Hi shasta,
yes, you have the very common symptoms of
tmj. The clenching is what you need to
try and get control of. When you say
retainers, do you mean a bite splint?
Bite splints are usually the first step
(and hopefully last). It takes a really
good splint and that is usually the
biggest problem with splint therapy. Too
many dentists are making them, not really
knowing how to make a great one. They
also need to be adjusted continuously for
some time. Usually if you can't get used
to a bite splint, it is too bulky or not
adjusted properly. It also makes a
difference if it is a top or bottom one.
If I were you, I would look into the bite
splint therapy more and maybe even see a
different tmj "specialist." a cross-bite
should make no difference to any tmj
treatment.
A few suggestions regarding the clenching
is to take magnesium daily. I don't know
the "best" amount, but I take 500 mg
usually. Another suggestion is to take a
small dose of an anti-depressant that
works on serotonin (prozac, cymbalta,
etc.) some people do have problems with
clenching on the anti-d after taking it
for a while, but if you add a small dose
of buspar, it counteracts this problem.
Other anti-d's to consider that do not
appear to have future clenching problems
is amitriptyline and elavil. Do not let
the word, "anti-depressant" scare you off.
These drugs are also great for chronic
pain sufferers and help the chemicals in
your body work better. They are not
necessarily used just for depression.
I know many people do not advocate taking
drugs, but as long as they are doctor
monitored and not abused, they can perform
miracles for the tmj sufferer. Do some
research and take it to your doctor so you
both can come up with a good plan. Don't
expect your doctor to know much (if
anything) about tmj and that's why I
suggest self-education (but you need the
doctors to prescribe medications and
monitor your body). The following are
good educational sites:
http://www.Emedicine
.Com/radio/topic679.Htm
http://www.Tmjassociat
ion.Com/contact.Asp
http://www.Headandneck.C
om/book/toc.Htm
just quickly now to end this long posting
- be careful with your jaw. Do not open
it wide for anything (yawning included).
Eat soft or liquid diets for a few weeks
(definitely no gum chewing, hard or chewy
foods). Use lots of moist heat and/or
ice directly on the jaw joints. Watch
your posture in front of the computer or
working at a desk. Thrusting the head
forward is bad for the muscles. See
nismat.Org/ptcor/tmj/ for pictures and
basic information about tmj and posture.
Don't let anyone talk you into any
irreversible (surgery, braces, filing
teeth) until everything else is tried and
even then, I don't know. And do anything
and everything you can to learn how to
relax. Stress is bad for tmj.
Take care and god bless...
Carol
