Nathan, no, no, no, no. It sounds to me like all he really wants is your money, i'm sorry to say. What did he say he was going to do for that $5,000.00? Wow, I just can't believe he wants to charge that. Okay, it has been 25 years since I woke up with tmj, but I have seen, many, many, etc., "specialists" over the years and the only one who came close to that figure was a major surgery.

I hope I haven't freaked you out, but I just can't see that. Unfortunately, right now it is too late for me to write the posting I want to you because I have to go to sleep (the dreaded work tomorrow). I will try and get something in tomorrow. If you want, you can email me at work and i'll probably be able to put something together. You don't have to so don't feel any pressure to email. I'll check back here tomorrow when I can.

My big question - what did he say he was going to do?


Until later...

Carol

I have been using a soft, bite plate that my dentist molded me for about three and a half weeks. Untill then I was having a terrible time with neck pain, headaches, and dizziness with fatigue. I am not saying that the plate will work for everyone, but my symptoms are all but gone. The only remaining problems are some very slight dizzy spells and some annoying tinnitus that I really, only notice at night. My dentist actually called me today to see how I was doing. He said that the dizziness is often the last symptom to go. I was wondering if your ears feel full? Also, is it a spinning room dizzy or more of an uneasy lightheaded feeling? Carol can explain it better, but there is not a lot of room within the inner ear area so it does not take much to create a problem. The plate forces a correct bite and eases the tension and prohibits the wrong jaw motion.

My dentist is strongly advising braces for my future, which can be expensive, but those prices that are being given to you seem way over the top. Be cautious! Perhaps another opinion from a new dentist? Good luck. Witt

What witt said is exactly correct. Go for 2nd and/or 3rd opinions before making any decisions please. Please write to us here if you have any questions about anything.

Thanks carol and witt. The doctor said, he will make a "orthosis", plastic like guard to wear it and he will use a computer to measure the jaw tracking and analysis to see the alignment. He will correct the jaw alignment and he will also do electrical muscle stimulation and x-ray and some more test to cure the tmj. Then he will recommend for phase 2 to a orthodontics for further procedure. I am trying to find another dentist for second opinion. Generally, who knows and treats tmj? I am thinking may be an orthodontist with tmj experience can give me both alignment and dental adjustment. I have sometimes pain in the ear if the wax builds up a lot and the doctor said I don't have ear infection. I have neck pain and sometimes times head-ache. Overall, I have the symptoms for tmj but my main problem is dizziness. Hope some day I get better. Thanks.
Nathan

I agree withn you on the dizzy part! I am a teacher and when I was at my worst, the dizzy spells would come along with anxiety attacks. After I settled myself down I would be left with terrible fatigue. It really affected my job (and home life) for a good month and a half. Now the dizziness is more of a mild lightheaded feeling that seems to stay around all day but much, much less intense.

It sounds like you have some pretty smart people on the problem. I know how this type of problem can drive you nuts especially when other doctors and specialists can't put a finger on it. My guess is that you will know whether it is tmj related shortly after you have that mouth guard in place. It took only two days for me to see a reduction in my symptoms.

Unfortunately, my dentist said that the stuffy ear-dizziness sensations are often the last to go and can hang on for quite a long time. Do youself a favor and please do not get too wound up over the whole thing. Thank god I found carol to talk to. Nobody can understand the whole nightmare unless they have experienced the crazy tmj thing themself. Try your best to keep stress and anxiety over the problem away, believe me, it is the worst thing for a tmj sufferer. Keep me informed, I am very curious about your problem since it seems so much like mine. Take care, witt

Hi nathan,
i do think the bite splint (orthodic) is going to be your best bet, but I think your doctor is asking for too much money. My last bite splint (and best one) was made about a year ago, the first one to be made by my current tmj dentist. It only cost about $500.00 and that's with all the adjustments I will need, even in the future. My health insurance did pay for most of it even though it was made by a dentist so make sure to check out your insurance. All my previous bite splints cost about the same or less also. This is why I would suggest getting a 2nd and 3rd opinion.

If you are having difficulties finding another tmj dentist (usually a dentist or orthodontist) in your area, call the closest university's dental school administrative office or check their webpage (if they have one). Also, the following two websites list (hopefully) reputable tmj dentists by location. Aacp.Org & aacfp.Org/referral.Html.

Don't even think about the possibility of braces until you are exactly where you want to be (no dizziness or pain, etc.). Braces do not necessarily help "fix" tmj. I had braces to "cure" my tmj when I developed it 25 years ago and they did absolutely no good. And sadly, I do know too many others that braces didn't help either. But, I am an advocate of braces if it's to straighten your teeth and you are having no tmj pain, etc. Except you might want to check on the cost from a few different orthodontists first.

I hope this helps a little bit. Please get more opinions reference the bite splint cost before making a decision. And yes, stress makes tmj worse, so if you can find a method to relax you, especially before going to bed, that would be great. If that means a pill prescribed by a doctor, then go for it. Quality of life is the most important thing.

Witt - i'm so happy to read that you sound better. The dizziness and ear problems don't bother me as much as the pain. I just wish the pain would go away and stay away more than it does, but i'm still optimistic that i'll find the right combination of help for that all important quality of life.

God bless...
Carol

I went to another dentist for one more opinion and he is also asking $5000 ( no surgery, only orthosis and some analysis and totally 5 visits). Would somebody tell me, what is the cost to treat tmj (no surgery)? I am just stuck here. Can I visit a dentist and say that I need splint or mouthguard for the tmj? :? I checked with three dentist so far and everybody is asking $5000 and they are sure about curing the tmj and not the dizzy. My insurance does not cover tmj. Any advice.
Thanks
nathan

hello there,
i am new here but I am completely dizzy!..It started with the lightheaded feeling and now is the worst thing I could ever experience!..I don't know what to do, I am positive is tmj because I went to several docs. And they couldn't find anything, but my jaw is bothering me and also I feel sometimes a palpitation with kind of earache so I am positive it must be tmj..I don't think that can be cure, can it?..But the worst thing is the dizziness, please help me!..I can't even move my eyes because a vertigo feeling comes immideately..What can I do? I feel I lost my life, I don't even feel in going to the store..I can't live this way!..
Thanks,

hello there

I got the answer I got vertigo from tmj and i found out how to help myself. there are exercises you can do.

every morning open your mouth real wide 10 times then move your jaw 10 left and right.then push your jaw out infront of you 10. see there is liquid in your ear that gets stuck from the swelling of the jaw. you have to move that liquid so it will relieve the pressure then the dizzyness will go away. make sure you keep up with your exercises or it will come back and so will the dizzyness ok good luck it works for me.

It won't hurt to try

posypethi there , this is great to find other people who are going through the smae as me , i have had light headed and dizzy spells for the last 20 yrs!! had test docs just say they cant find anything , but i have had an ear ache real bad and lost some of my hearing , witch thank god has come back , but i to have to waer a mouth guard as to grinding at night , My denist has never ever mention this t m j before but after finding this site im more than sure this is what i have . iv made appt with my docs for next week then to the dentist . but it is hell to live with as im alsways feeling dizzy or my balance is off key , and people who dont have this just say ITS STRESS!!! and i do at times feel as if im loseing my mind .id give anything to feel normal again . no neck pain , light heads , dizzy and now ear aches !

Hello, I am new here. I am undergoing ENT testing for Meneire's Disease, but at the urgin gof my first cousin and sister (who both have TMJ) I am also seeing a special dentist next week. My dizzy spells are the worse. I ws first treated for allergies (2-Rx's), then asked to see a cardiologist (all was fine with my heart), so now the ENT is doing ENG test next week. I sure hope to get an answer soon!

Good afternoon... I have been walking around dizzy for two years. I initially thought inner ear was the best route. But after a CT Scan, MRI, and Audiology tests on the ear, a top notch doctor said there was no way something was wrong.

My day typically starts well, with only light dizzyness. But as the day progresses at work, and I sit, talk, and deal with my business, I get severe lightheadedness. It feels like I'm walking on a boat dock or trampaline. Moreover, I get jaw stiffness and pain/funny bone sensation in the neck.

I went to the dentist who took a look at my jaw and said it was out of line. Could this be causing all of these crazy symptoms. To boot, I have trouble driving sometimes as well. Put me on a highway at night and my vision, depth perception, and judgement are off. Somedays it is fine, others horrendous.

Does the sleeping splint actually work. This sucks, forgive me for venting, but anyone facing the same symptoms as me, please reply