TMJD Group (Temporomandibluar Joint Dysfunction)

[Heavenx]

Hi,

I thought I would create this group for those of us who suffer TMJD. I have suffered for a number of years now but am only just about to begin dental treatment for it. I understand that there are many causes of TMJD and one cause is labour, the strain of gritting and grinding your teeth/jaw whilst pushing during labour can bring on TMJD.
It is a complex disorder which unfortunately many can suffer the symptoms for a long time, visiting Doctors and Dentists numerous times without any joy.

I hope that this can become a place to share our stories of the horrors of TMJD, share our treatment plans, tips for coping with the many symptoms, give advice and support.

It can be a very lonely disorder, especially for those who are suffering but have not yet had it confirmed or only just had it confirmed and don't know where to turn for support.

I am always happy to listen and offer advice where I can.

 

[Heavenx]

My TMJD story
(Sorry it's long)

I was 25 when a click appeared in the left side of my jaw, I thought nothing of it until the click became more and more uncomfortable. When I was 25 I had a tooth removed and a filling, on both occassions I woke up the next day with my jaw feeling out of place and my bite was different, I had teeth on the bottom and top row sitting on each other where previously they hadn't I was a bit worried about it but after a few days my bite went back to it's usual position so I didn't bother going to see the dentist about it. By the time I was 28 I needed another tooth removed, this time I mentioned my 'off bite' following my last 2 dental treatments and I was told it was a problem with the jaw muscles tensing. I also mentioned my click and the dentist suggested I had TMJD, I ws referred to the dental hospital.

I was seen at the dental hospital by 4 surgeons and half a dozen students, I felt like I was being used as an experiment for the dental students to research on, all taking it in turns to measure my face and prod my face etc, I was never actually spoken to apart from when the surgeons concluded that I needed a number of surgeries and it would be 10 years of on going treatment. I was scared off so I never returned for further appointments.

On New Years Day this year, my jaw clicked in an unusal way, leaving my bite very different to normal, I was in a lot of pain and discomfort for a month, unable to eat anything but soups, yoghurts and smoothies. I decided to go back to the dental hospital for another check up, this time I was told that I apparently grind my teeth causing the TMJD and would need to wear a splint to stop the grinding. knowing full well that I don't grind my teeth and somewhat bemused by the fact that a few years ago I was told I needed 10 years of treatment including surgery and this time all I was told I needed was a splint, I once again decided not to go back but to research TMJD for myself and to find a practitioner who I felt I could trust in their diagnosis and treatment plan for me.

I have been seeing an Osteopath for the past couple of months and he has explained to me my TMJD making it perfectly understandable the cause and why the symptoms are all over my body not just my head and face. The treatment he has performed is helping to improve symptoms.

Yesterday I saw a specialist consultant dentist who my osteopath referred me to and he has concluded in a 5 year treatment plan, still a long time but at least not as long as 10 years! I will need a splint for my bottom row of teeth, to be worn 24/7 for 6-12 months so as to correct my jaw position and then work can begin on my teeth, I'll need a brace, a couple of wisdom teeth extracted and maybe a couple of implants.

It sounds scary stuff and I am very nervous about the physical, emotional and financial impact all of this is having & will continue to have on me and my family. It's going to be a hard slog but I believe SO worth it in the end.

Sorry this has been long but there's so much to TMJD that I find it difficult not to waffle on lol.

 

[MoonMuffin]

Hi! I've had it for years, though I guess its not too serious since the doc I saw told me I had it but never asked me to come back (I think he was new though he was very young) and my parents thought nothing of it. But I'm constantly hearing clicking/popping sounds (every time I move my jaw at all). My jaw also opens funny (like it swivels sideways before going into place in the open position off center a bit. Only thing the doc said to me was to not chew gum, which I don't anyways cause it makes the popping louder and more annoying. I have had all my wisdom teeth removed, but was still in high school at the time, but I think it was more to do with them about to be impacted. I've not had very much pain, just this constant popping/clicking which drives me mad if I'm paying attention to it. Maybe I should see a specialist though? Is it something that can get worse over time? I guess I really don't know much about it.

 

[Heavenx]

Hi MoonMuffin, unfortunately it can get worse and the problem is trying to find a dentist who understands the disorder and knows how to treat it correctly. Although if you're in Canada or USA you've a better chance of finding a dentist clued up about the disorder than here in the UK. I am a more severe case so I need intensive treatment, if I don't treat it now then I'll be needing surgery for jaw joint replacement and the consequences of that are risky.
It's a TMJ specialist dentist that you'd need to see, it is probably worth seeing one for a consultation, they'll want to take an x ray to look at your jaw joints, treatment is usually just a splint, but as I say mine is severe so not everyone with TMJ will need teeth out,or to wear a brace etc. TMJ can cause symptoms throughout the body so if you're suffering with headaches, shoulder aches & pain or hip clicks as well, then it's definitley worth seeing a TMJ specialist about.
Good luck & if I can offer any advice I'll try x

 

[Waiting4Bump]

Oh wow. I have a funny jaw. I mean, everytime I open my mouth, it feels like my jaw pops out of place & it clicks. Some days it's so painful, & gets stuck in a wierd position.

Could that be this? x

 

[Heavenx]

Hi Waiting4Bump, what you described are definitley symptoms of TMJ, in the jaw joint there is a disc which is there to support the smooth movement of our jaws opening and closing when talking and chewing food, the click is because the disc isn't doing it's job properly. The best place to start is with your dentist, if you go to your GP, he or she will refer you to your dentist anyway because GP's can't do anything to treat TMJ. They can of course prescribe pain relief and muscle relaxants though. I advise you see your dentist because if left then it unfortunately will more than likely get worse.
Just bare in mind though that not all dentists will know how to best treat TMJ and you may be referred to a dental hospital where they hold TMJ clinics and you'll be able to see a specialist, there are 200 TMJ clinics around the UK but treatment options on the NHS are limited,I've recently discovered that the best treatment plan is provided privately and is costly. It's the road I'm choosing to take so as to avoid surgery though.

If you want any advice I'm happy to try to help. x

 

[MoonMuffin]

Hi MoonMuffin, unfortunately it can get worse and the problem is trying to find a dentist who understands the disorder and knows how to treat it correctly. Although if you're in Canada or USA you've a better chance of finding a dentist clued up about the disorder than here in the UK. I am a more severe case so I need intensive treatment, if I don't treat it now then I'll be needing surgery for jaw joint replacement and the consequences of that are risky.
It's a TMJ specialist dentist that you'd need to see, it is probably worth seeing one for a consultation, they'll want to take an x ray to look at your jaw joints, treatment is usually just a splint, but as I say mine is severe so not everyone with TMJ will need teeth out,or to wear a brace etc. TMJ can cause symptoms throughout the body so if you're suffering with headaches, shoulder aches & pain or hip clicks as well, then it's definitley worth seeing a TMJ specialist about.
Good luck & if I can offer any advice I'll try x

Well that would explain why I get headaches so often

 

[Suz]

I have TMJ... I hate it. every time I chew.... Click Click Click... but I just ignore it. There is not much that can be done I guess. I have a night guard but it makes me grumpy every time I ware it... so I dont ware it. I avoid real chewie things and dont have jewky. It also limits me from a few other things but other than that... I just live with it....