Sign Up Today!

PatientZero · 04-12-2011, 02:39 PM

Has anyone been helped by a Neuromuscular Dentist with later stages of TMD? I was told by one NM Dentist that later stages tend to be cases where the joints are damaged and that a NM Dentist wouldn't help.

My MRI results. TMJ disorder due to Osteoarthritis.
Right side condyle and disc are in good condition but the disc is "stuck."
Left side condyle is showing ware and has a small bone spur. The disc is
"stuck" and in poor condition and the ligament is very loose.

I have almost no pain or headaches. (I've only had TMD for 4 months)
Only muscular issues I have are my temporalis muscles tend to be sore and my neck is sometimes stiff.

Oral surgeon suggested Disk repositioning and ligament tightening.

I just got a stabilization splint today.
I was told the splint won't recapture the left disc but may slow the progression of the Osteoarthritis.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

~~~
Tom

Jill 227 · 04-14-2011, 12:55 PM

HI there....Yes, I have had tmjd for over 22 years...and I was a pretty advanced case. Most of my pain was muscular. I am almost in phase 2 NM treatment....pain has gone down approximately 60% now. The surgeons don't tell you that NM treatment can help because they are only focused on anatomical changes within the joint/condyles. Most of tmj pain is muscular...actually, 80% of the cases are.

PatientZero · 04-15-2011, 11:23 AM

Thanks Jill,

I definitely am going to see a NM dentist for their advice. I know my bite must have been off all these years because it's my left disc that is worn down. Even the oral surgeon said that I have to fix the alignment or all the surgery in the world isn't going to last.

I guess I'm just frustrated on what needs to be fixed first.

I feel like I have the chicken or the egg syndrome.

Thanks again

~~~
Tom

Jill 227 · 04-15-2011, 05:05 PM

Your surgeon is quite correct. You can have 5 million surgeries...but if the mandible is not placed in a neuromuscular position....it will never be successful. This is also why so many post surgical patients have muscular pain. The mandible position and muscular function was not taken into consideration. If you have any questions about my treatment...I'd be happy to help. I am almost in phase 2 NM treatment.

PatientZero · 04-17-2011, 02:05 PM

Thanks again Jill!

Do you mind if I ask you what condition your discs where in or what your MRI results where before you started NM treatment?

My oral surgeon wants to surgically re-attach my discs first than work on my alignment. He said if I have my alignment worked on first than have the discs put back in place that it will only throw off my alignment again since my left disc is some much thinner than my right. I am getting a few other opinions by the way.

That's is why I want to talk to a few NM dentists and get their opinions also.

Your thoughts?

Many thanks!

~~~
Tom

Jill 227 · 04-17-2011, 02:27 PM

Hey there......I had no MRI....just by my symptoms..and the tomographic x-rays they could tell that both of my disks were anteriorly displaced without reduction.....so......basically I was almost bone on bone when I first started treatment. Now the new NM position has the condyles away from the opposing bone...and I am doing much better. I chose not to opt for surgery to reposition the disks back into place...primarily since I have no insurance...and I basically knew that they were too damaged to save. I've had this since highschool......I'm 39 now. Yes, get more opinions.....

PatientZero · 04-27-2011, 09:04 AM

Thanks for the info...

What phase 2 treatment are you going to have?

If your discs are too damaged what is going to keep bone from hitting bone again?

Thx

~~~
Tom

Jill 227 · 04-27-2011, 01:11 PM

My phase 2 treatment will be expanding my upper and lower jaws...(widening)....pulling the maxilla forward a bit as well, and rebuilding my bite to match the new jaw position. The NM position is a down and forward position, creating more room for the condyles to function. They do not hit the joint anymore....unless I am yawning in a weird way, or trying to chew something that I am not supposed to. Otherwise...I have hardly any bone on bone contact.

PatientZero · 04-28-2011, 02:57 PM

Wow! It's amazing that your NM dentist can do that. Although expanding your upper and lower jaws sounds painful.

Do you mind if I ask you who you are seeing for your NM treatments?

BTW... I've been going over a lot of your previous posts and educating myself as fast as possible.

Thanks again.

~~~
Tom

Jill 227 · 04-28-2011, 03:43 PM

I am travelling to see Dr. Paul Insolera, in Middleton, Wi. He is a NM orthodontist, and uses Functional Jaw Orthopedics. He also specializes in TMD and sleep apnea.

Sign Up Today!

Join Our Newsletter

Whoops,

Thank You