Does it sound like i have tmj?? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

kkgirl · 01-16-2007, 08:55 PM

back when i was 9 or 10 i noticed my jaw clicked when i yawned, no big deal it didn't hurt.
my jaw hurt somedays, only when i immediately woke up though for about 1 hour or so....no inconvience.
when i was 13 (sept. 05) i awoke one morning to what i thought to be a sinus headache, heck i had no clue what was going on all i knew was i felt BAD and my head hurt. alot of tension in my head!!!!!!!!!! i went to the doctor and i thought i had anemia or something because i felt so weak and awful!!!!!!!!!!!
and now, everyday since, it's been a year and a half, i've had what i describe as a chronic tension in my jaw area with headaches sometimes and last may 06 i got braces to help the problem. i told my orthodontist about my jaw pain and teeth grinding when i got them on but he did nothing to correct the problem. i went in for an appt. on oct. 31 of this year to see what's going on but they said theres nothing they can do until the braces are off- UMM HELLO!? that's in like 2 years.
i am getting depressed from the chronic pain and tension in my jaw area, dizziness, and everything else. i don't know who to turn to or where to go for help. im 15 now. should i tell my parents to take me to the doctor? but the orthodontist said theres nothing he can do until the braces are off?
this pain is starting to take over every aspect of my life and i need some help.
does this even sound like tmj to you?
i know i clench my teeth REALLY hard all night because i wake up like that and i feel myself doing it even when i'm taking a little nap.
this is affecting everything, does anyone else understand what im going through??
please post.

dinney · 01-17-2007, 02:53 PM

I have suffered from TMJ for YEARS and have a great dentist that is really knowledgable about TMJ BUT I waited way to long before seeing him, now have dentures and helping me alot at this point probably isn't going to happen. There is the option of surgery but he doesn't recommend it as it's not all that successful. I have been depressed forever, pain in jaw/neck, headaches, vision problems not to mention the horrible dizziness. It is quite debilitating physically and mentally. Sorry to be a downer but get good help NOW, don't wait !

Thelma-Louise · 01-17-2007, 06:15 PM

To KKgirl - no offense to your otrhto but I would ask your parents to find an ortho trained in tmj or FJO (Functional Jaw Orthotics) and get a 2nd opinion about what is going on. Othodontia is supposed to be about putting your jaw and teeth in the right or most optimal position - this is what lets all your muscles relax and usually stops the grinding or clenching and the pain that follows. What does your current ortho expect to do after the braces are removed? Does he feel all of this is due to how the teeth are being repositioned so this is considered to be normal. There usually is some pain from the tightening of the wires to force the teeth to move - so its possible this is what you are experiencing. Please talk to your parents about this as well so they can also address the issue with the ortho.

kkgirl · 01-17-2007, 08:39 PM

Thanks thelma-louise. ill ask my parents about it. actually i started getting this pain about 1 year before i got my braces on so i don't think the braces caused it. the ortho said something about a splint or nightguard after the braces are off. last appt my ortho was shocked at how much my teeth have shifted - on the left side only the back like 4 teeth touch. he asked me if i had fallen on my jaw or something. but anyways i will look into that thank u.

do you think a dentist would be of any help?

Thelma-Louise · 01-18-2007, 11:25 AM

The fact that you were experiencing the pain before the braces obviously means you were probably already predisposed for tmj issues - something must have already occurred either due to heredity factors in terms of your development, poor dentistry or an accident such as a blow to your face or head. The other fact that your ortho was shocked about how much your teeth shifted makes me again question is knowledge about tmj complications. If he is not sure about the results being achieved by his ortho treatments I would be questioning it as well. A 2nd opinion from a trusted dentist would not hurt but not all dentists are trained in tmj and FJO so he may not be able to offer a qualified opinion - however he may be able to refer you to someone else who is qualified. I'm not sure why the ortho would feel comfortable in the fact that a nightquard after braces is the answer either. He should be doing what he can right now to make sure the teeth and jaw are in the right position so one is not necessary - other than a retainer to ensure they do not shift back to their original position after treatment is completed. So defintely do what you can in terms of getting a 2nd or 3rd opinion about what is going on - this can affect you for years to come and it will be much easier to address it now while it is happening instead of later.