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Research on TMJ: What treatments work for you?

Posted by HazelBlumberg @hazelblumberg, Aug 15, 2017

This just arrived in my inbox, and I thought some of you might be interested:

TMJ Patient RoundTable Project: Status Update
https://tmj.org/living-with-tmj/tmj-implants/tmj-roundtable-project/
The TMJ Patient RoundTable is also the first patient-led project to be conducted under the auspices of the Medical Device Epidemiology Network (MDEpiNet), a public-private partnership developed to bring real--world data-patient experiences together with a broad array of experts to conduct studies aimed at improving outcomes for implant patients worldwide. The unique aspect of the RoundTable initiative is its patient-centeredness and in that regard, we expect to involve you, the TMJ patients, in aspects of the project as it enfolds.

The TMJ Patient RoundTable was initiated by a need to find out why some TMJ patients have successful outcomes from implant surgery, while others do not. It has evolved into a comprehensive study of all aspects of temporomandibular disorders and how these various aspects interact to affect patient outcomes. The goal is to establish a scientifically valid road map that can reliably predict treatment outcomes for individual patients. The long-term goal seeks to incorporate different study topics into the project as it evolves over time.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

lioness | @lioness | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @dawn_giacabazi "@parus Certainly can cause a bit of a panic attack. What kind of treatments have you..." + (show)
@dawn_giacabazi

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

Curious
Dawn

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@dawn_giacabazi A friend of mine had TMJ but she didn't have her jaw broke like your are saying I will call her and find out what she said . She want in the hospital for this

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1 reply
Dawn, Alumni Mentor | @dawn_giacabazi | Jan 24, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@dawn_giacabazi A friend of mine had TMJ but she didn't have her jaw broke like your..." + (show)
@lioness

@dawn_giacabazi A friend of mine had TMJ but she didn't have her jaw broke like your are saying I will call her and find out what she said . She want in the hospital for this

Jump to this post

@lioness
The surgeon says my bite is off. They would essentially break the jaw and put s screw in the roof of my mouth. They would then periodically adjust the screw to slowly widen my upper jaw so my bite would be aligned by the end of 6-8 weeks. They would clean out some bone chips from me trying to force my mouth to close the first time it locked open many years ago. Sounds like fun!! Sign me up. Uhhh supposed it would be a great diet. Not exactly running to the registration.

TMJ not so fun..
Dawn

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5 replies
grandmaR | @grandmar | Jan 24, 2019
In reply to @dawn_giacabazi "I was diagnosed after my car accident 1999. At the time it was my chiropractor who..." + (show)
@dawn_giacabazi

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

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@dawn_giacabazi
Hi Dawn!
As I mentioned, I went to a dentist who specialized in TMJ. The goal of the treatment was to move my jaw into a position that made it possible for my jaw to relax.
The dentist build me a bite plate that I wore 24/7. It positioned my mouth in an open position (although, I was able to close my lips). Every so often (can't remember how often) I saw the dentist and he would grind the bite plate down. Eventually, the mouth guard was shaved down. It took a while, During the process I would do isometrics with my mouth and use heat therapy.
In the end, this treatment worked well for me. Now, the worse time I have is when I have to go for a long dental appointment. I need breaks. I need to be careful that when I have a filling, that the bite is a good one. I never want t do anything that might throw off my bite.
I know one other person who also had TMJ. She was also treated by a dentist. That dentist decided to realign her teeth, too. He did hers with braces. I don't remember how long her process took, but I do know it was successful.

Hope this helps!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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grandmaR | @grandmar | Jan 24, 2019
In reply to @parus "I have had my jaws lock in the closed position. A scary thing." + (show)
@parus

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

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@parus
Yes, it is. I've had it lock closed and open. It feels like the jaw is 'off its tracks.'
A couple of times I had to go to the dentist to have him put it back on 'the hinge.'
For a quick fix (that sometimes helped), I'd use warm compresses then massage until my jaw would go back into place.
Things like trying not to chew 'chewy' items like a chewy piece of steak or chewing gum can help.
The trick is to try not to overwork your jaw and to be aware of what you are eating (chewing).
If you hear clicking, that could be a sign that you are eating the wrong thing.

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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1 reply
grandmaR | @grandmar | Jan 24, 2019
In reply to @dawn_giacabazi "@lioness The surgeon says my bite is off. They would essentially break the jaw and put..." + (show)
@dawn_giacabazi

@lioness
The surgeon says my bite is off. They would essentially break the jaw and put s screw in the roof of my mouth. They would then periodically adjust the screw to slowly widen my upper jaw so my bite would be aligned by the end of 6-8 weeks. They would clean out some bone chips from me trying to force my mouth to close the first time it locked open many years ago. Sounds like fun!! Sign me up. Uhhh supposed it would be a great diet. Not exactly running to the registration.

TMJ not so fun..
Dawn

Jump to this post

@dawn_giacabazi
I am not an expert, but that sounds like an extreme procedure. I had not surgery of any kind. I personally would not jump right into such an invasive procedure!
Ronnie

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Parus | @parus | Jan 24, 2019
In reply to @grandmar "@parus Yes, it is. I've had it lock closed and open. It feels like the jaw..." + (show)
@grandmar

@parus
Yes, it is. I've had it lock closed and open. It feels like the jaw is 'off its tracks.'
A couple of times I had to go to the dentist to have him put it back on 'the hinge.'
For a quick fix (that sometimes helped), I'd use warm compresses then massage until my jaw would go back into place.
Things like trying not to chew 'chewy' items like a chewy piece of steak or chewing gum can help.
The trick is to try not to overwork your jaw and to be aware of what you are eating (chewing).
If you hear clicking, that could be a sign that you are eating the wrong thing.

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Jump to this post

@grandmar I was in hunting camp in late fall in the Bridger Wilderness in WY the first time this happened. Had not a clue what had happened. I was the wrangler and could not say a word to get those horses moving. I was 23 at the time.
I only eat soft foods which makes it a challenge to eat healthy. Green smoothies are at the top of the food chain. OA has set in too. When I went to the 2nd TMJ specialist I learned my mandibular joint was out of socket. There are ways and I am thankful for blenders!!!

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Jan 24, 2019
In reply to @dawn_giacabazi "@lioness The surgeon says my bite is off. They would essentially break the jaw and put..." + (show)
@dawn_giacabazi

@lioness
The surgeon says my bite is off. They would essentially break the jaw and put s screw in the roof of my mouth. They would then periodically adjust the screw to slowly widen my upper jaw so my bite would be aligned by the end of 6-8 weeks. They would clean out some bone chips from me trying to force my mouth to close the first time it locked open many years ago. Sounds like fun!! Sign me up. Uhhh supposed it would be a great diet. Not exactly running to the registration.

TMJ not so fun..
Dawn

Jump to this post

@dawn_giacabazi You,ve got s good sense of humor about it I,ll let you know what Jan tells me . Not awake yet

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JK | @contentandwell | Jan 24, 2019
In reply to @dawn_giacabazi "@lioness The surgeon says my bite is off. They would essentially break the jaw and put..." + (show)
@dawn_giacabazi

@lioness
The surgeon says my bite is off. They would essentially break the jaw and put s screw in the roof of my mouth. They would then periodically adjust the screw to slowly widen my upper jaw so my bite would be aligned by the end of 6-8 weeks. They would clean out some bone chips from me trying to force my mouth to close the first time it locked open many years ago. Sounds like fun!! Sign me up. Uhhh supposed it would be a great diet. Not exactly running to the registration.

TMJ not so fun..
Dawn

Jump to this post

@dawn_giacabazi The remedy for this sounds terrible! I am amazed at what people go through with this. When I had a recurring problem in my early 20s, each occurrence only lasted a week or two. I had no idea at the time what the problem was.
Dawn, what are you planning to do to get over this? I too would not rush into surgery if there is any other possible solution.
JK

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lioness | @lioness | Jan 24, 2019

@dawn_giacabazi I called Jan this morning but haven't heard from her yet As soon as I do I,ll let you know

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lioness | @lioness | Jan 24, 2019
In reply to @parus "@grandmar I was in hunting camp in late fall in the Bridger Wilderness in WY the..." + (show)
@parus

@grandmar I was in hunting camp in late fall in the Bridger Wilderness in WY the first time this happened. Had not a clue what had happened. I was the wrangler and could not say a word to get those horses moving. I was 23 at the time.
I only eat soft foods which makes it a challenge to eat healthy. Green smoothies are at the top of the food chain. OA has set in too. When I went to the 2nd TMJ specialist I learned my mandibular joint was out of socket. There are ways and I am thankful for blenders!!!

Jump to this post

@parus painting class today yea anxious to see what is taught

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