TMJ Doc/Dentist in Rockland County, NY? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

LongTimeRunner7 · 02-11-2007, 06:34 PM

Hello all,

I have read lots of your posts and responses in the past few weeks. I have a couple of questions I am hoping to find the answers to here!
I was diagnosed with TMJ by a dentist about 3 months ago. He took a mold of my top teeth and made me a guard that I can basically only wear at night because I can't talk with it in. I think it is called an "occlusal" guard?! Anyway, it didn't work at all because I can still clench my jaw at night even with the guard in....now he wants me to pay $5000 for this other guard where he hooks me up to a computer and it will tell him where the "relaxed point" of my jaw is and then he will make a new guard based on this feedback from the computer.
Sorry to ramble on and on!
Anyway, I am massive pain here. Can't chew or bite into anything! My question is has anyone had any success with the NTI guard? This makes sense to me since it has a way to keep the mouth open which it seems would prevent clenching...
Also, does anyone know a doctor/dentist/chiro/osteopath or anyone that is known to actually help people with TMJ in Rockland County, NY?
Thanks so much...I have to tell you how much it has already helped to find there are people going through the same thing I am!

Thelma-Louise · 02-11-2007, 09:36 PM

I only tried the NTI for a few months - its supposed to keep your back teeth from touching but that seemed to only stress my muscles even more. I know other members have tried it with success and the only con I have seen is that everyday use over a long period of time can result in an open bite so most recommend that it is only worn on alternating days.

I haven't found anyone in Rockland and I have had tmj for 3 yrs now. I've been treated by several in NYC, one in Orange Cnty, one in CT and am now seeing someone in Yorktown Heights. You might want to search the northern border of NJ though - I believe there are some tmj specialists in that area that other members have mentioned. Have you checked the Great TMJ Dr thread previously posted?

I was seeing a chiro in New City for almost 2 years and he was very good but then the tmj dentist I was seeing at the time sent me to someone in White Plains - a NUCCA chiro - and he was really able to stop some of my symptoms (ear ringing, nausea, facial tingling and stiff neck) and ease some of the pain. I went to him for 7 mos. Now my current tmj dr is referring me to a cranial chiro in Scarsdale but I haven't started with him. When I asked for an osteopath he said he would rather I see this dr in Scarsdale. If you can go to NYC I have the name of a great cranial sacralist that helped ease some overall body pain I have - but it is a hassle to go down there every week so I stopped after 1 year. And I did 4 months of PT with a trained tmj therapist in White Plains that was good but you need a prescription from your tmj or PCP dr. Luckily all of the drs I have seen for therapy were covered by my medical health insurance. If you want any of their names let me know.

LongTimeRunner7 · 02-12-2007, 04:39 PM

Hi Thelma-Louise,
Thank you so much for your response. What exactly is a NUCCA chiro? I have been going to a chiropractor in New City most of my life but haven't been for a while so he doesn't even know about the TMJ since it is relatively new. Sounds like you have been through the ringer...so sorry to hear that...I have an inkling of how frustrating it must be...I would be willing to go to White Plains but probably not NYC. Especially if the doctor in White Plains actually helped you!
Thanks again,
Andrea

Thelma-Louise · 02-12-2007, 06:23 PM

NUCCA stands for Nat'l Upper Cervical Chiropractor Assoc - they specialize in the C1 or atlas vertebrae. The adjustments are not really similar to those of a regular chiro (even the ones that use an activator). The adjustments are done primarily around the lower jaw below the ear - the side adjusted is determined by an xray - its a gentle push with the side of their hand but the affects are pretty powerful and are usually felt within a day or so. Some NUCCA chiros rely on a machine - search for orthogany or orthoganist and you should come across it. The name of the one in WP is Upper Cervical Chiropractic and the Dr is George Gertner if you are interested. Or go back to your former chiro - since he is already familiar with your body he may be able to help with this as well.

sunflower22 · 02-12-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongTimeRunner7

Hello all,

I have read lots of your posts and responses in the past few weeks. I have a couple of questions I am hoping to find the answers to here!
I was diagnosed with TMJ by a dentist about 3 months ago. He took a mold of my top teeth and made me a guard that I can basically only wear at night because I can't talk with it in. I think it is called an "occlusal" guard?! Anyway, it didn't work at all because I can still clench my jaw at night even with the guard in....now he wants me to pay $5000 for this other guard where he hooks me up to a computer and it will tell him where the "relaxed point" of my jaw is and then he will make a new guard based on this feedback from the computer.
Sorry to ramble on and on!
Anyway, I am massive pain here. Can't chew or bite into anything! My question is has anyone had any success with the NTI guard? This makes sense to me since it has a way to keep the mouth open which it seems would prevent clenching...
Also, does anyone know a doctor/dentist/chiro/osteopath or anyone that is known to actually help people with TMJ in Rockland County, NY?
Thanks so much...I have to tell you how much it has already helped to find there are people going through the same thing I am!

I have a horseshoe spint but it's worn 24/7 and I am able to talk, sing, laught ect.... Your doc prouble needs to adj and take off some plastic off of it. anways my helps my pain alot. But I do have flar up's.