Well, I finally found a doctor about an hour away in Los Angeles. He seemed much more knowledgeable than the other doctors..however, I do still have concerns. He wanted me to commit 100% to a 6-8 week program of soft diet, 24/7 splint, and physical therapy twice/week. It would cost me $2,600 for the splint and 6-8 wks of him seeing me, I guess to make adjustments or check on the progress. The physical therapist would cost me whatever she charges, which who knows what that is. He was eager to begin the impressions, but first I'd have to consent to this payment. I was weary, b/c I'm not so sure I can afford all of this, but if it will work...I would be willing to pay this money. However, I know I cant make it 2 this doctor and a physical therapist twice a week with my own hectic work schedule, terrible traffic here in California, and other obligations. I told him I'd have to think about it. I think he got a little upset b/c he told me well "You can get a second opinion, but people come from all over the world to see me, this is a progressive disorder that needs to be fixed before it gets worse." I know that he's right, and I really do want the help. I just dont want to be a victim. If I pay out lots of money on this I have to make sure I can commit to all of these appointments for treatment and therapy. Did you guys go through this same struggle. I feel like I dont know who I can really trust. He told me that if I did'nt do everything 100 percent as he had suggested that I wouldnt be sucessful. He said "no cheating, no eating bread or salad, make all your appointments, and wear the splint all the time" Therefore, I guess he was saying he isnt responsible if the treatment doesnt work. He did take panoramic x-rays..but he didn't necessarily tell me about the joint. He just said we need to re-align my joint, and that that takes 6-8 weeks of trial therapy and splint and soft diet only. I just want your opinions and suggestions. I'm not sure if I did the right thing by waiting. I've been seeing so many doctors, and my dental insurance wont pay for anything except a night-guard. "Your dental insurance will pay for No TMJ problems!" was made very clear by the receptionist when I put down my problem. How have you all been able to manage? Has anyone tried this 6-8 week program who can tell me if its reliable? Will PPO cover any TMJ treatment? Right now I only have an hmo, but I will get a PPO shortly and Im not sure if I shoud wait and see what help a PPO medical coverage might give me. I"m so lost on this thing guys! I'm not cheap really, I just have to be sure I can trust the person I"m giving thousands of dollars to. And of course I wanna know if I can go another route w/o breaking myself. All advice/suggestions or whatever will be greatly appreciated. Thanx for reading all fo this. Hope to hear from you.
He wanted me to commit 100% to a 6-8 week program of soft diet, 24/7 splint, and physical therapy twice/week. It would cost me $2,600 for the splint and 6-8 wks of him seeing me, I guess to make adjustments or check on the progress. The physical therapist would cost me whatever she charges, which who knows what that is. He was eager to begin the impressions, but first I'd have to consent to this payment. I was weary, b/c I'm not so sure I can afford all of this, but if it will work...I would be willing to pay this money. However, I know I cant make it 2 this doctor and a physical therapist twice a week with my own hectic work schedule, terrible traffic here in California, and other obligations. I told him I'd have to think about it. I think he got a little upset b/c he told me well "You can get a second opinion, but people come from all over the world to see me, this is a progressive disorder that needs to be fixed before it gets worse." I know that he's right, and I really do want the help. I just dont want to be a victim. If I pay out lots of money on this I have to make sure I can commit to all of these appointments for treatment and therapy. Did you guys go through this same struggle. I feel like I dont know who I can really trust. He told me that if I did'nt do everything 100 percent as he had suggested that I wouldnt be sucessful. He said "no cheating, no eating bread or salad, make all your appointments, and wear the splint all the time" Therefore, I guess he was saying he isnt responsible if the treatment doesnt work. He did take panoramic x-rays..but he didn't necessarily tell me about the joint. He just said we need to re-align my joint, and that that takes 6-8 weeks of trial therapy and splint and soft diet only. I just want your opinions and suggestions. I'm not sure if I did the right thing by waiting. I've been seeing so many doctors, and my dental insurance wont pay for anything except a night-guard. "Your dental insurance will pay for No TMJ problems!" was made very clear by the receptionist when I put down my problem. How have you all been able to manage? Has anyone tried this 6-8 week program who can tell me if its reliable? Will PPO cover any TMJ treatment? Right now I only have an hmo, but I will get a PPO shortly and Im not sure if I shoud wait and see what help a PPO medical coverage might give me. I"m so lost on this thing guys! I'm not cheap really, I just have to be sure I can trust the person I"m giving thousands of dollars to. And of course I wanna know if I can go another route w/o breaking myself. All advice/suggestions or whatever will be greatly appreciated. Thanx for reading all fo this. Hope to hear from you.
Hi:
I don't think you are cheap. I think you are extremely wise. Just from what you have said I would not trust this person because he got so offensive when you said you would have to think about it. If he was sure of himself he wouldn't mind if you got other opinions. Another thing that concerns me is that NO splint therapy is going to work in ONLY 6-8 weeks. It takes alot longer than that for it to work. That is too short of a time period. It also concerns me that he was so quick to say if you eat anything that he doesn't ok then the treatment won't work. It sounds to me like he is setting up his defense so if it doesn't work he can blame YOU and not take responsibility for his failed treatment. I know a gal who had surgery and she did absolutely EVERYTHING she was told to do, never cheated and wore her splint 24/7. The surgery failed and her surgeon blamed HER for his failure saying she was too nervous and she should go on a diet and lose some weight. It sounds like this guy is setting up his defense so he can blame you. He just sounds shady to me. I also wanted to tell you this: You said you will be getting new insurance and I was thinking if you waited until you got the new insurance and you got the dentist or whoever is treating you to put down you diagnosis as MPD (Myofascial Pain Dysfunction) instead of TMJ the insurance might pay for it. I know of several people who have gotten their insurance to pay because their treating professional used the diagnosis of MPD rather than TMJ. It might be worth a try. It also bothers me that this dentist tried to scare you by saying TMJ is progressive. While that is true it doesn't progress THAT FAST and the way he said it just because you said you needed to think about it just worries me. TMJ costs alot of money and it is alot of trying things and hoping they work but it just concerns me the way this man spoke to you. Just my thoughts on the whole thing.
Tiffany
You make points that I didnt even think of! I'm so glad you're on this board and that it exists. You're right about this guy. I honestly will say that he made me very sceptical. All the while he was talking to me, the office manager stood over me with her little pen and paper putting down the calculations. That made me uneasy also. I dont want someone standing over me with a pen in hand ready for my signature to commit to thousands of dollars for a 6-8 week stunt. I'm definitely gonna try this PPO MPD thing. It sounds worth a try. I"m so glad you reminded me about the whole progression thing. He really did make it sound like I needed to act right then and there. They play this video to start, which talks about how skilled he is..and make you sit there and watch it. I think its all for money. Even the specialists want TMJ money. Thanx again for your help. I think I'm going to at least get the night guard for now, then try going through PPO in January for further treatment.
That's alot of money. I thought my splint cost alot. (750$)
I guess it depends on what he is doing in terms of adjustments. I think there are some doctors who keep adjusting as things progress. Not sure from what I read if that is what he is doing.
laskalady: What part of Ca. are you in? I'm in San Diego and have a great DDS who helped me with TMJ after seeing 4 really bad ones. I went through splint therapy with him and then braces b/c my bite was so off. I haven't had any TMJ symptoms in quite awhile. I'll be getting my braces off this coming week. Let me know if you want his name, even if it's just to contact him for a referral close to where you live. Good luck.
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