The TMJ Association - changing the face of TMJ

TMJ Resources - Our Family - Patient Talk

Britany

I am a TMJ sufferer. I have watched my wife live with this problem since 1990. We have had six surgeries which is low compared to others with this problem. We went to a doctor who claimed he was an expert on TMJ. We were grateful and allowed him to remove her discs and replace them with alloderm (processed human cadaveric skin). This procedure failed because the tissue he used was over a year expired.

As her husband, best friend, father of our children, I felt compelled to try to seek help. After six months of emailing every surgeon in the world that claimed to do TMJ surgeries, I located one in Denver that uses the Christenson implant. We chose to have this put in and so far so good.

I guess I want to address this to the spouses of TMJ sufferers. It is up to you to help your wife or husband as much as you can. You must put yourself second for awhile, maybe a long while, and seek information about TMJ so you can understand where your spouse is coming from. Your positive and supporting attitude will do nothing but help with the situation. Many implants will fail and many surgeries may fail, but I believe it is the one doing the surgery that causes many of these to fail. It is up to you to investigate and research the one that is going to be cutting your best friend and be their voice since many sufferers are ready to give up. Please support your spouse and give them encouragement even when you feel your life is on hold or you feel exhausted from your efforts. Imagine how they feel. You can live with the temporary inconvenience. Can they live in constant pain with no support? This is a family problem and not an individual problem. Hang in there.

P.S. God will also listen to your pleads for help and support.