absolutly i have experience with this. Ive only been doing it for 4 years. The orthotic is a clear plastic peice which covers all the lower teeth. it will retrain the muscles into their proper functional position and then orthodontics are used to keep the bite in this position. This treatment is expensive but well worth it as it is more than likely the last treatment you will need. Ive done nmd for 4 years but ive been fighting tmd all my life--i know what im talking about.

Thanks for the reply, Dyan. I am relatively new to this forum, so I wasn't sure who has tried NMD, or any other treatments. I did hear back from the dentist again, and her answer was just like you said...the orthotic covers all of the lower teeth.

The only concerns I have are (a) The treatment somehow making me worse...I think my problems are mainly muscular right now, with just some slight clicking in the joints. I've had MRIs done, my joints are in good shape other than slightly displaced discs. And (b) My other concern is being told that I'll need "total mouth reconstruction" or something like that, something that involves capping all my teeth...I do NOT want to go there! I don't think my bite is that bad...it just feels a bit off on the left back teeth...they hit later than the right side. But overall I have great teeth, and I don't want them all capped! I've read horror stories about people being told to have them all capped for $30,000 after the NMD splint.

Sorry if I sound like a worrywart, but you know how it goes with TMJ treatment...you just never know what you'll hear next! But I will call this dentist and find out how much the consultation costs, then set up an appt. Thanks again!

Meg,
I also do recommend NMD if that aleves any of your concerns.

God bless,
Carol

this will not make you worse. you will only get better. It is expensive but just talk to the doctor and they are usually very good about working with you so that your payments arent too much for you to handle---prices vary from state to state and it depends on how agressive your treatment needs to be. I only spent 3100

I'm concerned about the NMD payment as well. The first time I called the office, was informed the treatment would cost around 4500. Yesterday when I went to the office , they told me it would be around 5700. Why do they change up on their word? Has anyone had this experience?

I couldn't stress this more.....get 2nd and 3rd opinions from other reputable dentists in your area. Get an unbiased opinion by consulting with a prestigous dental school faculty member before making any permanant irreversible changes to your bite and teeth. Most dental schools offer faculty dental practices. The LVI orthotic is just the start of the treatment (Phase I) which ranges between $5000 to $6000. After that the dentist will basically tell you that you need (Phase II)additional treatment which will cost you thousands and thousands more dollars of dental crowns, orthotics and full mouth reconstruction to maintain the new bite. If you have $50-$60K to spend then go ahead but I got two other opinions from reputable dentists who told me I did not need a full mouth reconstruction. I only needed a handful of crowns to balance my bite. This is all easy money for the dentists.

I had consults with 2 LVI dentists recently. One quoted $1800 for the orthotic with no discussion of a 2d phase plan. He said "2d worst case scenario -- you wear an orthotic 24/7 for the rest of your life" (worst case assumed to be it doesn't work). The other quoted $2400 for orthotic as Phase 1 that would last 3 months. If results not evident by then, "throw away." If results were good, Phase 2 would be orthodontics or complete restoration and cost $30K-$40K. The expectation was that a successful Phase 1 would proceed to Phase 2. Patients would be weaned off the 24/7 orthotic at the end of 3-months when it would become a night guard.

I've spent hours and hours on the internet researching anything and everything I could find about this new emerging field of dentistry. Please proceed with extreme caution since my research has shown that once you wear the orthotic 24/7 for 3 months that returning to your habitual bite will be most painful once the muscles have been forced into this new position. The orthotic is not the most pleasant appliance to wear since it covers all your teeth and leaves you speaking with a lisp. Not to mention that you will need to take extra care of the surface of your teeth by applying fluoride into the orthotic on a nightly basis so you do not end up with more teeth decay.

NM is not a new or emerging field in Dentistry. It has been around for over 340 years. It is practiced in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Europe and the UK.There are actually two dental schools in the US now that are using the instrumentation (called a K7) to teach dental students and one, UOP, (which is my alma mater) that is using it in their pain clinic and also in research. One of the faculty members in the pain clinic has been trained at LVi and I know him personally.
Not all patients who begin Phase One go into Phase Two. Not all phase Two treatments end up in ortho or complete full mouth rehab. I hate to break it to you, but for some very complex cases invloving bone grafts, implants, etc the fees can be over $100,000. Not everyone needs it, not everyone wants it.Phase One or Phase One and Two can be life changing....or not...Just like some people want to pay $60K for a car and others are happy walking...LVI Dentistry is not for everyone....we don't try to be everyone's dentist...We do our best for those patients that DO want our care and expertise.

Error...I didn't proof read my post....it should read 40 years not 340 years! Sorry!

I absolutely would not do it. I have been wearing a splint from a NMD for two years now and had the tens treatment. The two were $5500 under contract for a total of 5 appointments. Each additional appointment is $500. If you don't buy insurance for the splint and it breaks, you have to start over again. Luckily I did not sign the contract for the $40,000 for full mouth reconstruction which is not reversable. Phase One did not even work. The splint gives minimal relief. I tried NMD after several other therapies failed. Most dentists will frown on irreversable treatments. Be careful what the NMD tells you.

It is very important to consider seeing an A/O or NUCCA Chirpractor in conjunction with the ULF Tensing and your treatment by the NM Dentist. You can have an ascending issue that is preventing your progress. NMDentistry works...I provide the treatment with great success. Don't short change yourself.

Thank you. Will you please tell me what A/O is? I've tried the chiropractor route already. My jaw was dislocated in an injury. I've had cat scans and MRIs. I've tried everything.

Stay away from LVI dentists unless you want to pay for lots of cosmetic dentistry.

I would not do it again. It does seem odd that in addition to the overpriced treatment which is limited, my contract stated it would cost $500 for a copy of my records. What exactly are they hiding when you want to find a new dentist or doctor? Do they really care about the patient at all? They are not medical doctors. The label is just a fancy name for what other medical doctors and dentists can do at a more reasonable cost with more involved tests.