Hi everyone,
I used to post on this discussion board fairly regularly, but haven't for a few years. I thought I'd share some of the things I've learned over the years in my quest for pain relief (which I know many of you are on as well).
I have not yet found complete relief myself, though I been close a number of times.
The following are some of the treatments or treatment approaches that had helped me the most :
-pull forward splint or anterior repositioning splint. This type of splint helped me more than any other splint I have tried. The only reason I stopped using it was because the splint pulled my jaw forward and to the left which was favourable to my left jaw joint...but not to my right joint. (My right joint is an artificial joint and is not able to adapt as well to moving forward and to the left)
- splints made by or adjusted by 'prosthodontists'. I am not suggesting that all prosthodontists are capable of treating Tmj symptoms well. However, in my experience, there have been a number of them who have considerable skills in this area
- Some neuromuscular dentists (eg trained at LVI) I have found to be helpful as well.
- In general, as far as finding a dentist in your area who can help, I would recommend of course checking the folder on this board in which people recommend dentists who have helped them, and they tell about where these dentists are from. Also, I believe that phoning up dentists in your town or city and asking them who they would recommend for treating Tmj, is often something that's fruitful to do.
- Using a Tens machine such as the BNS-40 (which I've used) can also help to limit Tmj pain, as this type of Tens machine is specifically suited to stimulating nerves in the facial area
- One self help technique that I've found beneficial ( I know this sounds a bit crazy)...but placing chewed gum between your teeth and letting it rest there...has helped me. Since gum chewing can sometimes aggravate a Tmj condition, I get my wife to chew it for me.
I am not 100% cured in my condition, though I am doing 'pretty well' these days. Anyways, I just wanted to share some of the things that I've found have worked for me over the years. I hope some of them may benefit some of you as well.
God bless
John
