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Q: TMJ symptoms - treatment ?
asked by: mstrombe on September 23rd, 2008
Experienced User
Over the past few years I have been experiencing very minor TMJ symptoms that seem to come and go. They usually last a few days to a week and then go away for a few months. It is crackling noises that seem to come out of nowhere (sometimes while eating and sometimes not) and popping which sometimes happens when I yawn or open my mouth widely. I brought this up at my dentist appointment last year and the Dr. told me not to worry about it unless I'm feeling pain. I have no pain but the crackling noises are very disturbing. Should I look into this futher/get treatment? Thanks!
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manager58084708
replied on September 24th, 2008
New User
Not to worry about it?! Get a better dentist. Else it'll probably get worse as time passes and more damage accumulates. I went thru exact same thing, and now wish I'd acted a lot earlier. It took a lot of (expensive) splint therapy to get everything fixed. But it's better than being in pain or ending up needing surgery. During the day I wear a regular splint, and at night I wear a splint (a bionator), which keeps my top and bottom jaws in alignment, moves the lower jaw forward, opens up the TMJ's, and also prevents me from grinding my molars. Now I have no pain or clicking in my TMJs.
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mstrombe
replied on September 24th, 2008
Experienced User
thanks for your reply! i didnt know that TMJ can worsen over time. i will make a dentist appointment as soon as i can. thanks!
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mwultsch
replied on September 27th, 2008
New User
TMJ can worsen over time, but if your only problem is cracking joints, DO NOT do anything drastic, or you can cause pain and TMJ dysfunction. Many joints crack, like fingers, and some people can crack all or many of their joints loudly. Unless you start to have other symptoms (pain, numbness, limited jaw opening) don't do anything you may later regret.

If you are still worried, see about having a MRI or CT scan done to put your mind at ease.
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