Anyone know about TMJ and jaw joints?
Discussion
Having tremendous problems with my jaw locking - it has been happening for a long time but it locked 10 days ago with a lot of pain and I now lack the ability to open my mouth fully, which does make eating certain foods difficult!
Dentist has given me some exercises and other things to do, but mentioned that I might need surgery on the rounded bit of the jaw that goes into the socket. Looks like I might be getting a referral. The X-ray I had done, complete with all my fillings, is attached. Is anyone on here able to tell me more about what is wrong with it - it's my right hand side, so the left of this x-ray.
Dentist has given me some exercises and other things to do, but mentioned that I might need surgery on the rounded bit of the jaw that goes into the socket. Looks like I might be getting a referral. The X-ray I had done, complete with all my fillings, is attached. Is anyone on here able to tell me more about what is wrong with it - it's my right hand side, so the left of this x-ray.
Edited by Escort2dr on Friday 18th June 19:17
Have you tried a splint or a biteguard yet ? Are you aware of grinding / clenching at night or during the day ?
That is the first line treatment.
After that there is a washout of the joint you mentioned - which is a relatively simple procedure. Or low dose anti-depressant tablets as an alternative. Which option you go for depends on your choice, who you see and the severity of your symptoms.
That is the first line treatment.
After that there is a washout of the joint you mentioned - which is a relatively simple procedure. Or low dose anti-depressant tablets as an alternative. Which option you go for depends on your choice, who you see and the severity of your symptoms.
Edited by sinizter on Friday 18th June 20:04
The jaw joint and associated musculature is a really complicated area- about 1/3 of the population have a clicking jaw, however it seems that your joint has taken a turn for the worse. The cause of locking tends to be the "condylar disc" (a disc that sits between the top and bottom jaws) becoming stuck and effectively jamming the jaw open.
I have a number of patients who have been treated with splints (a piece of plastic that trains your jaw to close into a certain position)- this can then help the disc move in a way that prevents it jamming open or closed.
You really need to find a specialist to help you out- before considering any intervention you need to try all the options (soft diet, excercises, splints.)
I'm based on the South Coast now and would gladly point you in the right direction if you want to pm me.
All the best,
Jim
I have a number of patients who have been treated with splints (a piece of plastic that trains your jaw to close into a certain position)- this can then help the disc move in a way that prevents it jamming open or closed.
You really need to find a specialist to help you out- before considering any intervention you need to try all the options (soft diet, excercises, splints.)
I'm based on the South Coast now and would gladly point you in the right direction if you want to pm me.
All the best,
Jim
Many thanks for the replies. I thought the dentist would prescribe some sort of mouth guard - I do grind my teeth during the day, but not sure about at night. I have been told to chop food and not bite into it, to stop grinding, and to do some jaw opening against my fist twice a day for 10 mins each.
I will see if that helps but I wondered where it is likely to lead if this doesn't work.
PM on its way
I will see if that helps but I wondered where it is likely to lead if this doesn't work.
PM on its way
http://www.vitalia-health.co.uk/acatalog/Freedom_f...
I've had great success with these CD's for other areas in the last 2 yrs such as weight loss and study.
A bit different, but you don't have to do anything as such. I play them at background level when in the office. All you hear is nature sounds or waves.
Good luck.
Nick
I've had great success with these CD's for other areas in the last 2 yrs such as weight loss and study.
A bit different, but you don't have to do anything as such. I play them at background level when in the office. All you hear is nature sounds or waves.
Good luck.
Nick
I had a splint made by my dentist about 12 months ago, and it's worked very well. Overall the problems I had from TMJ have subsided significantly. 
The problem arose agan recently on my 4th day in Le Mans - from eating French bread!
I don't know if these splints are covered by the NHS in the UK, but my local Caisse Nationale de Santé refunded 80% of the €300 cost based on the dentist's prior request to them
The problem arose agan recently on my 4th day in Le Mans - from eating French bread!
I don't know if these splints are covered by the NHS in the UK, but my local Caisse Nationale de Santé refunded 80% of the €300 cost based on the dentist's prior request to them
retreat said:
The jaw joint and associated musculature is a really complicated area- about 1/3 of the population have a clicking jaw, however it seems that your joint has taken a turn for the worse. The cause of locking tends to be the "condylar disc" (a disc that sits between the top and bottom jaws) becoming stuck and effectively jamming the jaw open.
Jim
While I'd agree with most of your post in terms of intervention, I think the main cause of trismus (which is what the OP is describing) is lateral pterygoid going into spasm, with contribution from medial pterygoid also. Jim
There has been no report of the OP locking open
Regards
WG
chris.mapey said:
If you want a PM chat about TMJ then pop me a message, and I'll get the wife to email you, she had surgery a few years ago and can run you through a bit of background if that helps
It's always great to talk to others in the same situation, but please understand that surgery is an option that is well into the future with the symptoms that you are describing. There are lots of other non-invasive interventions to try first!Thought I would post an update as I finally got to see a specialist yesterday (NHS, very good). He has told me I need to rest my jaw for a few weeks by avoiding clenching my teeth and to go on a soft diet; also to get the dentist so sort out a mouth guard. I've another appointment at the back end of January.
He seemed to think that the disc may have slipped causing it to click, and then somehow got caught on the jaw causing it to lock (my interpretation). Unfortunately the halfwit dentists took the x-ray off me and didn't forward it to the specialist so he wasn't able to comment on that.
If this doesn'r work, a flush might be the next stage, but surgery is pretty unlikely (thankfully).
Thanks to all who contributed on here.
ETA: mouth opening 24mm compared to 35mm typically.
He seemed to think that the disc may have slipped causing it to click, and then somehow got caught on the jaw causing it to lock (my interpretation). Unfortunately the halfwit dentists took the x-ray off me and didn't forward it to the specialist so he wasn't able to comment on that.
If this doesn'r work, a flush might be the next stage, but surgery is pretty unlikely (thankfully).
Thanks to all who contributed on here.
ETA: mouth opening 24mm compared to 35mm typically.
Edited by Escort2dr on Sunday 3rd October 15:20
Way back when I was about 18, I started with this, it was down to grinding my teeth in my sleep, my dentist couldn't help, so he referred me to the dental hospital in Manchester.
First I was fitted with what can only be described as braces, with a plate that rested against the roof of my mouth, and metal wires over the top back teeth to stop them connecting wiht my bottom teeth, this was to wear at night time, it became a hunt every morning to find the damn thing as I got good at spitting it out in my sleep.
Next was the whole of the bottom teeth being fitted into a guard, again to stop the teeth connecting, that lasted a while and was actually putting a stop to it.
Now, 20odd years on, I only grind when stressed, but still cannot open my mouth very wide for long times and still have to lay off the midget gems
First I was fitted with what can only be described as braces, with a plate that rested against the roof of my mouth, and metal wires over the top back teeth to stop them connecting wiht my bottom teeth, this was to wear at night time, it became a hunt every morning to find the damn thing as I got good at spitting it out in my sleep.
Next was the whole of the bottom teeth being fitted into a guard, again to stop the teeth connecting, that lasted a while and was actually putting a stop to it.
Now, 20odd years on, I only grind when stressed, but still cannot open my mouth very wide for long times and still have to lay off the midget gems
Escort2dr said:
Thought I would post an update as I finally got to see a specialist yesterday (NHS, very good). He has told me I need to rest my jaw for a few weeks by avoiding clenching my teeth and to go on a soft diet; also to get the dentist so sort out a mouth guard. I've another appointment at the back end of January.
He seemed to think that the disc may have slipped causing it to click, and then somehow got caught on the jaw causing it to lock (my interpretation). Unfortunately the halfwit dentists took the x-ray off me and didn't forward it to the specialist so he wasn't able to comment on that.
If this doesn'r work, a flush might be the next stage, but surgery is pretty unlikely (thankfully).
Thanks to all who contributed on here.
ETA: mouth opening 24mm compared to 35mm typically.
I can open at least 50mm...is this a record?He seemed to think that the disc may have slipped causing it to click, and then somehow got caught on the jaw causing it to lock (my interpretation). Unfortunately the halfwit dentists took the x-ray off me and didn't forward it to the specialist so he wasn't able to comment on that.
If this doesn'r work, a flush might be the next stage, but surgery is pretty unlikely (thankfully).
Thanks to all who contributed on here.
ETA: mouth opening 24mm compared to 35mm typically.
Edited by Escort2dr on Sunday 3rd October 15:20
Good luck! I had this problem to the extent that I struggled to open my mouth. It was caused by extreme stress and anxiety. Best thing is to address the route cause of the stress. (Believe me you may not think you are stressed but grinding is a key indicator. My friend does it and she swears blind she isn't stressed.) A mouth guard is an idea but I avoided it. I re-evaluated nmy life instead Try a glass of wine to wind down or better still chamomile tea. Massage too is a great way of relieving tension.
I saw a specialist at Sheffield Dental Hospital and he advised against surgery. I avoided eating apples (upon his advice) for almost twenty years and avoid hard toffees.
Try a glass of wine to wind down or better still chamomile tea. Massage too is a great way of relieving tension.I saw a specialist at Sheffield Dental Hospital and he advised against surgery. I avoided eating apples (upon his advice) for almost twenty years and avoid hard toffees.
It's fair to say I am pretty stressed and always have been. The question is how I can do anything about it - two young children and a lot of responsibility at work don't help, and little time to do things at the weekend that are 'for me'. I do tend to find I clench my teeth a lot of the time, particularly when driving (and I am up to about 40,000 miles a year again now).
I suppose it's something that I'll have to put up with
I suppose it's something that I'll have to put up with
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff