TMJ Support Group

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ syndrome, is an acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment.

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conflicting info...need help

floridakris
floridakris
Ok so I have read a lot of conflicting information about dsplaced discs being able to be captured by splints. I am asking anyone who knows for a fact(MRI before and after) that has had splint therapy to recapture their discs to please answer. Splint therapy worries me because it seems to be non reversible. How do you know you are a candidate for this? I could really use guidance, thanks
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Floridacris......I do know 2 stories in which tmj disks were recaptured with anterior repositioning orthodics. One was another member off another tmj site...and one is a friend's son. They both are doing very well...I don't know the statistics in which this is actually possible.....it depends on the condiiton of the disks, and of course, the doctor's skills. It can be done.....Mine were actually too damaged to be recaptured, seeing that I've had this for 20yrs. from ortho. done incorrectly on me. There is hope out there.....finding the correct doctor is 99% of the battle.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had splint therapy and I am pain free! I had a upper splint , but the lower ones are good also. I mora was designed by Harold Gelb DMD in New York City. Do the splint therapy and do what the Doc tells you, Mine took 9 months of wearing 24 hours a day and I did not eat with it.
floridakris
floridakris
May I ask who you went to see for your splint? Did you go to Dr. Gelb? Was your disc displacement confirmed by an MRI? I really appreciate you telling me this. I am hoping for an MRI soon and if it's not too late then maybe I can do a splint to recapture. Would love to hear who you went to, thanks again, Florida
deleted_user
deleted_user
I went through Hell and back and that is why I am here! My Doc is Marcel Korn DMD Boston, Mass. Both my disc's were displaced, it's called "internal Derangement" slight and advanced desplacement. I was advanced with ligament damage which you may not be able to fix but if your Doc can get your disc back on the condyle, you won't know you have a ligament issue. the 4 muscles related to TMJ masseter ( lower cheek), temporalis (side of your head above your ear), sternocleidomastoid ( massive neck muscle, the one that is cause alot of your issues) Trapezius( upper back) trigeminal nerve is the pain that is running down your cheek. I had that and it freaking hurts. If you go to the book store and get Taking control of TMJ by Robert O. Uppgaard, DDS It is my daily go to book it saved my life! there are jaw and body exercisers in it and all the symptoms you are experiencing and when you read the book cover to cover you will be so happy your not a nut going to 50 doctors and everyone telling you are depressed! lol Splint therapy was the only thing that helped me!
Tmj is treatable, it's never to late or gone to far. I wrote a list of my symptoms on Cath S questions you can see if we have alot of same ones. good luck, There is a great Dentist in Fort Myers that works with TMJ. My Doc worked under Gelb.