Hello Everyone,

I am having some severe problems with my TMJ right now. I have had some instances of TMJ all of my life...but they always seemed to resolve themselves with time.

However, after having my daughter I had dental problems and ended up with one tooth extracted, another crown removed due to decay under it, and a root canal. The extracted tooth and the root canal tooth were next to each other and they placed a bridge on it. To make a long story short, the root canal failed...dentist thought I was deliusional...but it hurt to eat on that side of my mouth so I favored the other when chewing and my TMJ started up again. Months past...and finally the doctor realized that the root canal had indeed failed and also the tooth underneath was broken so removed the tooth and some jaw and told me that I had to go without a temperary while it healed. Once this happened the locking started.

My jaw clicked, poped, ground, and temporily locked for the 2 weeks until I could get the temporary bridge in. While the doctor was putting the bridge in my jaw locked...and I have not been able to open it completly since.

I went into a maxiofacial doctor and had a splint made (the reason I didn't get this sooner was that I was fighting with my insurance - and lost - so the $850 came out of pocket ugh) which I have worn for 2 weeks 24/7 with no relief. I have also been to the ER which could do nothing for me. I am in pain - my ear hurts (especially in the morning if I try to yawn) and my mouth will open about an inch and a half - enough to eat...but chewing still hurts.

Is this going to end? Is their anyway that I can unlock it? I feel almost claustrophobic and it is playing with my emotions - My doctor is just telling me to keep using the splint and it will unlock - I don't see it budging!!! Please help!!!

Thank you!!