Sometimes when I wake up I can't open my
mouth... I know I have tmj and I am not
using a mouth gaurd at the moment do you
think this is a sign that I should, or
maybe worse need an operation
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catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Posted: 01-17-06 13:20pm
No surgery, no, no, no. Almost all have
too high of a failure rate. I have not
heard of one person that any tmj surgery
helped.
But don't panic. You are apparently
grinding and/or clenching while sleeping,
which is causing one or both tmj discs to
go out of joint and that causes the
locking. Whatever you do, do not
***pop*** the joint open. Put moist heat
on the joints first (at least 5 to 15
minutes) and then gently massage the mouth
open.
Your next step is to see a good tmj
dentist. You probably will need a bite
splint. There are many different kinds
and a splint is as good as the splint
maker, so be patient and educated.
Research all you can before actually
seeing the "specialist" you see. You
might want to consider an nti splint first
since they are the cheaper ones and made
specifically for grinders and clenchers.
Some love them and others hate them. You
have to make your own decision as to how
everything seems to be working.
Depending on where you live, if you have
health insurance, it might pay for the
splint and any x-rays you have taken for
tmj even if a dentists does the work.
Check into that.
If you do not know of any tmj specialists
in your area, check out the following two
websites:
aaop.Org
aacfp.Org/referral.Html
i would also suggest contacting the
nearest dental teaching university to you
for some names in your area.
To help yourself now at home before seeing
the tmj specialist, change your diet for a
few weeks to only soft foods. Don't open
your mouth wide for anything (including
the dentist and yawning) and do not chew
gum or eat ice. Use lots of moist heat
especially just before bedtime or even
ice. Look at your posture and the way you
hold your head and shoulders. Go to the
website - nismat.Org/ptcor/tmj/ - to see
what your posture should be and other
information. Get a good cervical or tmj
support pillow and don't sleep on your
stomach.
I hope I have helped. If you have any
further questions, please post them here
or you can even send me a private message.
Take care and work on relaxing yourself,
especially before bedtime.
