TMJ treatment

[imagcpunkergurl]

Hello,

My jaw has been locked on one side for about a week now, but I am not in any pain.  I saw a specialist yesterday who took and xray and suggested getting a splint to wear at night to help the problem.  One of the memories that has stuck with me for many years about going to the dentist is getting dental impressions done.  I have a very sensitive gag reflex, and who wants to willingly go have that stuff shoved halfway down their throat?  Looking around online, I can see that there are many different types of splints out there.  I was wondering if one is made to wear on your bottom teeth and not your top teeth (which sounds like those work better anyways) do they need to take impressions of both sets of teeth, or just the bottom?  I think I can handle getting the bottom one done, but I'm not so sure I can handle getting the top done again.  Any advise from those who have one of these or who have used one before would be greatly appreciated since I am just starting out on my journey!

Thanks!

[LivingInHope]

Dr. Mehregan and imagcpunkergurl,

Please note, I said I had not heard of a lower splint.  My knowledge was less than the Dr.'s, obviously on this score.
  I did not say she should get a flat planed splint, I said that's what I have.  I do not know exactly what her issues are.  I have arthritis in both joints.  Two well-trained maxillofacial specialists/surgeons told me what type of splint I specifically needed.

I want to encourage imagcpunkergirl, check into the specialist you saw.  If the schooling and experience they've had makes them well qualified to judge what they've personally seen in your particular case, it's worth trying their recommendation of the kind of splint they recommend for you and see if it helps you.  

[Ramin Mehregan, DMD]

Dear patient
Unlike the suggestions of "SurgiMenopause", a lower "splint" is the way to go. In addition it should not be flat either. A splint that you wear at night is not a solution neither treatment for TMJ disorders. It simply is there to protect your teeth from further damage. Unfortunately you have to go through impressions of both top and bottom jaws, in order to properly relate them together.
I have written 3 articles on this blog on the subject of TMJ. Please refer to them and I recommend you find a dentist who is trained in treating TMJ. There are only a handfull who really know how to diagnose and treat. Please visit www.top3dentist.com or www.aacfp.com

[LivingInHope]

I've not heard of a splint just for the bottom teeth.  They make impressions for the top and the bottom.  I have a flat-planed hard splint.  It is not pleasant getting the impression on top, but I've live through that experience on more than one occasion.  It's worth it in the long run for me.