Tmj Or Infection? Will bite plate help? Posted: 12-07-07 15:58pm
Hi there,
I am new here. I had my lower wisdom
teeth pulled about a year ago. Since
having them pulled, I have had 3 more
surgeries to scrape and remove bone
fragments. I have seen 3 different oral
surgeons who claim they see no infection.
I have pain from my ear to my chin, under
my jaw, down the side of my neck and into
the armpits. Also pain in throat and
chest. I have had a ct done showing
enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and
throughout the chest (getting smaller as
they go down). I had blood cultures
showing no infection. I have been on 5
courses of penicillin and am now allergic
to it. I have had a low grade fever for
the past 6 weeks (my doc can't find a
cause) and a swollen throat.
I just saw a tmj dentist who says perhaps
muscle spams are cutting off the lymph
flow causing pain and swelling. He
suggested I get a lower bite plate. He
said I have ground 2 mm off the top front
teeth. He said he thinks I had a problem
and when they pulled the teeth, they
dislocated the disk. It does grind now (to
where others can hear it) on one side and
I can feel it in my ear on the
other...which wasn't like that before.
Could all these problems be tmj? I have
been very dizzy and vomiting almost daily
for about 8 months. I am concerned they
are missing an infection, but also don't
want to have my face cut open again if
they can't find anything! Will (or could)
the bite plate provide that much relief?
Thanks for your time!
JC
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Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4127 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 66
Thanked:51
Posted: 12-10-07 14:23pm
this sounds like a little bit of both
infection and tmd---a splint would help
you out. you dont have to have your face
cut again. i think you should ask for
indepth tests to find the cause and get a
very good tmd dentist(i can help with
that) if you need anythign let me know.
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no user names left
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 5
Thanks For the Reply Posted: 12-11-07 00:19am
Thank you for the reply! Since the dentist
I saw ground down my bottom teeth, some of
the dizziness has gone away:) I had him
order the bite plate, which hopefully
should be here before Christmas. This is
the first dentist I have come across in my
area (Cleveland) that seemed to know
ANYTHING about tmj! He thinks there might
still be an infection, but he said his
approach is to treat "the obvious" first
and see how much pain is left and
where...does that sound right to you? He
said that the muscles could be in such
spasm that they are cutting off the lymph
flow and making the nodes swell and that
sometimes pain is referred to the area
behind the back molars (where the
extraction was) and up into the chin area.
It "sounds good" to me...but maybe I am so
hopefull that someone might finally have
an answer...what do you think?
Thanks again,
JC
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Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4127 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 66
Thanked:51
Posted: 12-11-07 14:35pm
since the muscles are in spasam i think
you should try not only muscle relaxers
but also a neuromuscular dentist. And
remember that just cause he knows
something about tmj doesnt mean that he
knows how to treat it. there are many
doctors that know something and act like
they treat it and act like they are the
best and end up not being who they make
themselves out to be--Ive been through
that a ton of times. if you need to find
a good doctor let me know. Im not saying
your doctor is bad--im just saying be
careful
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no user names left
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 5
Posted: 12-12-07 22:42pm
I have a script for flexeril, but have
been afraid to take it after reading the
side effects. (I am one of those who gets
like 80% of them). I have never heard of a
neuromuscular dentist until I came across
this site. I just don't want to spend a
ton of money on this bite plate (I don't
have insurance) only to have it not work
or make things worse and have to end up
having surgery anyway. This dentist seems
to think tmj can cause all the symptoms I
have been having. I wanted to see if you
agreed, and if the plate really works. (he
wants to crown all the back lower teeth
when it's done to keep it in place) I read
some comments where people said the plate
jammed up the bone even worse. This is
confusing and annoying...my heart goes out
to everyone who has this terrible pain!
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Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4127 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 66
Thanked:51
Posted: 12-13-07 13:25pm
a neruomuscular orthotic wont jam the
bones up into the joint.
you might just want to take the flexeril
and see if you end up with the side
effects. if so dont take it and tell the
doctor about it and see if there is
something else that you can do.
Insurance never (rarely) covers tmj. ive
searched and no place that i have seen
will cover tmj--its an exclusion. so i pay
out of pocket.
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MaggieMay78
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 8
Make Sure There Is No Infection! Posted: 01-08-08 17:50pm
I just read these posts now...I don't mean
to sound scary or alarmist...but it's very
important to make sure that there is no
low-grade infection in your jaw! You need
to find an oral surgeon who is experienced
with these types of infections (they are
hard to find). A bone infection is known
as osteomyelitis. Did anyone do a BIOPSY
when they removed the excess bone
fragments?! A biopsy should have been
done, without a doubt. You need to see
someone who understands this type of
problem, and possibly get a CT scan, MRI,
or bone scan (although bone scan will
almost always be positive or
"inconclusive" soon after
surgery...because it will pick up on the
active bone growth/turnover). Please get
this checked out.
BTW, the whole theory about the lymph
nodes swelling because of the muscles
being tense sounds completely BOGUS.
Swollen lymph nodes are generally an
indication of infection.
Take care, I hope things get better for
you soon.
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catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Posted: 01-08-08 23:32pm
JC, if you live in Michigan and have Blue
Cross, TMJ is a covered benefit. My
appliances are fully paid for as well as
any injections and office visits (IF the
dentist remembers to bill them correctly).
Even surgery is covered if I were ever to
do so. I've even had PT covered when the
neck or shoulder is added to the diagnosis
(which is the truth). There are also
other states who have TMJ coverage
depending on the insurance co; usually not
HBOs or similar, but sometimes.
I do recommend the bite splint if your
pain level is up there and you've tried
self-help methods to no or little avail.
I don't have time right now to post the
self-help tips, but will take the time
tomorrow if you are interested in knowing
them "no user names left" (JC).
God bless...
Carol
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Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4127 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 66
Thanked:51
Posted: 01-09-08 15:27pm
i have no infection and get swollen lymph
nodes all the time. HIs blood work comes
back negative--what i say isnt bogus--i
know what im talking about
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