Any successes w/lower splints vs upper splints?

04-21-2003, 04:32 PM

Hi All,
I just finished reading thread on
"Beware of splints" and has left me
exhaused. I would like to know if
anyone has had success with the lower
splint vs upper splints? I have this
upper splint that has been adjusted
over 25 times and has always had the
same effect. I have displaced discs
right and left. Within 20 minutes of
wearing splint my jaw is completely
locked and my face, head and neck are
completely paralized. I dont know
why this happens and my doctors dont
know either, but keep insisting I
need a splint. I was wondering about
a splint that is worn on the bottem
teeth, does anyone know what difference
it makes??
My splint doctor says "Im a hopeless
case". He never recommed a bottem
splint. (Dr Cohen in AZ).
Help! If it is possible for me to
wear a spint i would. NO MORE SURGERY!!
Thanks a bunch,
Car-o

04-21-2003, 09:26 PM

Hi Caro,

I have had complete success with a lower splint. One dentist prescribed a soft upper splint which I wore for about 3 - 4 months. My symptoms worsened. The dentist who successfully treated my TMJ prescribed a hard lower splint. He said the first splint was doing me more harm as it was pushing my lower jaw back - and it was already too far back to begin with. Turns out (in my case) he was correct!
Everybody's TMJ is different. You have to find a doctor/dentist who KNOWS what they're doing with splints, and what is the correct splint for your situation. As many have posted before - a splint is only as good/effective as the person who's fitting/adjusting it.

Marlene

04-21-2003, 09:33 PM

Marlene is so right! My splint was hurting me so bad, I was near tears every day. I took mine out last week, and I acutally ate peanuts today!!!!!!!! Yea I did hurt a bit after but I ate peanuts! My muscles did not freeze up or anything. I do have to say my mouth is going back to the way it was though and when I open my mouth is goes all the way over to the left, but hay I can eat!!!! A splint is only as good as the one who adjusts it!
Shelly

04-22-2003, 07:44 AM

Marlene you sound like me - I hope!

I had no luck whatsoever with an upper splint. I'm in the process of getting a lower splint. I cannot wait to get it....will keep youp posted on my progress.

04-22-2003, 02:55 PM

I am a "splint success story" now as well! My bite is about 90 percent back and it's due to splints. It took a while and it hurt like hell for a while as well. It was hard to eat, talk, etc., but it did work. I wore a lower one during the day and upper at night and then wore only the upper for a while. I still wear the upper at night only. good luck.

04-22-2003, 03:02 PM

Hi all....
Thanks for your posts, looks like I
will try a lower splint. Does anyone
know how much they are?
Marlene what do you mean upper splint
was pushing your jaw backwards? What
were the symptoms? Do you have dis-
placed discs?
My bite is way off also, my bottem jaw
has shifted to the right of my face.
I know i need to have my bite realigned,
is this done with orthodontics? Could
this be why the upper splint locks my
jaw and paralyzes my head and neck?
I seem to have alot of questions that
my doctors havent really answered.
Thanks sooooo much!
Car-o

04-22-2003, 03:39 PM

Hi Car-o:
Hi, I've done much better with the lower splint than I ever did with the upper. The upper splint made my symptoms worse.
Tiffany

04-22-2003, 07:11 PM

Caro, consider the NTI device, in that way none of your molars meet, maybe then you would not lock.

i think *******.com is website.

04-23-2003, 08:56 AM

My treatment is going to cost around $4500. That includes all examinations, xrays, the lower splint, neuromuscular therapy and all follow-ups. I think my insurance will pay about half. Pricey, but I don't care at this point.

04-24-2003, 10:09 PM

I tried the upper splint about 10 years ago and now am in worse shape than I was in before. I have slippage of the disc on the left side. I am on day 3 of my lower splint now with a new specialist. So far, I am not used to it yet and it is very awkward. The doc I am seeing now totally believes in the lower splint as opposed to the upper splint.

------------------
Dumpysunshine

04-25-2003, 11:16 PM

Car-o,

When I briefly wore my upper splint, I found that my lower teeth were trying to "get behind" the splint, therefore causing my lower jaw to force itself backward. Both my discs were displaced anteriorly (forward). By wearing a splint on my lower teeth, it brought my lower jaw down and forward, allowing the discs to be "recaptured" (fall back into place). If memory serves me correctly, my splint cost around $150.00 CAN.

Marlene

05-09-2003, 03:27 PM

Hi All,
I just got my lower splint and so far
so good. My jaw is NOT locking, and
its not paralizing my muscles. YEA!!!
It appears to be bringing my jaw down
and forward just like Marlene said.
I cant believe what a difference a
lower splint makes verses the upper
splint that I couldnt wear any longer
than 20 minutes.
Thank you sooo much for all your help!
I will keep you posted!!!
Sincerely,
Car-o

05-09-2003, 10:03 PM

Hi Car-o

I'd be interested to know how you make out with your lower splint! Keeping my fingers crossed!

Marlene

05-10-2003, 07:14 PM

Carolyn (Caro7),

I am keeping my fingers crossed too that the lower splint will help you a lot. I wonder who prescribed it for you. MY doctor did not care about having me try any other type of splint when I complained about the upper splint. Good luck.

Alex

[This message has been edited by Al4 (edited 06-17-2003).]

Any successes w/lower splints vs upper splints?

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