Does anyone suffer from TMJ?

MysteriousMistletoe said:
Have to say I feel so so bad for anyone with tmj, I had a really painful nerve in my jaw for a week or so earlier in the year. I took the top doses of painkiller, kept my face on a hot water bottle and relaxed my jaw but was still crying with the pain :( chewing was out of the question because even drinking was agony! Was so relieved when it stopped hurting and it hasnt hurt since, but wouldn't want to live with it long term! Can't even chew on that side anymore just because I remember the pain ..
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I have been there many times so I do understand. According to my Chiro chap there is a particular nerve that runs from the ear to the jaw down the neck to the shoulder and its MURDER... like a double migraine in the ear downwards!
 
Make sure you go to a specialist dentist who has a dental c t scan

CT Scan uses advanced computer programs (Computer Tomography) to analyse many small slice views of the jaw collectively known as a CT Scan.
 
Andiamo said:
I have it as well, was diagnosed a long time ago. Used to have an acrylic splint but have lost track of it. It didn't stop me from grinding / clenching at night, but it did stop me from damaging my teeth doing it, and it supported the TM joint, which therefore put less stress on the facial muscles.

It's flared up very very badly today - and I made a mistake last night - I ate a bag of toffee (Thorntons Toffi-Chocs). I am really dying today, to the extent I thought maybe I should go to hospital, the pain was so extreme - stabbing /aching pain all down the right side of my face and into my neck, jaws, my gums and teeth. Codeine, ibuprofen, paracetomol - all taken - but nothing is helping. I've been icing the right side of my face, but that hasn't helped much either. I'll try heat next, pop some more painkillers and hopefully it will be better tomorrow morning.
TMJ isn't nice, it can be helped but not cured.
Does anyone know of a TMJ specialist in Hampshire? I would go to one if I knew where to find one.
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I've found these googling:
http://www.gentledentistry.co.uk/TMJ-syndrome-treatments-bournemouth.html

http://www.moirabrown.co.uk/treatments_hampshire_orthodontist/general-hampshire-orthodontics.html

http://www.whatclinic.com/dentists/uk/hampshire/southampton/tmj-temporomandibular-joint
 
GREYSMEADOW said:
I too have TMJ and have had it for almost 4 years now, and am undergoing (private) dental treatment from a ‘specialist’ dentist who specialises in jaw joints, bite alignment etc. I have also seen a jaw specialist in East Grinstead. I’ve had approx. 4 hours of dental work already this week. I too wear a splint and have to have at least one chiropractic treatment (with adjustments in my mouth) a week because my bite issue(s) aggravates my neck, shoulder, pelvic etc. I also massage my face/jaw as directed by my Chiropractioner (Cranial treatment too).
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i am very jealous of you! anything like this would help me :( .....but still after seeing every consultant and registra going at my hospital in oral surgry, and them deciding i am one of the worst cases they have ever seen in someone so young, they still wont do anything like this for me and just seem to have the attitude of 'cba'. they wont discuss any other option and have just wacked a (3rd) splint that doesnt fit correctly in my mouth, due to my terrible bit they cant get it to fit correctly. - the pain is often unbearable!
 
TandD said:
i am very jealous of you! anything like this would help me :( .....but still after seeing every consultant and registra going at my hospital in oral surgry, and them deciding i am one of the worst cases they have ever seen in someone so young, they still wont do anything like this for me and just seem to have the attitude of 'cba'. they wont discuss any other option and have just wacked a (3rd) splint that doesnt fit correctly in my mouth, due to my terrible bit they cant get it to fit correctly. - the pain is often unbearable!
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Oh HECK!.... I would recommend that you go and see Richard Dean in East Grinstead or London. I was onto my second splint this year and Richard altered (reduced the height) with my first splint to see if my symptoms would improve and they did just in a couple of hours. I'm hoping that I haven't got jaw joint damage or something else. My jaw cannot stand having the feeling of a brick between my teeth!!!

http://www.dentalorthopaedics.com/index.php

I think the consultation was £180 and then the next adjustment free.

My chiro recommended him and so did his receptionist's daughter was treated by him who is shown on his website (case studies). The parents where told that her jaw would have to be broken in two different places so they went for a 2nd opinion and glad they did. I don't think she had any operations just dental treatment over approx. 2 years. I was recommended Richard Dean by my dentist too.

Good luck.
 
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GREYSMEADOW said:
Make sure you go to a specialist dentist who has a dental c t scan

CT Scan uses advanced computer programs (Computer Tomography) to analyse many small slice views of the jaw collectively known as a CT Scan.
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CORRECTION: It's a T-Scan you need to ask (sorry brain was't in gear last night).

http://www.tekscan.com/occlusal-analysis-system
T-Scan® III Computerized Occlusal Analysis
The T-Scan is a diagnostic device that records your patient's bite force dynamics, including occlusal force, location and timing.

I hope you will find all find this helpful.
 
TandD said:
i am very jealous of you! anything like this would help me :( .....but still after seeing every consultant and registra going at my hospital in oral surgry, and them deciding i am one of the worst cases they have ever seen in someone so young, they still wont do anything like this for me and just seem to have the attitude of 'cba'. they wont discuss any other option and have just wacked a (3rd) splint that doesnt fit correctly in my mouth, due to my terrible bit they cant get it to fit correctly. - the pain is often unbearable!
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I so have been down this route... weeks off work and ill in bed too, trying to do a full-time job and 2.5 horses to look after. Go and see Richard Dean for a 2nd/3rd opinion. He would probably find you a suitable dentist in your area to do the necessary dental work if thats the case. He does also have a Chiro/Osopath on site too to do the other cranial adjustments which is also helpful to your wellbeing. I would recommend seeing him (200%) even if it takes you all day travelling to get to see him. I would also recommend (200%) seeing my Chiro chap too (for the cranial treatment). My brother is now being treated by him as he's having crown work and is in pain with this back and neck. Good luck. I wish that dentists could be trained to do cranial adjustments in the mouth (after dental treatment) as it is not good to have your jaw open for so long. That is my opinion.
 
I had a kick to the jaw with the result my jaw wouldn't open fully (probabnly a good thing as it kept my mouth shut) & both the dentist & doctor said it was from grinding my teeth, causing pain on the side of may face. I said no it wasn't but they took no notice. I did nothing re their treatment.
After around 5 months the wind caught the car door & slammed it into just the point where the jaw hinges (on the side of the pain ). It was hurt like hell for 24 hours, then everything was back to normal, no trouble with the jaw at all ever since. There had been a dislocation.
So I am saying make sure the diagnosis is correct, therefore the treatment, as sometimes doctor doesn't always know best !
 
Ive just bloody had to phone in sick to work. The pain was so bad last night it made me sick. The right side of my face is still in agony and i have a pounding headache too :( honestly could cry this is ruining my life
 
GREYSMEADOW said:
I've found these googling:
http://www.gentledentistry.co.uk/TMJ-syndrome-treatments-bournemouth.html

http://www.moirabrown.co.uk/treatments_hampshire_orthodontist/general-hampshire-orthodontics.html

http://www.whatclinic.com/dentists/uk/hampshire/southampton/tmj-temporomandibular-joint
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You're a star! Thanks so much!! that bag of toffee was really a bad idea... won't be doing that again. Still bad pain today, have tried hot gel pack on my face + Ibuprofen + codeine - pain is now about 7 out of 10, reduced from 9 out of 10 yesterday...
I will check out those dentists next week. I do really need a new splint for night time.
 
jnhuk said:
I know Kikke which is why in my first post I called it TMJ dysfunction or as you say disorder but the recent poster asked what TMJ was so hence my response and I know the OP had just TMJ in the title but they are not dental professionals.
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Oh no sorry didn't mean you were making a mistake just to make it clear to the OP more then anything else. Don't think you have to be a dcp to know what something is really called ;)
 
Weesophz and Andiamo – you are probably both knackered (lack of sleep) and stressed which also causing the muscles in the jaw/neck/shoulders to tense up. A soak in the bath helps and then try and get someone to give you a massage laying down. It does help me. Oh and keep warm too. I do massage my mouth inside which helps a little. Try and find a Chiro who is experienced in treating the jaw (TMJ/TMD). I was off work for a month (signed off) with this and only wished I had spoken to my Chiropractioner at the time. I got relieve after some treatment.

Do all please remember that talking on the telephone can aggravate the jaw pain – ie. holding your phone on your shoulder and tilting your head. Try using a speaker phone/hands free etc. It will help. Oh and bad posture at the keyboard typing replies on here can aggravate this condition. Reminds me I must improve the height of my screen! :o) Smack on the wrists for me.
 
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GREYSMEADOW said:
How are you today Weesophz?
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jaws still tender but apart from that im okay, couldnt believe how much pain i was in the other night, pain radiating from my jaw all round my head and neck, was in tears lying in bed.

last night my ear was crackling away anytime i spoke or swallowed, so annoying.

i want this sorted before xmas but i doubt thats gonna happen :(

thank you for asking!
 
Was just wondering how you readers on here are getting on with their TMJ/TMD problems.

Today I've been diagnosed (after an MRI scan this week) with displaced articular discs and now have another type of splint which brings my bottom teeth more forward! which has so far proving my painful issues... onwards and upwards.
 
i got my splint middle of february, was sore for the first few days but i have to say its made a huge improvement :) i still cant open my mouth a great amount but the pains hardly there anymore! if i forget to wear my splint at night my jaw is quite stiff the next day from my clenching in my sleep, but i am really happy with the difference its made :)

back in may for a check up, hopefully theyll give me something to help me open my mouth more. stick with the splint, i promise its worth it! my doc told me to take strong painkillers for 5 days and that builds it up to where its most effective
 
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