Facebow for making splints? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

MaggieMay78 · 09-06-2006, 08:25 PM

Hi everyone, I am wondering if anyone has ever had a dentist use a "facebow" to make their splint? I was reading about this technique on several dentists' websites...and was wondering if anyone has had success with it? it looks like it could be very accurate, and this technique is taught to dentists at the Dawson Center and Pankey Institute (two continuing education institutes where dentists learn about TMJ therapy).

thanks!
Meg

Thelma-Louise · 09-06-2006, 11:10 PM

Can you describe what it looks like?

I had one dr place this thing on my head that had ear plugs on it and a bite plate that went into the mouth and took a bite register. It rested on my forehead and bridge of my nose and had a mini level on it to ensure the head was positioned correctly. Unfortunately his splints did not work at all for me - the right side was always too low no matter what he did with them. I guess my face/head are not in balance or in symmetry with my jaw.

The latest dr I am seeing is in the process of making my splints, did not use that device (whatever it was). He had me open as wide as I could and measured the distance of the opeing on both sides with a ruler that looked like a horshoe on a stick put placed in the mouth sideways or vertically (not horizontally) and then followed with impressions that took an hour to make - he kept putting the impression in and remeasuring the distance of the opening on both sides over and over again until he thought they equal. The more he did this the wider I was able to open. He also did all kinds of measurements of my lips, nose and cheek areas.

MaggieMay78 · 09-07-2006, 02:40 PM

Hi Thelma-Louise,

yes, it sounds like the first doctor was using a facebow on you, at least from your description...although I'm obviously not sure, as I wasn't there! I don't know how many different kinds of devices there are for this type of thing.

Interesting process with your current doctor...how is his splint working out for you?? I see you are in Rockland County, is the doctor's office right near you? I live in Pittsburgh right now, but used to live in NYC and have family there. I would be willing to travel to that general area if there are any good specialists there!

thanks!

Meg

Thelma-Louise · 09-07-2006, 06:26 PM

I go in on Monday for the 1st fitting of the splints so I don't know yet if they will help or not. But this dr seems to be using a very long check list for each appt - which none of the other drs that have treated me did - they seemd to fly by the seat of their pants, so to speak. Not sure if that means he needs help making sure of what he is doing or if he is just very proficient. He is in Yorktown Hgts - which is 40 mins north of where I am in Rockland which is 20 mins north of NYC (so approx 60 mins from NYC) - but if he helps me I will certainly let EVERYONE know about it!

Have you checked out a Dr. Stephen David Smith in PA - either in Philly or Paoli. His web site is impressive - I almost went to him until I found the other dr closer to me. Also, I just met a Dr Uyanik in Columbia's Dental School in NYC and I liked him very much as well - he is a director within their tmj clinic - what I liked about it is that they have access to so many specialists should your problem be very complex - so you are not just limited to their tmj clinic - they can call in other specialists as needed - at least that is what he told me.