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.

363 Members

1,146 Posts

0 Online

AuntTammie 08/25/2011

I have to have an upper endoscopy and I know that any dental work has aggravated my TMJ, so I am concerned that the endoscopy will do so, too, since I imagine my mouth will be wide open the whole time.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has had to do this and if it made things worse and if there is anythign I can do to help with it?

deleted_user 08/26/2011

Ask them to use a pediatric bite. Not sure of the specific name of it but they strap it to you and pass the endoscope thru it. The less you have to hold your mouth open the better. Also, tell them of your issues and they may give you a muscle relaxer, to prevent the jaw from spasming.

DoctorT 08/26/2011

Yes it wil absolutely agrivate your jaw joint dysfunction. Make sure you inform the surgeons ahead of time of your problem, and tell them they need to take extra care to not open your mouth too wide.

Minimum of 800 mg naprosyn (alleve) 1 hr prior to surgery. If you can't take anything prior to surgery ask the anesthesiologis to give it to you IV.

Good luck,

Doctor T

AuntTammie 08/26/2011

thanks for the suggestions.....I will definitely ask about the pediactric bite and the meds

sheltoesmom 08/31/2011

I have had two endoscopies after having 2 TMJ surgeries. They went fine. I did tell my doctor about the very limited opening that I have and she did use a very small scope. I was also given a muscle relaxer, as well.
Good luck. You gotta do what you gotta do. If you need the endoscopy....do it.

deleted_user 09/14/2011

i had an endoscopy without sedation which aggravated my TMJ 3yrs ago. my TMJ has been so bad.... BOTOX ended up being my saving grace! it takes about 4weeks for it to kick in but BOTOX is every 12weeks now which helped inmensely! i have some issues which has aggravated my TMJ in the last couple weeks but BOTOX has been the best thing for almost 2 yrs now.....

Join the Conversation