TMJ Forum - Tmj Or Infection? Will bite plate help?

Conditions and Diseases > TMJ Forum > Tmj Or Infection? Will bite plate help?

Q: Tmj Or Infection? Will bite plate help?

asked by: no user names left on December 7th, 2007

New User

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

Replies(8)

TMJWorld

replied on December 10th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

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.

no user names left

replied on December 11th, 2007

New User

Thanks For the Reply

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

TMJWorld

replied on December 11th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

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

no user names left

replied on December 12th, 2007

New User

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!

TMJWorld

replied on December 13th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

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.

MaggieMay78

replied on January 8th, 2008

New User

Make Sure There Is No Infection!

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.

catswold

replied on January 8th, 2008

Supporter

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

TMJWorld

replied on January 9th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

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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