Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Hi Andy, I'm really sorry about your orthodontist appointment. > > I'm so incredibly frustrated. He presumed to tell me that even > getting an MRI is pointless because he knows there's something wrong > with my joints, but getting one " would defeat the purpose, " and I > just don't get it. He probably doesn't treat TMJ problems and therefore wouldn't feel comfortable ordering an MRI or knowing how to interpret the results. The surgeon who did my orthognathic surgery doesn't treat TMJ surgery so he referred me to a specialist who does. The TMJ specialist was the one who ordered my MRI. It gave him a better idea of what exactly was going on in the joints so he could base his treatment plan on that. He was just going to do arthroscopy at first but the MRI showed a lot more problems than he anticipated so I ended up with an open joint procedure. Hopefully you won't need any surgery but you'll need a TMJ specialist to decide the best treatment for you. > > He told me to wear my retainer every other night to let my " bite > settle. " In about a month, I have to come back home and have a " bite > plate, " basically the equivalent of a bite splint made -- which I > don't remember him EVER mentioning to me, although he said he did. > > This really mystifies me - I've had one before and it's the reason my > bite originally started to open more than it already was. Splints are often used to treat TMJ disorders. They help by keeping your teeth slightly apart which somehow reduces stress on the joints. If they're made right, they shouldn't open up your joint. I've worn a splint for the last nine months and I do have less pain when wearing it. > > On top of that, the guy just kept on stroking his ego saying what a > wonderful job he did, and I just kept on thinking " yea, you lined up > the teeth, but the surgeon did the hard part, jerk! " By the way, I saw your pictures. Your teeth do look great but what good does a perfect bite do if it's not functional??? > > A funny fact, is that my ortho doesn't even have a drug license > because he doesn't believe in it. Now, I'm not exactly a drug pusher, > but when I have days where I feel I can't move without pain in my > mouth/back/neck, etc... I need SOMETHING, and he just told me to > deal. Nice guy, huh? When you see a specialist, you can get stronger pain meds (which only mask the pain temporarily but do nothing for the inflammation in the joints) but in the meantime there a few things you can do yourself. Anti-inflammatories are one of the mainstays of TMJ treatment. You can buy several over the counter like ibuprofen (also known as Motrin or Advil) or naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn) to name a few. You do get some pain relief with the first dose but it usually takes 3-4 days of taking them as prescribed for the anti- inflammatory effect. > > Anyways - enough ranting. That's my update so far. > > Thanks for listening Rant away. You have every reason to be frustrated. I hope you find some relief soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Hey Andy, No worries about the rant. A work colleague also has TMJ and wears a splint too. As has alluded, a splint can help with relieving the stress on the joints. Perhaps I can ask my work colleague for some advice next week and get back to you. I also haven't forgotten about asking some of my symphony friends about numbness and playing brass instruments. Take care and give me a ding on AIM next week or so. on > Hi Andy, > I'm really sorry about your orthodontist appointment. > > > > > I'm so incredibly frustrated. He presumed to tell me that even > > getting an MRI is pointless because he knows there's something > wrong > > with my joints, but getting one " would defeat the purpose, " and I > > just don't get it. > > He probably doesn't treat TMJ problems and therefore wouldn't feel > comfortable ordering an MRI or knowing how to interpret the results. > The surgeon who did my orthognathic surgery doesn't treat TMJ > surgery so he referred me to a specialist who does. The TMJ > specialist was the one who ordered my MRI. It gave him a better idea > of what exactly was going on in the joints so he could base his > treatment plan on that. He was just going to do arthroscopy at first > but the MRI showed a lot more problems than he anticipated so I > ended up with an open joint procedure. Hopefully you won't need any > surgery but you'll need a TMJ specialist to decide the best > treatment for you. > > > > He told me to wear my retainer every other night to let my " bite > > settle. " In about a month, I have to come back home and have > a " bite > > plate, " basically the equivalent of a bite splint made -- which I > > don't remember him EVER mentioning to me, although he said he did. > > > > This really mystifies me - I've had one before and it's the reason > my > > bite originally started to open more than it already was. > > Splints are often used to treat TMJ disorders. They help by keeping > your teeth slightly apart which somehow reduces stress on the > joints. If they're made right, they shouldn't open up your joint. > I've worn a splint for the last nine months and I do have less pain > when wearing it. > > > > On top of that, the guy just kept on stroking his ego saying what > a > > wonderful job he did, and I just kept on thinking " yea, you lined > up > > the teeth, but the surgeon did the hard part, jerk! " > > By the way, I saw your pictures. Your teeth do look great but what > good does a perfect bite do if it's not functional??? > > > > > A funny fact, is that my ortho doesn't even have a drug license > > because he doesn't believe in it. Now, I'm not exactly a drug > pusher, > > but when I have days where I feel I can't move without pain in my > > mouth/back/neck, etc... I need SOMETHING, and he just told me to > > deal. Nice guy, huh? > > When you see a specialist, you can get stronger pain meds (which > only mask the pain temporarily but do nothing for the inflammation > in the joints) but in the meantime there a few things you can do > yourself. Anti-inflammatories are one of the mainstays of TMJ > treatment. You can buy several over the counter like ibuprofen (also > known as Motrin or Advil) or naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn) to name a > few. You do get some pain relief with the first dose but it usually > takes 3-4 days of taking them as prescribed for the anti- > inflammatory effect. > > > > Anyways - enough ranting. That's my update so far. > > > > Thanks for listening > > Rant away. You have every reason to be frustrated. I hope you find > some relief soon. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.