Quote:
Originally Posted by nextlilypad  |
Since I started to wear a splint my face has radically changed. Before I had really pumped up facial muscles especially the masseters, which made my face look wider than long. I noticed it but put it down to ageing or weight gain. The first dentist I saw who realised I had bruxing issues said I was permanently giving my jaw muscles a work out.
I think to get your muscles back to normal you need a splint to readjust the way your teeth come together. Don't even think about surgery!
In my case my mandible was too far back causing the muscles to work at a fore-shortened length. The first month the splint worked by taking the teeth out of the equation in determining where the bite is, and allowed the mandible to find the position it was comfortable in. The top of the splint is flat so you kind of slide around on it at first which is weird but quickly I noticed I found a position which was more comfortable.
This down and forward position relaxed the facial muscles and lengthened my face - no more pumped up cheek muscles and looking younger as well. I know what they mean by 'dental facelift' now ;-)
Apart from the pumped up muscles, I had clicking and just when I though I was getting my head around TMJ dysfunction the dentist told me I also had/have cranial distortions as well so I wear an ALF appliance to even out my skull bones. The maxilla is basically the bottom 2/3 of the skull so its all interconnected.
Good luck with your treatment!
