Research on TMJ: What treatments work for you?

To know I spent $10,000 because of TMJ and now reading what I have I feel like a fool. Also learned just because a DO causes himself a specialist means nothing as any OD can label himself thus w/o any type of credentials or special training. Oh yes, they want payment up front and no guarantee...Now I get it. I wonder how people that do these kind of things sleep at night???
Now I am even more depressed.

Those of us with TMJ pain will try just about anything to get relief, so please don't beat yourself up. I have been to see so many medical professionals that it makes my head spin. From what I have read, any dentist can call himself/herself a specialist in TMJ pain reduction. There is, as far as I recall, no specialization within the American Dental Association for TMJ pain reduction.

The dentist I used to go to declared himself an "expert" on TMJ pain. There are so many other "experts" in it where I live. One so-called expert fits everyone with a mouthguard--for TMJ pain or for sleep apnea--which, he declares, solves all problems. I have been wearing a dentist-made mouthguard for something like 20 years because I grind my teeth at night. I developed TMJ pain in September 2016, despite my mouthguard. So, no way am I going to this dentist.

An oral surgeon whom I saw did 360-degree x-rays of my mouth and found no joint damage. He told me that I was therefore not a candidate for surgery. That relieved me, actually, because I've read that surgical outcomes for TMJ pain are usually not good. All he could offer me was a prescription for Flexeril, a muscle relaxer.

Next week, I'm going to see one of the few physicians in my state who is approved to prescribe medical marijuana in hopes that that will give me some relief. It's a long process to get approved to take MM. We'll see how that goes.

In the meantime, I cut my Tylenol + codeine tablets (prescribed by my former dentist) in half to make them last longer. Sigh.

Hazel

I don’t know if I have Tmj or not. This not happen too often but all of a sudden. I get a sharp pain on the. Right side of my mouth goes up thru my jaw and settles in my ear. It doesn’t last long but very painful. So do I see a dentist dr. Or oral surgeon.

@sakota Either one should be able to answer your questions. If you have a family dentist start there. You may even try asking you family doctor. Typically an oral surgeon requires a referral.

@sakota9 here’s a link to a great video about TMJ.

Have you noticed it the pain is triggered by any particular action? Like during eating or stressful situations?

Thanks
Dawn

@dawn_giacabazi No I haven’t dawn. Just happens out of the blue. I have had Bell’s palsy twice on that side of the face. And the second time I never fully recovered from it. My mouth droops a little.

@sakota
Hi!
I am NOT a physician or dentist of any kind, but I am a TMJ sufferer. All I can do is share my experiences.
I am currently 63 yo and I was diagnosed over 30 years ago, when TMJ was not well known, or known at all.
One Friday I had a TERRIBLE ear ache, which was something new to me as I never, ever had one before.
I figured I better get to my doctor since it was Friday and I didn't want to get stuck over the weekend with this horrible ear.
He examined me and my ears were perfectly clear and healthy. But my pain was VERY real. He asked me if I had any other symptoms. I did, but I felt silly talking about it. But I did.....
1. ear ache
2. clicking when chewing
3. feeling that my jaw was slipping off the 'hinge'
His eyes enlarged as he told me he knew what I had. It was something he read about in his wife's dental journal, TMJ. He explained that it was a MEDICAL problem dealt with by a DENTIST. (Try telling this to your medical insurance so many years ago)
I cannot remember, because it was so many years ago, but I found a dentist that specialized in TMJ, who treated me. There was NO computer or internet those days so I really don't know how we connected. I did NOT deal with a dental surgeon any time during my treatment.

May I suggest that you start with your doctor just to make sure you do not have anything wrong with your ears. If you don't, then I'd see your regular dentist and see what he/she says.

BTW.....My TMJ developed from inappropriate orthodontic treatment. In the years I wore braces, the orthodontist was more concerned with the way my teeth looked rather than the physiology of moving my teeth. Although my teeth were straight, they were moved into an inappropirate place. This is NOT how all people get TMJ. There are many ways.

Good luck!

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

I was diagnosed after my car accident 1999. At the time it was my chiropractor who diagnosed me. I still see a chiropractor for my treatments when needed & he does help. I currently wear retainers at bedtime with my CPAP machine with rubber bands that helps,. I would have small flare ups that would pass after a few days but I really haven’t had any major problems until a couple weeks ago. I yawned and my jaw locked open. (Not the first time) Had to see my oral surgeon to get it unlock. I also see Physical therapy 3 times a week whi does massage and electrical stem on my neck in the base of my skull which has been helping me. But now my jaw muscles hurt to do the chewing motion. The worst is biting down. I can’t close the teeth together. So I have been eating soft foods. Pudding, applesauce, protein drinks. Nothing that requires any chewing. Talking is not my friend. Trying to rest the muscles as much as I can. But I have damage the temporomandibular joint. The surgeon says they need to brake my jaw and realign it and few other adjustments to fix it. But migraines are a killer and this has certainly triggered some nasty ones for me.

@grandmar
What treatment worked the best for you?

Thanks
Dawn

I have had my jaws lock in the closed position. A scary thing.

@parus
Certainly can cause a bit of a panic attack.
What kind of treatments have you tried?

Curious
Dawn