Bite irregularity/TMJ problems/Atrophy

03-02-2014, 03:17 PM

Hi. First time posting here, 19 years old, hoping someone could give me some feedback on this problem I've been having. At the beginning of the year, i had a clicking feeling in my jaw whenever it opened which progressively got worse until one day my jaw locked in place on one side. I went to physio therapy for it a number of times to try and aid the stiffness, and my jaw also started closing improperly and on different parts of my mouth. I was also given a night guard for my teeth which didn't do much... This problem subsided for a while but has come back in full force now. I went to see a Chiropractor a few weeks ago who told me I had atrophy in my jaw which would need work as well as TMD syndrome. After 2 treatments from him, my jaw is feeling worse and I am constantly closing my jaw on my front teeth and sometimes in a weird position of my back right teeth. This constantly hurts my jaw and is starting to hurt my teeth as well as gums... I find it hard to smile, chew, even talk sometimes. This problem has lasted so long I do not know what to do anymore and it seems to only be getting worse with time.

I have also never had braces or major surgery in my mouth aside from having my wisdom teeth removed in april of last year.

If anyone has any tips or can relate to this that would be awesome. I am really struggling with this and would appreciate any help.

Thanks

03-03-2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123sks123

Hi. First time posting here, 19 years old, hoping someone could give me some feedback on this problem I've been having. At the beginning of the year, i had a clicking feeling in my jaw whenever it opened which progressively got worse until one day my jaw locked in place on one side. I went to physio therapy for it a number of times to try and aid the stiffness, and my jaw also started closing improperly and on different parts of my mouth. I was also given a night guard for my teeth which didn't do much... This problem subsided for a while but has come back in full force now. I went to see a Chiropractor a few weeks ago who told me I had atrophy in my jaw which would need work as well as TMD syndrome. After 2 treatments from him, my jaw is feeling worse and I am constantly closing my jaw on my front teeth and sometimes in a weird position of my back right teeth. This constantly hurts my jaw and is starting to hurt my teeth as well as gums... I find it hard to smile, chew, even talk sometimes. This problem has lasted so long I do not know what to do anymore and it seems to only be getting worse with time.

I have also never had braces or major surgery in my mouth aside from having my wisdom teeth removed in april of last year.

If anyone has any tips or can relate to this that would be awesome. I am really struggling with this and would appreciate any help.

Thanks

Hello,

Unfortunately the only advice I can give you is to find a Qualified TMJ dentist. There is a Great TMJ docs thread on the board. You should probably have some tests taken Tomograms and / or 3D Cone Beam to see what exactly is going on with the TMJ. I have never had braces and have been able to keep my wisdom teeth, my jaw was also closing crooked and had a cant. I would actually suggest seeing an Osteopath who is trained with TMJ therapy rather than a chiroprator, but that's my opinion. The removal of your wisdom teeth may very well have contributed to your TMJ problems... Your lower jaw is probably 'shrinking' because with less teeth the jaw accommodates the new space, ergo it gets smaller...This pushes your jaw back which puts pressure on your TMJ's.
I am currently using an ALF (Alternative Lightwire Functional Orthodontic) because my lower jaw was being pushed back and 'shrinking'... Anyway, I've only had it for a week and I already feel some results, it's purpose is to widen the palate...
Google Alternative Lightwire Functional Orthodontic, and you can read all about it.
Hope you are able to find some relief.

Best,
Nick

03-04-2014, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123sks123

Hi. First time posting here, 19 years old, hoping someone could give me some feedback on this problem I've been having. At the beginning of the year, i had a clicking feeling in my jaw whenever it opened which progressively got worse until one day my jaw locked in place on one side. I went to physio therapy for it a number of times to try and aid the stiffness, and my jaw also started closing improperly and on different parts of my mouth. I was also given a night guard for my teeth which didn't do much... This problem subsided for a while but has come back in full force now. I went to see a Chiropractor a few weeks ago who told me I had atrophy in my jaw which would need work as well as TMD syndrome. After 2 treatments from him, my jaw is feeling worse and I am constantly closing my jaw on my front teeth and sometimes in a weird position of my back right teeth. This constantly hurts my jaw and is starting to hurt my teeth as well as gums... I find it hard to smile, chew, even talk sometimes. This problem has lasted so long I do not know what to do anymore and it seems to only be getting worse with time.

I have also never had braces or major surgery in my mouth aside from having my wisdom teeth removed in april of last year.

If anyone has any tips or can relate to this that would be awesome. I am really struggling with this and would appreciate any help.

Thanks

I would echo what the prior post said - you need a proper diagonis and to do this you need to find a dentist that specializes in TMJ disorders. Which is easier said then done since any dentist can hold themselves out as a specialist. There are certain diagnostic tests that should be done - MRI; CT scan and 360 panaromic exray = all these will give you info on you joint and the soft tissue - particularly the disc in your join. I wouldn't do any physio or chiropractic treatment until you have had a proper diagnosis. Other things to think about - anti imflammatories and muscle relaxants because often there is inflamation in the joint and your muscles are spasming.

Is the night gaurd custom made? If it isn't don't wear it and get one that is custom made. There are different type of night gaurds - some reposition your jaw - proceed cautiously with these - others just are flat plane and help reduce the impact of clenching on your joint. So if you clench or grind a flat plane night gaurd that is custom made is worth it.

Anyways, I know this hard but try to find a qualified dentist who specializes in TMJ disorders.

Bite irregularity/TMJ problems/Atrophy

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