NTI Tension Suppression System? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

thbrown421 · 12-21-2004, 01:53 PM

I'd welcome comments/ideas on the following from any and all:

1. I've been researching middle ear myoclonus and its connection with TMJ. Given that I've had a complete neurotological workup with negative results, I can't rule out TMJ as a causitive factor in muscle/somatic tinnitus, right?

2. An accepted treatment for middle ear myoclonus/tinnitus is surgical sectioning of the stapedial and tensor tympani tendons. But would it be not be prudent to opt for a more conservative TMJ approach first, perhaps with the NTI Tension Suppression System?

3. I'm guessing that audiologists would tend to favor the surgical approach and not consider the possibility of a TMJ origin for the myoclonus and tinnitus. That's probably why I hesitate to go back to the neurotologist for "another round" of hearing tests, etc.

4. After reading more information on the NTI appliance, I'm afraid my "night guard" may be doing more harm than good, and may in fact have caused my current myoclonic tinnitus. I've worn it for years to prevent "grinding," and it's simply a molded guard which fits over my top teeth. But it may not prevent "clenching," which as I understand may be the real cause of headaches and other TMJ symptoms.

Any input greatly appreciated,
Tom

westin4 · 12-21-2004, 06:57 PM

Boy Tom, I can just give you advice based on my personal experience.

Once you have gotten a bite gaurd it is kind of like the chicken and the egg.....you know, which came first the tmj or the bite guard. They can help or they can cause it. I don't know of any instance in which a store bought appliance is ok for tmj.

Now, that being said, I don't know if an NTI is your answer either. I had an Nti and it made me SO much worse. I have had 8 splints and more dentists than that. The one I am going to now has finally hit upon my problem. I need my back molars to rest on something, while my four front teeth don't touch the splint at all. Now, all these years everyone has had me on those front teeth. It could have been the answer in the beginning but after wearing the NTI I develped an open bite in the back and it has been pure heck trying to get this under control.

Surgery?? NO, that is not an option if all avenues of tmj treatment have not been tried. I mean you might find one that will agree to do it, but surgery will probably only open pandora's box as far as tmj goes.

It is VERY difficult to find a good tmj dentist. Anyone can call themselves a "tmj specialist" but one that can really treat it and also most important is one with an open mind. One that believes in the pain that comes with it and one that believes all of the symptoms. It is much to common to find one who can make a splint but then they fall flat because they don't know how to fit it and adjust it. It is really a trial and error process. There is NO fix all for tmj, there just isn't.

I really wish you the best on this endeavor of trying to start getting things under way. Please come and post so we can all keep up on what is going on and hopefully offer tips and advice and most important a lending ear.

Karen

thbrown421 · 12-21-2004, 10:09 PM

Hi, Karen:
Thanks for your kind response. I can see this is going to take a lot more research and thought before I decide on the next step!

I appreciate your offer to come and post here, and will do so.

Thanks again,
Tom

westin4 · 12-21-2004, 10:27 PM

Glad to be of any help, Tom. I have suffered with this for 14 years. The last few being the worst of my life. I am just getting to the point of being really good again, and it has been a loooong battle. I have been to the dentist 48 times since March. He had me coming in twice a week most weeks to adjust and check my bite. He also started me on a pain management schedule. I am just tellin' ya so you know it can be a heck of an effort to get things under control. Now, I have a chronic case and have developed chronic pain/muscle spasms. I am sure you can get treated and avoid my situation.......I just want you to know I DO understand how hard this all is.

Glad to see you here. These boards are a WEALTH of info! I come here everyday and visit several of the topics.

Karen

Michelle99 · 12-22-2004, 05:16 AM

I am a big fan of NTI for pain reduction, but I have to say I've never heard of it being used for the problems you describe. If it were absolutely risk free, I would say it's worth a try, but there is always the risk that your bite relationship will change. You have to decide if it's a risk you are willing to take.

You are right that a traditional mouth guard can allow you to clench more forcefully. It gives you more surface to chomp down on.

Good luck to you.