smiling1959

Hi,
I am looking for a TMJ / joint specialist within the Gauteng (Johannesburg) area.
I have had extreme TMJ pain and discomfort for 8 years (since getting my braces off after 4 years) and more so in the last few months after having the arthocentisis procedure to irrigate my temporomandibular joints done by Dr. Herman Kluge “maxillofacial surgeon in Pretoria”.
After getting my braces off the TMJ issues snuck up on me gradually. I received 3 gum grafting surgeries in Chicago for gum recession when I was 21 / 22 years old. I believe it was at this time that I had my first bite guard made for grinding my teeth at night.
I initiated this search for TMJ pain relief in 2006 with a dentist in the Johannesburg suburbs, Dr. Deval, who created a bite guard for me that I wore 6 months anticipating a change. (I'm a restless sleeper, clench my teeth at night, twitch and often have nightmares.) He then made me another one with a (completely smooth surface). I've become so used to sleeping with the bite guard now that it comforts me but I still wake up in so much pain. There are no teeth marks and no damage to the guard so my teeth grinding must have stopped, however, I do wake up sometimes clenching my mouth.
My next move was to the maxillofacial surgeon in Pretoria but all he did was prescribe an enormous amount of muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories, and pain killers. Even heavily medicated I was miserable. My pain increased immediately after having the arthocentisis procedure and the surgeon did not follow up with me or refer me to any other doctors.
Next, I went to an orthodontist (October 2008) thinking maybe my bite was misaligned or that putting braces back on could fix the problem. He advised that I was not a candidate for braces unless I wanted them for cosmetic purposes and that the bone behind my chin was so thin and weak he was afraid braces could crack or cause damage to the bone. He did not refer me to any other doctors.
I then took the liberty of contacting a chiropractor in Morningside (December 2008). I had 5 sessions (including dry needling to the neck, shoulders and jaw) and although my back and shoulders felt more relaxed all the knots in my shoulders and neck were still evident and my pain did not subside more than 10%.
The only other option I can think of besides seeing an orthopedic surgeon / joint surgeon would be a homeopath as I am trying to avoid surgery if possible. Is there anything else I can do? My pain feels chronic. I can't yawn, chew, kiss and sometimes speak without my jaw clicking or popping. I get headaches, neckaches, earaches and the pain is a constant throbbing day and night. I am open to any alternative medicine, massage, sleep doctors, you name it. Thank you so much for taking my question and I look forward to reading your ideas.