What does the appliance REALLY do? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

pinktulip · 12-15-2007, 06:09 AM

I am questioning the purpose of this uncomfortable bottom splint--I am suppose to wear it all day and another NPI small thing at nite--
It is a long story of 2 root canaled teeth, then apicos, then 1 extraction, and the pain still continued...THIS dentist insists that it is all about bite, but after months of playing with a splint, I'm not convinced that this is all about TMJ (Many TMJ specialists said no) Now many other teeth are acting up (I have big old cavities that probably don't want any banging) I am afraid to make things worse now. ---This doc that made the appliance is one of the countries leading experts and teaches around the country.....
AND I am confused---does the splint CHANGE anything...?? or is it just to help the pain while you wear it??? If that's the case, the thing makes me tense itself. ARE THESE THINGS EVERY COMFORTABLE? And eating with it is torture--my mouth and jaw are all over the place trying to chew!
I never had any "clicking" or pulling....just this localized pain with this bridge....
What to do?????????

sunflower22 · 12-15-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinktulip

I am questioning the purpose of this uncomfortable bottom splint--I am suppose to wear it all day and another NPI small thing at nite--
It is a long story of 2 root canaled teeth, then apicos, then 1 extraction, and the pain still continued...THIS dentist insists that it is all about bite, but after months of playing with a splint, I'm not convinced that this is all about TMJ (Many TMJ specialists said no) Now many other teeth are acting up (I have big old cavities that probably don't want any banging) I am afraid to make things worse now. ---This doc that made the appliance is one of the countries leading experts and teaches around the country.....
AND I am confused---does the splint CHANGE anything...?? or is it just to help the pain while you wear it??? If that's the case, the thing makes me tense itself. ARE THESE THINGS EVERY COMFORTABLE? And eating with it is torture--my mouth and jaw are all over the place trying to chew!
I never had any "clicking" or pulling....just this localized pain with this bridge....
What to do?????????

The splint is to help with the pain, puts your jaw in the right postion and helps if you grind or clench your teeth. What are your symonths of TMJ? My splint is an upper and comfortable. It may need some adjusting to it to make it feel right. Another thing I take my guard out when I eat.

Flourish · 12-26-2007, 02:04 AM

I had a splint for about a year and a half. It was very uncomfortable at first and I refused to wear it when I ate... even though I was supposed to. After a while though, you can get used to it, just chew slowly and notice how your jaw moves differently.

The splint essentially makes your teeth sit in a different position than normal, causing your jaw to rest differently. I talked very funny when I had it in, but then slowly I learned how to talk kind of normal lol

Really, it is a good thing.

pinktulip · 12-26-2007, 05:48 AM

Thanks, Flourish--

So you wore this appliance for a year and half? and then what? Did you have any other teeth issues or was this all about your bite?? How is it now?
I wore the appliance day and nite for 2 months, but still seem to be in the same limbo situation....in fact, I think the thing makes everything more tense- I didn't have any muscle pulling to start with-which was not the problem to start with (1 and half years ago)..and---now teeth on the other side of where the problem was are hurting...!!!
Did you have many adjustments? I'm always afraid that the next adjustment will make it worse!!
Thanks for your input.

Flourish · 12-27-2007, 06:34 AM

Pinktulip,

Your jaw WILL be sore for a lot of the time and it will feel like your symptoms are getting worse.... Sorry to say. This just means it's doing it's job! The purpose for this is that it's not used to being forced in the correct position it should be in.

Look at it this way. Before I got my splint, my teeth were grinding at night when I slept because they wanted to be in the 'correct' position, as my jaw was in so much distress! But, my jaw was used to this position, so when I started wearing the splint it 'complained'! But it's all for the best!

I had adjustments about every 2 months. They're normal, and are required because your jaw is moving into position so they have to make the splint fit the new position your teeth are in. Does that make sense?

It is painful, I know! Everything is moving around and your mouth isn't happy about it! You might be grinding your teeth at night. I remember doing that a lot and my teeth would be in agony afterwards.

They even suggested for me, if the pain is bad to take an advil or something. Advil, not tylenol. Advil has the muscle relaxants that you want.

After I was done the splint they put me on braces which I have in now. When my teeth are ready, I will have jaw surgery as my lower jaw is underdeveloped. They could not put braces in until my jaw was stable in it's correct position. It feels a lot better now! My left jaw joint was degenerating because of my bad bite but since I had the splint in, it's much better.

So yes, I have other teeth issues... like my overbite was so bad! It was 110% which meant that my top teeth went down and PAST my bottom teeth. I also have a couple teeth that have no adult teeth under them so they are having to be careful with the braces... so that those babies stay in as long as possible.

Sorry, I talk too much! But I hope all of this helps