TMJ problems for years

[Taz lover]

I was told by my dentist about 6 or 7 years ago I had TMJ.  He fitted me with a mouth guard which I used at night for quite a while.  It didn't seem to help, and I decided to stop using it.  The last year or so I have had alot of tenderness on the left side of my neck and having extremely bad pain on that side of the back of my head.  I have shoulder pain, also, at times.  Years ago I started having migrains, about 21 years ago, when I was pregnant, and continue to have them on an off.  At times my jaw and this pain in my head are so nagging, at almost makes me crazy.  I was wondering if braces would help.  My bite is so off to one side, I just would like some help.  I live in a really small town with not much available to me in the way of professional help.  Is an ortho. my best bet for help?  

[mogus]

I also have suffered from tmj for many many years. At first, I thought I actually had a brain tumor, I was feeling that wierd! I felt like my vision was off center, I had shoulder pain, neck pain. sinus problems, and stuffy itchy ears,and feelings of being off balance. I was told its all in my mind ,but that was back some years ago. I eventually got an ortho who put me on a night guard.. i  would grind my teeth so hard at night I cracked the dang thing!  The night guard didnt seem to help me much, as I was just grinding, and biting on it. It might have saved some teeth, but didnt help my tmj in the least. But the tens machine was a blessing, and really relaxed me and got my blood flowing.
I have a very bad bite, and arthritis on the left side of my jaw. So im in braces now, and the stuffiness in my sinuses has cleared up, but the dizzy feeling is still there. Im also on motrin 800 mls, and celexa, and xanax. Ive only been in these braces for a month, so maybe down the rd, things will get even better. I this point, im willing to try anything for relief. good luck to you!!

[BOOPADOOP14]

TMJ IS OFTEN FROM A DENTIST. IT ONLY GETS WORSE AS TIME GOES ON, NOT BETTER. SEE A NEUROLOGISTS TO GET MEDS FOR YOUR MIGRAINS, THEY WON'T GO AWAY. I AM ON CYMBALTA WHICH CONTROLS PAIN AND DEPRESSION. I ALSO AM ON NARCOTICS AND MUSCLE RELAXERS. THEY SEEM TO HELP BUT I HAVE LOST ALL THE CARTLIDGE IN MY FACE AND HAVE A HURNIATED DISC IN THE JAW. I AM DISABLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. YOU NEED A TMJD MRI TO PROVE ANYTHING. HOPE YOU HAVE GOOD INSURANCE.  

[Tee503]

I have TMJ and from it I now have  shoulder, neck, face...pain too.  My jaw was dislocated by a dental assistant who yanked  far to many times-- and by my dentist. Check to see if there have been other people with a sudden case of TMJ after seeing this dentist.  In my town I have found three other people who obtain TMJ after visiting this Castaic dental office. Please note,I was told by another dentist that it is very important to see a TMJ specialist or other bad things would continue to happen.  I was told that it takes 1 to 2 years to locate jaws that have been dislocated. Night gaurds don't help jaws that go to the side such as mines and yours. Please note, my jaw goes to the side because it was yanked to the side so please check that out.  A short term solution that helps me is accupunture.  I  have to go about once a week .  There was a time that I missed  two appointments and the pain was so bad that I could not function.   I know it is very painful but you are not alone,   Tee503

[scottma]

Dear Taz:
      Your problems are probably related to TMD. Braces are generally not helpful to solve your problem. If you have top wisdom teeth and lower second and wisdom teeth present, the first thing is to remove top wisdom teeth.Occlusal appliance is generally very effective for your problems.However, not all dentists can fabricate a perfected occlusion through night guard. You need to find a hjghly competent dentist to fabricate a night guard for you. For the time being, you can place a cotton roll or something similar between yuor front teeth to disclude posterior teeth, which maneuver may help. However, definite treatment requires a well constructed occ;usal appliance.Good luck'