|
GarySan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 13
Location: Australia
|
New Member: Face And Mouth Open Deviation... Tmd ?
Posted: 05-30-07 12:47pm
|
|
|
|
Hello everybody, I am a new member of this
forum and would just like to say nice to
meet yous all. My name is Gary and I am
from Australia. I am currently an Artist
and a student majoring in Veterinary
Science in Australia Queensland. For quite
many years now have I noticed that my jaw
deviates to the left side when opening and
clicks when trying to move it back to the
middle, creating an asymmetrical face. I
didn't really worry much as a boy and
thought it didn't matter too much. But
recently as I compared my photographs now
with the ones from the past, I have
realised that the deviation of my face/jaw
have become increasingly visible (getting
worst) and maybe contributing to some of
my symptoms such as ear ringing and bit of
headache at times.
I am currently 21 years old and I believe
I noticed my own jaw and smiles deviate to
the left side since i am around 15-16?
Unlike other TMD's i've been reading
about, I don't experience any pain in the
jaw and only the left side to which my
face and smile deviates towards, clicks.
When I open and close my mouth, or just
generally open my mouth and say "eeeeeeek"
(like showing your teeth), my lower jaw
totally miss the centre! While as
mentioned before I don't experience much
pain, there are discomforts however, it's
that the right side of my teeth don't seem
to close properly anymore (the top and
bottom set of teeth don't match!) and
while my left side (that clicks) closes,
it seems to close too much! that is, I
seem to place so much pressure on it and
at night due to this I incontrollably (as
im asleep) keep grinding my teeth. In
fact, I seem to grind my teeth during
daytime too as I can't seem to find a
comfortable position for my jaw.
When I open my mouth to the maximum, my
face or mouth shifts towards the bottom
left corner and I can't seem to control
it. As this happens my neck side muslces
becomes increasingly tensed, as if the
neck side is trying to pull my mouth to
it's side (and I know the muslces are
connected...)  It's got to the
point where even when I talk my friends
ask me why my lips are twisting to the
bottom left of my face. Another thing
about my opened mouth was that while my
mouth shifts to the left, I realised the
set of bottom left side teeth seems to
have moved backwards or moved up compared
to the right side (I.E. the molars on left
side of mouth seems to be closer to the
top set of teeth than the right, can't
open as wide). And of course finally, what
hurts me the most is the effect it has
taken on my facial smile and
pronounciation on words...
As I have been doing singing lessons for
many years it is important for me to
prounounce words properly, but it seems
like I am unable to do so anymore. I am
thinking about giving up singing and
performing now due to this symptom. Plus I
look funny when I sing now anyway due to
my deviated face. My smile is totally
ruined too because when my smile shifts
towards the left it becomes too obvious in
general photoshoots.
I guess it is a tiny relief to say that my
jaw ain't clicking too hard when i move it
left and right and I can still function it
quite normally? But I am unsure of how
long it will last because the discomfort
are becoming more and more apparent due to
my tensed muscles on the left side. Plus
it is fully ruining my facial features
too... which is quite sad because I am a
beautician and hairdresser and I want to
leave a good impression to the customers
when I work.
Im trying to find a good dentist now
around Brisbane here that might specialise
in TMD... But I keep my expectations low.
I've been wondering if my symptoms can be
cured through a process that I read about
named Reduction or something? Where the
push the jaw back to the correct position
with the help of anaesthetic stuff like
that? I do not know much, in fact, I am
not even sure if this is TMD... so I was
just hoping if anyone can share some help
on this Forum? Because if it is... this
sure is ruining my life fast! :'(
Sorry, it's a long story I typed... But I
get a bit depressed when talking about
this and I just needed to let it out I
guess!
Cheers
Gary
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
Posts: 4439
Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 102
Thanked:68
|
Hey There
Posted: 05-30-07 13:34pm
|
|
|
|
|
First off, Welcome Gary----It sounds like
tmd alright. not to worry. you are on the
right track looking for a dentist that
speciaizes in tmd. you want to look for a
neuromuscular dentist. It sounds like a
lot of this is muscle related. I have not
had much success with most of the
treatments available untill i found
neuromuscular dentistry. This particular
dentist works with the teeth and muscles
to make sure that they are working in
harmony and that they dont cause any
further problems. If you need help finding
one I can try but I live in the USA and I
don't know australia very well. Only that
a friend of mine lives there and Id love
to visit. I do know of 3 doctors over
there right off hand but I dont know how
close they are to you. Let me know if you
want them and Ill send you the names. If
they are too far away Ill research it
further. Ill do all I can for you. my
email is [email removed] if you need me.
There is hope. I remember being where you
are. looking at my pictures and saying
that i had it then too. not being able to
talk right----I understand where you are
comming from. I just had surgery as i had
some skelletal problems that needed to be
fixed. Ive not had tmd pain for awhile. so
you see there is hope. keep your chin up
and i will do all i can for you.
SEcond---this is the place to vent to cry
or to pick peoples brains for info.
Dont worry about how long your posts are.
This is the place to do it.
keep in touch and let me know what i can
do for you. 
dyan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 404
Location: Flint, Michigan
|
Posted: 05-30-07 22:06pm
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Gary,
I'm so sorry to read about your jaw
problems. To not be able to sing is so
sad. Even tho you are not in a great deal
of pain at this time, I do believe it is
very important for you to find a good
dentist now. You are young and your jaw
is still pliable.
I'm going to suggest that you seek a
Neuromuscular dentist as Dyan suggests or
someone who works with Functional Jaw
Orthotics (FJO). I just recently myself
heard about this type of practice for
people with TMJ and migraines. I am doing
a lot of reading and finding the theory to
be very credible. I myself believe that
most TMJ is the result of an imbalance in
the jaw or bite. In the research I have
been doing on FJO, I am very impressed.
It specifically works on correcting jaw
and bite balance usually without surgery.
They start with appliances similar to bite
splints to first get rid of any pain you
many be experiencing (Phase I) and then
work at correcting the structural jaw
problems using a wide range of methods
(Phase II).
I am following a young man who just
started this type of treatment and he is
already pain free. He will be start Phase
II pretty soon and I will anxiously follow
his story. Check out the following
website - alpersdental.co.nz (go to the
jaw joint page). I only skimmed thru it
but it looks good.
I hope and pray that you will find the
help you need for your jaw. And hopefully
one day you will be able to sing with no
problems (other than the usual pitch
issues). Please take care and let us know
how you are doing.
God bless...
Carol
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GarySan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 13
Location: Australia
|
Posted: 05-31-07 12:05pm
|
|
|
|
|
I just want to say thank you very much
guys and it truly is heart warming for
responding to my message . I'll be sure to
keep you guys updated with things about my
Jaw, as if it ever cures, it maybe some
sort of referencial help to others on this
site too. Before I commence though
searching hard for a dentist I need to
first go through all my exams though!
which are coming in June 14th, 15th and
16th. After that i'll be on holidays
concentrating on work and while im at that
i'll also spare myself sometime to search
for a suitable TMJ dentist. And I just
sort of searched a few dentist around
brisbane and there seems to be that
neuromuscular dentist that yous talk
about, so i'll sure to consult him soon
when all university assessments are over!
I'm sort of getting excited about seeing
this dentist as I have an instinct inside
me that commutes to me telling me that
he'll be of some help. But I better keep
my expectations lower though! Otherwise
might disappoint myself in the end... But
first... EXAMS! Gee... I hate studying
haha~ =)
Thank you very much again guys for your
kind helps and i'll be sure to keep yous
updated.
Cheers
Gary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 404
Location: Flint, Michigan
|
Posted: 06-02-07 12:36pm
|
|
|
|
|
Gary,
I will pray about your exams. Assessment
time. So stressful. Be careful to keep
your jaw, neck and shoulders as relaxed as
possible. Soak in a hot tub as much as
you can while studying. I pray for all
the best for you.
God bless...
Carol
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
Posts: 4439
Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 102
Thanked:68
|
Hi
Posted: 06-03-07 14:15pm
|
|
|
|
|
soak provided you have a hot tub lol. or
you can use hot wash cloths. just relax
all will be fine. youve got us
praying--what can go wrong?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GarySan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 13
Location: Australia
|
Update
Posted: 06-11-07 03:02am
|
|
|
|
|
just a little message to Dyan . It's just a little
update on things. Lately during some
freetimes from my studies I've found a
Neuromuscular Dentist in Brisbane. I was
willing to travel a bit anyway before even
if Brisbane didn't have any - It's so
great to know that they have'em here.
Apparently he is one of the three around
here, trained in a dental institution of
Las Vegas? Or just the US specialising in
this field. I read all the post from
Jodesters and it seems you have already
found 2 of them out of the 3!  Anyway, His
name is Tony Cassimatis from Coorparoo
Brisbane, quite close to where I live as
well! So i hope to consult him soon. I
read alot about it, how they use special
technologies to treat your muscles etc...
But just wondering if you had any personal
experiences before, just might want to
hear from some people that may have used
it before
Also thanks for the advise about hot tubs
and hot wash cloths and keeping my
shoulders, next and face warm. That's what
i've been constantly doing during my
studies and it's helping out greatly. Not
only does it help relax my muscles it
actually relieves the stress from my
studies haha. At first it kept on making
me fall to sleep because it's so cold here
and having heat pack or clothes around me
was so comfortable haha. But yep, only few
more days before exams so more to come!
Thanks again!
Gary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
Posts: 4439
Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 102
Thanked:68
|
Hey
Posted: 06-11-07 12:57pm
|
|
|
|
|
you are more than welcome.Ill look up this
doc and see what i can find about him. I
have actually found 3 in australia. Ill pm
you the name of the other one.(actually
looks like there are four that I know of
now) Im glad and proud that you found
someone. let me know how you get on.
For my own part If it wernt for my NMd I
would not be where I am today. I had
somewhat instant releif from tmd pain when
wearing my orthotic.Unfortunately I had
another condidtion up there requiring
surgery to correct the whole thing. (My
lower jaw was too big I had posterior
apretognathia--open posterior bite. But
with the knowlege of my doc and his
tenacity to help me Im doing much better.
One thing about NMd they know what they
are doing---they are extreemly knowlegable
and wont give up on you. I have been to
dozens and dozens of doctors and no one
new what to do untill I found NMD. I
wouldnt go anywhere else.
Las vegas Institute is a renound place and
I would only go to a NMD that graduated
from there.
Ill Pm you the name of that doc--let me
know how you get on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GarySan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 13
Location: Australia
|
Australia Neuromuscular Dentist Director
Posted: 07-05-07 07:54am
|
|
|
|
|
Hello everybody! Sorry for my late update!
Completed all my exams (did quite well
lol) and just returned from a holiday from
Wimbledon London. Returned this Monday so
I decided it's about time for me to really
get into it, request for holiday from
work, and solve this my TMJ problem once
and for all before it gets any worst.
Thanks to Dyan and Cat, I have already
found a 'neuromuscular dentist' who seems
quite promising, who apparently is
trained in LVI (like all others) and is
currently the director of Neuromuscular
Dentistry of Australia in Brisbane. I have
booked an appointment with her for
tomorrow and I am currently all pumped up
really looking forward to it! They seem
extremely professional, sending out a
whole pack of information to me about
Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome
(which is TMD) and informing me what to
expect for my first visit to this newer
brand of dentist.
Since from this forum it seems that rarely
anybody is familiar with this type of
dentist, I will definitely keep everybody
updated so hopefully everybody may know
what to expect in the future for their
visit to a neuromuscular dentist and
inform to yous how much help it is Thanks!
Gary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
Posts: 4439
Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 102
Thanked:68
|
Hey
Posted: 07-05-07 12:24pm
|
|
|
|
|
that is good news---however we dont want
to post dr.s names as we could get in
trouble--just a heads up.
if anyone needs to know anything about
neuromuscular dentistry I can help I have
been going to Lvi dentists for the past 4
years and could tell you just about
anything you want to know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GarySan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 13
Location: Australia
|
Long Way Till Treatment
Posted: 07-18-07 01:04am
|
|
|
|
|
Just a little update on things Visited the
Neuromuscular Dentist now and she was
pretty good (what amazed me was the clinic
though, was designed by some award winning
interior designer. It didn't look like a
clinic, it was an artistic modern bar like
lol). Did a few tests and all and she
tested my bite and yeh my bite is pretty
imbalanced so i have to fix it. Cost quite
alot though i'd have to say, 6600 aussie
bucks just for the first phase. But oh
well, to fix this TMD live a bright life
from then on surely worth more than that
right? So i'll do it anyway. As it gets to
phase 2 it'll cost more when i might have
to get braces etc...
But anyway all these out of the way. The
first step for me before i commence my
treatment is to take my wisdom teeth out,
which has been appointed to be on the 8th
of August. Then 3 weeks after the removal
of my 4 wisdom teeth i'll pay my bill and
get myself started on the treatment. So
see yous soon and thanks again
Gary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
Posts: 4439
Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 102
Thanked:68
|
Hey
Posted: 07-18-07 12:10pm
|
|
|
|
|
no problem. im glad that you are going to
her. It may be expensive but it is worth
it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 404
Location: Flint, Michigan
|
Posted: 07-18-07 12:18pm
|
|
|
|
|
That's great Gary! Well, not the money
part, but yes, you are worth it!. And
please do keep us updated.
God bless...
Carol
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GarySan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 13
Location: Australia
|
Removal of 4 Wisdom Teeth - Surgical
Posted: 08-31-07 09:55am
|
|
|
|
|
Hello everybody. It's been a while =) Just
as promised to do a little update on
things. It was my mistake for miswording
the fact that during August it was the
removal of the teeth but it was actually
just a consultation first with the
surgical dentist. My Neuromuscular Dentist
has appointed me to one of the best Oral
and Maxillofacial surgeon around Brisbane
in order to be as conservative as possible
since the surgically removal procedure can
be quite damaging for the jaw joint. All
the complication has been revealed to me
so lets pray I won't acquire any XD My
surgical removal of Wisdom Teeth will be
on the 13th of September in the Redland
private hospital. Lets hope I recover
quick!!! Because I have exams and show
exhibitions coming up again on the 17th
& 19th!! But if possible I might be
able to push them aside with Medical Proof
=) Thanks again everybody and again my
Neuromuscular Dentist procedure will be
approximately 3 weeks after the removal of
my wisdom teeth. So see yous again by
then! Thanks!
Warm Regards
Gary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GarySan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 13
Location: Australia
|
Wisdom Teeth Taken Out!!!
Posted: 09-13-07 05:07am
|
|
|
|
|
Update:
Well it's finally done! My Wisdom teeth
has been removed today on the 13th of
September 2007 at 8:30am in the Redland
Bay hospital. Currently my face and tongue
are all numb and I think the pain would
slowly kick in. Surprisingly my face isn't
all swollen like everybody warned
beforehand. Possibly because this Oral
surgeon is extremely experienced and good
or maybe it slowly kicks in too just like
the pain. But yeh happy to have taken them
out and possibly in 3 weeks from now i'll
be going to visit my Neuromuscular Dentist
when my wounds are healed
Warm Regards
Gary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
Posts: 4439
Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 102
Thanked:68
|
Re: Wisdom Teeth Taken Out!!!
Posted: 09-13-07 15:12pm
|
|
|
|
|
| GarySan
wrote: | Update:
Well it's finally done! My Wisdom teeth
has been removed today on the 13th of
September 2007 at 8:30am in the Redland
Bay hospital. Currently my face and tongue
are all numb and I think the pain would
slowly kick in. Surprisingly my face isn't
all swollen like everybody warned
beforehand. Possibly because this Oral
surgeon is extremely experienced and good
or maybe it slowly kicks in too just like
the pain. But yeh happy to have taken them
out and possibly in 3 weeks from now i'll
be going to visit my Neuromuscular Dentist
when my wounds are healed
Warm Regards
Gary |
exellent. let me know how it goes
|
|
|
|
|
