Senior Member

Posts: 184
From:los angeles, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-08-2003 11:37 PM            

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Every two weeks or so the right side of my jaw totally locks up and I can't get it to open at all. I get really nervous when it happens.

Before I used to be able to get it to click out after about and hour or two of massage, heat and a valium. Today I have been locked for 4 hours and it kind of hurts.

Any tips for unlocking when this happens a lot? How do you cope?

thank you so much for your help.

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Senior Member

Posts: 222
From:New Baltimore, MI
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 07-09-2003 12:04 AM            

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HI,
are you in any kind of treatment for tmj? You should probably get to a tmj dr. if you are locking up like that. Most people on this board have turned to a Neuromuscular Dentist for help. Many of them have been treated by other types of treatment but most have found relief with a new lower jaw splint that is made for your teeth.

Other than finding help, incase you have, my jaw locks up like that too. And like you, usually massaging it and trying to relax helps but not always. I am learning to live with it, and hoping that my splint will start to fix it soon. (I am new into treatment). It seems like the tens machine therapy works wonders for it.
Good luck to you, I don't think I was much help, sorry.
Mary

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Senior Member

Posts: 184
From:los angeles, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-09-2003 12:17 AM            

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Thank you so much! I hadn't thought of the TENS. I do have a splint but after it was made I heard from my regular dentist and a few former patients the guy was just doing TMJ as an aside to his braces treatments for more money. I am thinking of getting a new one when I can afford it.

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Senior Member

Posts: 189
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-09-2003 01:04 PM            

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Hi mdla! I just noticed you were from Los Angeles too! If you feel comfortable...who was this TMJ/orthodontist? I'm in the process of attempting to get 2nd opinions and have already ran into people who are eager to take my money with no results. Thanks!

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Senior Member

Posts: 222
From:New Baltimore, MI
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 07-09-2003 07:28 PM            

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HI,
I just wanted to update you. I had an hour of the pulsation of a tens machine made especially for the jaw today at my Dr. office. It helped so much that I just now ate a BLT!!! Thats a first in months. Good luck to you finding a Neuromuscular dentist. You will not regret it!
Mary

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Veteran

Posts: 403
From:Long Beach, CA, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 07-09-2003 07:52 PM            

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Literati,
I am also from the LA area (Long Beach) and I have been seeing a neromuscular doctor named Joseph Henry. So far I would recommend seeing him or at least giving him a call. You can find him by doing a search.

As for the problem about a locked jaw (which I constantly get) I recommend laying down with ICE and don't forget to close your eyes. I try to keep my tongue in the resting postion and really focus on my muscles. When my jaw locks it really hurts. My doctors say that even though my mouth is opened it is still locked because the most it opens is a finger width. Both of my discs are dislocated in the forward postion which is blocking my jaw from opening.

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Senior Member

Posts: 222
From:New Baltimore, MI
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 07-09-2003 10:34 PM            

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My Doctor did tell me today that if my jaw locks up again I should take two washcloths and get them as hot as I can stand, and then lay down for a half hour with them on my face. Then to gently massage the jaw muscles for a little while to see if that will loosen them up. Good luck.
Mary

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Senior Member

Posts: 184
From:los angeles, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-09-2003 10:58 PM            

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Hi Literati,

The orthodontist I recommend staying away from is Dr. Newhart. he has offices in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills the business office wont help you at all for records and receipts.

Im searching for a new splint doctor too, i have heard there is a good one in Orange County.

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