TMJ Forum - My 17 Yr Old Daughter Newly Diagnosed

Conditions and Diseases > TMJ Forum > My 17 Yr Old Daughter Newly Diagnosed

Q: My 17 Yr Old Daughter Newly Diagnosed

asked by: nyissa64 on February 11th, 2004

New User

Hello, I am new to the group. I am feeling very frustrated right
now and I don't know what to do to help my 17 year old daughter. She
had an ear infection may 2003. The pain did go away after antibiotic
treatment. Then in oct, nov, dec 2003 and jan 2004 she had constant
ear infections. The doctor was confused cause he said they were red
but shiny. In dec she went through a round of bactrim, and then 2
rounds of augmention. No change, but still had severe ear pain in
both ears. The doctor then suggested I take her to a ent doctor, for
a evaluation for tubes in her ears. The ent doctor looked in her
ears, measured to see if she had any fluid, took x-rays. Asked he
tons of questions and said she doesn't have ear infection. Doesn't
believe she had ear infection all that time, but believed she had
tmj. At first I didn't except that, for the answer. I said her ears
are red, it has to be ear infection. He suggested her seeing a
dentist about it. The ent doctor started her on prednisone for 3
weeks. By the time we got in to see the dentist (about a week later)
her jaws was very sore and the pain was radiating up and behind her
ears, down her neck. The dentist listened to her symptoms and said
indeed she had tmj. Her back top and bottom teeth did not close down
all the way. Said she would need to make and have her wear mouth
splints and then after she gets comfortable, said she would need
braces to correct the alignment of her teeth that was effecting the
temporomandibular joint. And gave her pain medicine.

Well first of all our insurance doesn't cover treatment for tmj.
And 2nd I can't afford braces. I don't even know if the our insurance
will cover braces either.

Today she had a really bad day. Very tired and worn out. Said her
body aches and at she feels she has ran a marathon. Having really bad
pain in her jaws behind the ears and down her back. She has missed
soo much school over this. I just don't know what to do. The pain
medicine hasn't made a difference and she is almost done with the
prednisone. We have tried moist heat, cool compresses. Nothing has
helped, it actually has gotten worse.

Please does anyone have any advise?

Shelly

Replies(5)

Steph333

replied on February 12th, 2004

New User

18 And Same Thing.

Hi,
i was 18 when I was diagnosed with exactly the same thing. (im now 20) in fact our stories are erriely similar. I got constant ear aches that would not go away and my jaw was so sore. Went to dentists and doctors, eventually got x-rays and they found arthristis in the joints, as they have worn down and dont sit properly anymore. My teeth do not sit together properly. They could not explain why it had happened just that it seemed to be more commen amoung young women.

Has she had any x-rays? You could very well find that she has athritis too, being tired and achy and sore sounds alot like rhumetoid athritis.

I was told to just use hot heat packs on my jaw, but its getting to the stage where I cant eat lollies or meat. I eventually found a prostodontist who made a splint for my jaw which has taken some of the pressure and pain away but it still there. Im afraid after being to 3 doctors and 2 different specilists, there not much you can do except manage the pain as best you can (the earaches are the worst). Taking anti-inflammatories for a week helps every now and again.

Try and get to a prostodontist if you can.
I didnt think there was anyone else out there this young with tmj disorders. Let me know how things turn out.

Steph

Bobsr_64

replied on March 12th, 2004

New User

Tmd Evaluation And Treatment

This is for shelly and steph........

Unfortunately tmd treatment is generally not covered by most insurance companies in most states in the us. I cannt help you with this aspect of tmd......However, perhaps I can give you some guidance.

The great majority of tmd disorders are a result of a backward and upward movement of the mandible(lower jaw) which results in compression of the tissues in the joint itself. Following this (which may take days, months or even years) the articular dics which lies between the bones of the upper and lower jaw may become dislodged (called deranged).. Along with this some, many and/or all of the muscles of the head and neck may become involved resulting in not only restricted movements and pain of the jaw joint but also of the muscles of the head, neck and shoulders...... And could eventually alter posture causing back and leg problems. You see

the real solution of the problem rests with an accurate diagnosis through a thorough history, examination, xrays, dental models and photographs. Followed by the ability to actually treat the situation. Toward this end you need to find someone in your area who utilizes computer driven jaw tracking system which will allow the practitioner toboth diagnosis the problem and treat the existing situation. All treatments in this regard are not the same and are dictated by the patients diagnosis, age and other factors. I caution you do not seek treatment from any practitioner(generally a dentist) who does not use a computer assisted situation. My personal favorite is the k6i or k7i uniuts from myotronics in seattle,washington. You may wish to contact myotronics and they may be able to give you the name/s of someone in your area............Good luck.....

If you have no luck you may contact me.

Steph333

replied on March 12th, 2004

New User

Hey bob
thanks so much for the advice, what I did know about my mystery condition was peiced together from websites and doctors but you've told me more in 2 paragraphs than ive figured out in 2 years Smile

i actually live in australia so I might have to do some investigation into whereabouts they would have this sort of thing... Is their a particular kind of specialist I should be looking for? And is there any real releif for it anyway?

Well thanks for the information, your a big help.

Steph.

oldpal

replied on March 29th, 2004

New User

Dear steph333,
visit any functional orthodontist or neuromuscular dentist. They essentially practices the same treatment...Muscles first and then teeth. By most importantly, you need to take a tomogram of the joints in the initial diagnosis. Practioners that don't take xrays in the initial diagnosis should be avoided. The condyle should be in the "gelb 4/7" vicinity.
Andrew

Steph333

replied on May 24th, 2004

New User

Hey oldpal,
i know your post is a little old but i've only just had a chance to check back in, thanks for the advice. Its much appreciated.

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