Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 In a message dated 3/19/2004 9:54:43 AM Eastern Standard Time, powerplug@... writes: If you want to try using a mouth guard the best thing is to go to a sporting goods store and get a moldable mouth guard. These can be cut to size and put in warm water to be made pliable, then you fit them to your own mouth. They are quite inexpensive too. 's idea is a good one but be sure to buy the right size. I bought one too small and I was stuck with it!! Didn't realize that I really was a " big mouth " ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 TMJ - don't do it! - don't get a gaurd from the dentist - they are $$$ and from everything I've read they don't work anyway - doing the work to get the gaurd can aggrevate the problem. ~~~~~~~ I have a specially made soft mouth guard and it really helps me. I've been thru 2 different types of TMJ treatment. One the orthodontist had me in a hard mouth splint,then wanted to put braces on me for 18 months (I had braces as a teen for 2 years and my teeth moved okay, but they moved back out of place on the bottom), then after the braces for 18 months the orthodontist wanted me to have my upper jaw separated, shave off 4 mm of bone, then wire everything back together. I refused the braces and the jaw surgery as I knew that my bones didn't heal properly from my previous orthodontia experience. This was before the EDS dx. My 2nd TMJ treatment was with a dentist who had TMJ himself. He ground down my molars and that really helped. A few years later I was still having pain and my regular dentist made me a soft mouth guard. It really helps because it helps relax the muscles by opening up the jaw a little, keeps me from clenching down and hurting my teeth. I am a night clencher and a " clicker " - I click my teeth together during the night. When I find myself clenching, the soft plastic keeps me from damaging the teeth. I think TMJ treatment is very individual. But I do agree with you that Mike might be able to help with the pains. Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 TMJ - don't do it! - don't get a gaurd from the dentist - they are $$$ and from everything I've read they don't work anyway - doing the work to get the gaurd can aggrevate the problem. ~~~~~~~ I have a specially made soft mouth guard and it really helps me. I've been thru 2 different types of TMJ treatment. One the orthodontist had me in a hard mouth splint,then wanted to put braces on me for 18 months (I had braces as a teen for 2 years and my teeth moved okay, but they moved back out of place on the bottom), then after the braces for 18 months the orthodontist wanted me to have my upper jaw separated, shave off 4 mm of bone, then wire everything back together. I refused the braces and the jaw surgery as I knew that my bones didn't heal properly from my previous orthodontia experience. This was before the EDS dx. My 2nd TMJ treatment was with a dentist who had TMJ himself. He ground down my molars and that really helped. A few years later I was still having pain and my regular dentist made me a soft mouth guard. It really helps because it helps relax the muscles by opening up the jaw a little, keeps me from clenching down and hurting my teeth. I am a night clencher and a " clicker " - I click my teeth together during the night. When I find myself clenching, the soft plastic keeps me from damaging the teeth. I think TMJ treatment is very individual. But I do agree with you that Mike might be able to help with the pains. Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 TMJ - don't do it! - don't get a gaurd from the dentist - they are $$$ and from everything I've read they don't work anyway - doing the work to get the gaurd can aggrevate the problem. ~~~~~~~ I have a specially made soft mouth guard and it really helps me. I've been thru 2 different types of TMJ treatment. One the orthodontist had me in a hard mouth splint,then wanted to put braces on me for 18 months (I had braces as a teen for 2 years and my teeth moved okay, but they moved back out of place on the bottom), then after the braces for 18 months the orthodontist wanted me to have my upper jaw separated, shave off 4 mm of bone, then wire everything back together. I refused the braces and the jaw surgery as I knew that my bones didn't heal properly from my previous orthodontia experience. This was before the EDS dx. My 2nd TMJ treatment was with a dentist who had TMJ himself. He ground down my molars and that really helped. A few years later I was still having pain and my regular dentist made me a soft mouth guard. It really helps because it helps relax the muscles by opening up the jaw a little, keeps me from clenching down and hurting my teeth. I am a night clencher and a " clicker " - I click my teeth together during the night. When I find myself clenching, the soft plastic keeps me from damaging the teeth. I think TMJ treatment is very individual. But I do agree with you that Mike might be able to help with the pains. Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 Well, I was thinking just that. That the mouth guard might make her bite down more. I had one years ago, it was a hard one. I didn't wear it, cause I found I was biting down on it a lot. I thought it defeated the purpose. I think they are probably only good for people who are grinding their teeth down really far. I think you are right. Too much money for something that she's probably not going to use, and it's not gonna stop her from biting down. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 Well, I was thinking just that. That the mouth guard might make her bite down more. I had one years ago, it was a hard one. I didn't wear it, cause I found I was biting down on it a lot. I thought it defeated the purpose. I think they are probably only good for people who are grinding their teeth down really far. I think you are right. Too much money for something that she's probably not going to use, and it's not gonna stop her from biting down. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 , This is not the purpose of the splint - it's to put the jaw in a neutral position to allow for the muscles to relax at night when she may be the most tense. As a dental assistant from may moons ago, I have seen the positive changes this splint can make in many people's lives and it may just be something that can help your daughter. There are different splints available to try - I recommend the soft rubber ones, they are easier on the teeth and jaw and have some 'give' to them. The hard ones are often difficult for people. I don't know if they are sold in the U.S., but in Canada we can buy ones to make ourselves - it's a pre-fab soft material that you heat up and then bite into and hold for a time to 'customize' the fit - it was created in response to the fact that insurance companies often do not cover this expense here, but the patients were often benefiting from them. This splint doesn't work on everyone, but a great many people have been helped by this simple little appliance. I too suffered terrible TMJ issues, but my issues were unlike anyone else's here and were easily solved through surgery, but I know your frustration and pain! Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 I was having difficulties with TMJ and my doctors and dentist were kind of at a loss of what to do because we had tried the mouth guard (hard) approach but it failed miserably. The biggest issue I found with the guard was that after like only 3 months it didn't fit my mouth anymore because too much had shifted around. My dentist then suggested the thermo mouth gaurd because it has the basic shape but forms to your mouth each night when you drop it in some warm water for 30 seconds. I got this one done almost a year ago and it is great and has really helped. I was able to have it covered by provincial health care, not an easy task mind you but in the long run it is well worth it. It is much better than this one TMJ specialist who wanted to try numerous surgeries on me (all soft tissue) until he found one that worked. I pretty much told him on the spot that I would never be seeing him again!!! Even though I had success with this it doesn't mean it will work for everyone but I just wanted to let you know about my experiences as I had pretty much given up and figured I was just going to have to deal with the pain. Good luck Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 I was having difficulties with TMJ and my doctors and dentist were kind of at a loss of what to do because we had tried the mouth guard (hard) approach but it failed miserably. The biggest issue I found with the guard was that after like only 3 months it didn't fit my mouth anymore because too much had shifted around. My dentist then suggested the thermo mouth gaurd because it has the basic shape but forms to your mouth each night when you drop it in some warm water for 30 seconds. I got this one done almost a year ago and it is great and has really helped. I was able to have it covered by provincial health care, not an easy task mind you but in the long run it is well worth it. It is much better than this one TMJ specialist who wanted to try numerous surgeries on me (all soft tissue) until he found one that worked. I pretty much told him on the spot that I would never be seeing him again!!! Even though I had success with this it doesn't mean it will work for everyone but I just wanted to let you know about my experiences as I had pretty much given up and figured I was just going to have to deal with the pain. Good luck Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 I was having difficulties with TMJ and my doctors and dentist were kind of at a loss of what to do because we had tried the mouth guard (hard) approach but it failed miserably. The biggest issue I found with the guard was that after like only 3 months it didn't fit my mouth anymore because too much had shifted around. My dentist then suggested the thermo mouth gaurd because it has the basic shape but forms to your mouth each night when you drop it in some warm water for 30 seconds. I got this one done almost a year ago and it is great and has really helped. I was able to have it covered by provincial health care, not an easy task mind you but in the long run it is well worth it. It is much better than this one TMJ specialist who wanted to try numerous surgeries on me (all soft tissue) until he found one that worked. I pretty much told him on the spot that I would never be seeing him again!!! Even though I had success with this it doesn't mean it will work for everyone but I just wanted to let you know about my experiences as I had pretty much given up and figured I was just going to have to deal with the pain. Good luck Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 Hi Jeff, Can you tell me more about your mouth guard? has had trouble with his tmj for about 3 years now. Like you I refused to consider any type of surgery for him. If this might possibly work it would be a real gift! C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 Thanks Jeff, I did get a soft one that we put in hot water to shape. I don't think we've gotten it right yet, after about 5 tries. I don't know, but it sounded from the ear dr like a dr in his office makes the guards. I'm wondering if he did it, if it would be covered under our health insurance, rather than going to the dentist and having the dental insurance cover it. The dental insurance doesn't cover much. The health insurance may cover it as a splint or something, kinda like her leg splints. I don't know. But, I do know now that I'm not gonna run to the dentist to get one made. I'll take the slow approach. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 Thanks Jeff, I did get a soft one that we put in hot water to shape. I don't think we've gotten it right yet, after about 5 tries. I don't know, but it sounded from the ear dr like a dr in his office makes the guards. I'm wondering if he did it, if it would be covered under our health insurance, rather than going to the dentist and having the dental insurance cover it. The dental insurance doesn't cover much. The health insurance may cover it as a splint or something, kinda like her leg splints. I don't know. But, I do know now that I'm not gonna run to the dentist to get one made. I'll take the slow approach. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 Thanks Jeff, I did get a soft one that we put in hot water to shape. I don't think we've gotten it right yet, after about 5 tries. I don't know, but it sounded from the ear dr like a dr in his office makes the guards. I'm wondering if he did it, if it would be covered under our health insurance, rather than going to the dentist and having the dental insurance cover it. The dental insurance doesn't cover much. The health insurance may cover it as a splint or something, kinda like her leg splints. I don't know. But, I do know now that I'm not gonna run to the dentist to get one made. I'll take the slow approach. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 You are very welcome , My dental insurance didn't cover it either. I had to get letters from my doctor stating that it was for medical purposes, and that it wasn't a sports gaurd etc. Definitely take your time and do your homework because it is better to know your stuff in the long run... " Measure twice - cut once " once again lots of luck to you Jeff Subject: Re: TMJ - don't do it! > Thanks Jeff, > I did get a soft one that we put in hot water to shape. I don't think we've gotten it right yet, after about 5 tries. > I don't know, but it sounded from the ear dr like a dr in his office makes the guards. I'm wondering if he did it, if it would be covered under our health insurance, rather than going to the dentist and having the dental insurance cover it. The dental insurance doesn't cover much. > The health insurance may cover it as a splint or something, kinda like her leg splints. > I don't know. But, I do know now that I'm not gonna run to the dentist to get one made. I'll take the slow approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 You are very welcome , My dental insurance didn't cover it either. I had to get letters from my doctor stating that it was for medical purposes, and that it wasn't a sports gaurd etc. Definitely take your time and do your homework because it is better to know your stuff in the long run... " Measure twice - cut once " once again lots of luck to you Jeff Subject: Re: TMJ - don't do it! > Thanks Jeff, > I did get a soft one that we put in hot water to shape. I don't think we've gotten it right yet, after about 5 tries. > I don't know, but it sounded from the ear dr like a dr in his office makes the guards. I'm wondering if he did it, if it would be covered under our health insurance, rather than going to the dentist and having the dental insurance cover it. The dental insurance doesn't cover much. > The health insurance may cover it as a splint or something, kinda like her leg splints. > I don't know. But, I do know now that I'm not gonna run to the dentist to get one made. I'll take the slow approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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