Tmj- Constant Pain/dizziness- Question About Diagnosis Posted: 02-06-06 09:27am
I've just been 'diagnosed with tmj and I
was wondering if anyone could give me some
information specific to my case.
3 months ago I had my upper-left wisdom
tooth pulled. Afterwards my jaw felt very
stiff on the left side and I had some pain
when yawning and chewing. A few weeks ago
I developed a very painful infection in my
left ear. After various treatments it
eventually cleared up but I was still in
tremendous pain. I was told to visit my
dentist.
I'm from the uk but I live and work in
germany and I don't speak german. My
dentist doesn't speak much english so it's
quite difficult to communicate my problem.
Before my appointment I did some research
on the internet and I learned about tmj,
realizing I had all the symptoms.
Constant jaw/ear pain, a feeling of
fullness in my ears, dizziness, a kind of
'chronic fuzz' that affects my
concentration. I also clench and grind my
teeth in my sleep.
I went to the dentist and told him I
thought it was tmj. He spent 30 seconds
examing my jaw then had his assistant
prepare a bite plate that i'd have to wear
at night. It will be ready in a couple of
days, but i'm in absolute agony. I take
maximum doses of ibuprofen and paracetamol
but it has zero effect on my pain.
I read that, for a proper diagnosis, the
dentist should have taken x-rays and
performed various other tests. In this
case, he spent 30 seconds examining my jaw
before accepting my self-diagnosis.
So, my questions are: should I demand an
x-ray or a referral to another dentist?
What is the usual process of diagnosis?
Is it possible that the bite plate is not
the right treatment for me given his hasty
diagnosis? Is there anything I can do
about the pain in the meantime? It's
constant pain, not just when I move my
jaw.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Posted: 02-08-06 06:12am
Hi martin in germany,
oh dear, this is a complicated situation.
Tmj is a complicated disorder. X-rays
are not absolutely necessary. Someone
can have tmj with the disc in or out of
joint. And the bite splint is the first
and most reliable treatment for tmj.
Just make sure that it is adjusted and
usually it will need to be adjusted from a
few times to several times. There are
different kinds of bite splints and it
difficult sometimes to know which kind a
person needs or will respond best to, but
give it a fair try for at least a month
before thinking a different kind is
needed. And all your symptoms are
typical tmj symptoms, sorry.
Pain meds usually do not work, even
stronger stuff even though I have never
tried morphin or oxycontin. I have had
the best pain relief from vicoprofen but
not always. You might ask for some
valium or a muscle relaxant (flexerill).
Use lots of moist heat and ice (which ever
one works best for you). Get a referral
to a physical therapist or go to a massage
therapist. Eat only liquid or soft foods
for a few weeks to months. Pay attention
to your posture. Check out the following
websites for tmj information and
exercises, etc.:
the first two websites are particularly
good. Unfortunately, getting wisdom
teeth pulled results in tmj to too many
patients. Oral surgeons should be more
careful and know better. Usually it has
to do with how wide your mouth had to be
and the pressure that was put on the joint
when the teeth were pulled.
I hope this information has been helpful
for you and that you will be feeling
better soon. I pray the best for you.
God bless…
carol
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martingermany
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 3
Posted: 02-08-06 08:04am
Hi catswold,
thanks so much for your reply. You've
been very helpful.
I went to the dentist today but the bite
splint didn't fit correctly so they are
making another one. I have some
medication, oxaceprol, but it doesn't seem
to affect the pain. I'll take your advice
and look into other forms of treatment.
