my jaw is screwed up! - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

yvette84 · 07-12-2007, 11:47 AM

I'd like to know if anyone has a jaw like mine and knows of anything that could help.
My jaw doesn't lock or click, it just hurts alot and I can't chew anything without it hurting. My specialist says I have arthritis and bone spurs in my jaw, he also says my condoyle has worn down

I've recently been getting these random sharp pains and he says it is my nerve getting caught in the muscle. The only thing he says will help me is this stupid mouth guard he gave me. It hasn't helped at all! he says my problem is ALOT of gringing and clenching my whole life, so there has to be something that can help? I heard surgery is useless. Any one know what I'm talking about?
thanx!

sunflower22 · 07-12-2007, 07:56 PM

There are many different levels of TMJ. Sometimes with the mouthguard you have to give it time to help you. Also you have to make sure the mouthguard is fitted right for you. And that you have the right type for your TMJ proublem. I am in a horseshoe splint that I werar 24/7 and it helps with the pain so much. But I do have the clicking, poping, locking, grinding, clenching. You need to eat easy to chew foods nothing that will kill your jaw.

Sunflower22

girlfromthemoon · 07-12-2007, 10:27 PM

Hi Yvette!
Interesting that you mentioned your condyle being worn down - that is exactly what the oral surgeon has told me, except in my case this is apparently te cause of an open bite that I have developed in the past year or so. I don't know whether to believe him. I also have teh same symptoms as you, and my nightguard helped initailly, but then made things worse...I don't know to what extent they are effective or making things worse, to be honest. I'm just really scared of wearing my teeth down or cracking them so that i would have to have crowns...I'm too young for that.

I would try to get a second opinion in your case - I am currently goign from specialist to specialist, trying to find some answers. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

By the way - read the thread on biofeedback and sound alarms. I was very skeptical of this btu now I'm thinking I might give it a try. I really believe in biofeedback, I'm just not sure if that headgear can really detect when you are clenching. But at this point I'll try anything!

yvette84 · 07-13-2007, 12:05 AM

problem is I can only wear my mouth guard at night or else you can't even understand what I'm saying!