Do I need an orthotic? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

CreedFan99 · 07-24-2008, 03:48 PM

Hi Everyone....

Am going in tomorrow for a three hour appointment to have some sort of monitoring equipment attached to me while I watch television to measure my jaw muscles and other things (sorry don't know the technical details) -- my only symptoms of TMJ syndrome are:

Right side of my jaw pops and feels almost out of place until I close it again, when it feels like it pops back in place -- this only happens when I yawn.

Grinding of my teeth when I sleep (sometimes end up biting the inside of my cheek)

and finally...

soreness around my jaw hinging area when I get dental work done....

As a result, they want to use a dental orthotic for 6 months, and it costs a lot of money....still talking to insurance about whether it's covered but....my symptoms are mild...is this orthotic considered a "irreversible change"? For someone like me is this drastic approach of a permanent device for 6 months worth it?

Confused

taape · 07-24-2008, 07:08 PM

Are you sure that the orthotic is permanent, like cemented in your mouth or can you remove it like a retainer?

I'm curious about what kind of monitoring equipment you will have. I've got clicking on one side supposedly from an uneven bite. Let us know.

Thelma-Louise · 07-24-2008, 07:44 PM

Splint therapy tends to be one of the more conservative and conventional type of treatment for tmj. Although your symptoms are not extreme and some people are able to and do live with similar symptoms with no intereference in function or their normal daily life, for some, left untreated, these symptoms can progress and further degenerative changes to the joint or condyle may result which are much harder to treat. It may take years to happen, or it can happen quite suddenly seemingly overnight or it may never happen, its hard to say.

You may have to find out the actual name or type of orthotic your dr will be using and research it a bit. Some stablize the jaw and bite and others reposition the jaw and the bite then needs to be adjusted making the changes more permanent. Whether the affects or results of the splint are permanent and non-reversible may depend on the type of orthotic and splint you are using. As an example, the NTI seems to be a common orthotic worn or tried by many but there have been several previous posts regarding the issue that it produces an open bite if worn 24/7 and most suggest that it only be worn a few nights a week as a result. It might be best if you go back and get some specifics about what the dr is going to be using so you can make a more informed decision.

CreedFan99 · 08-28-2008, 05:22 AM

Today's the day (sorry I let this post lag) -- they are cementing the orthotic on my entire lower set of teeth this afternoon, and then going to check on me in a month. They gave me a bit more information about it, but I'm still in the dark about terms -- they say I have a severe/deep overbite (it's enough for them to have trouble with the magnet they put under my bottom lip during the jaw measurements) and that this will help my jaw be in the right position before I get braces. Needless to say I'm scared

but I will post more info when I get back from the appointment.