others don't but once you have TMJ it's with you the rest of your life there is no cure the only thing is good treatment. Some people wear splints 24/7 which is prouble best so it will keep muscls relaxed. People might see the splint in youur mouth if they wounder just tell them then they will understand. I don't have a splint yet but sometime prouble be getting one.
Sunflower22

TiffanyAnn · 07-03-2004, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LauraLu

I apologize in advance...I'm sure these questions have been asked countless times. I have just been diagnosed with TMJ, and have some questions. Do splints really work? How long does one need to wear them? Is wearing it at night enough for some relief? Can they be easily removed? I'm so clueless and would rather ask you kind folks them a doctor. I guess I just worry about other people noticing something on my mouth...I'm a 22 year old female, so I guess I am a bit vain. But I would pretty much do anything right now to avoid this horrible pain. Thanks for listening, and any advice is much appreciated.

Hi LauraLu and welcome to the board

Splints can work very well for people but it's not always easy to find the right specialist. In order for a splint to work it has to be made to fit your teeth and your problem perfectly. But splints can definitely work. I was in a splint for about 10 or 11 months and my symptoms disappears almost completely. I am now in phase ll and doing very well. The time that a person has to wear a splint is also individual but it's usually a good idea to wear them at least 6 months. And a person should be a minimum of 6 months pain free before moving onto phase ll. Some people wear their splint only at night but most are required to wear it more than just at night. In my case I wore it full time for the first few months then I went to nights only. Splints can be removed very easily. Splints are made out of clear acrylic, they can be seen because they cover the teeth. Mine is pretty thick so that makes it kind of visible but it's clear. I decided that my comfort was more important than what others thought though. I hope I have answered your questions. If you have further questions please feel free to ask. I am always happy to help out and offer encouragement.
Tiffany

Thelma-Louise · 07-03-2004, 08:59 PM

I don't have splints yet but am also ready to go to them since I am starting to think they may be my only hope. When you weigh the pros and cons of pain vs no pain and toss a bit of vanity into the mix I think most of us would opt for no more pain. I too was initially upset when one dentist told me I may have to wear them for the rest of my life - gee...and I thought 3 years of braces in my early twenties was too long! I'm in my forties now and although I have only had tmj for the last 4 months I never thought I would be wearing splints which is probably why I have resisted until recently. But I keep telling myself as long as I have no pain and am relatively healthy I am not going to care what people think.