The TMJ Association - changing the face of TMJ

TMJ Resources - Our Family - Patient Talk

Carol

I had trouble closing my jaw after a fall involving the head and jaw area. I saw my prosthodontist who was empathetic and sent me straight to an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon did an MRI, which showed my disks in my TMJs were displaced bilaterally. He recommended muscle relaxant medications and painkillers; however, I was still in severe pain. I then went to a Dental center where the oral surgeons recommended surgical intervention on the TMJ. Thanks to the information on The TMJ Association's Web site, I avoided surgery. Still in serious pain I sought help from a Maxillofacial surgeon outside of my state, who after reviewing my MRI reports said the best thing I did was not to let anyone operate on the TMJ. He said from his experience the pain may well go away on its own or improve considerably over time. A number of patients experiencing pain in the jaw will slowly burn out over a 1-3 year period simply by staying alive and being careful with jaw use. They are using Elivil at night and Ibuprophen or a similar non-steroid type anti-inflammatory/pain reliever until they improve. There is a subgroup, however, in whom this process can take longer. He felt all surgical procedures today directly involving the TMJ cause even more pain and are not successful. I use Elivil at night to help control my bruxing. I had tried splints prior, however they actually caused me more pain. It has been 14 months since the initial accident and I am now pain free most of the time. I sometimes have a little discomfort and will take ibuprophen, which works quite well. I feel very lucky to have not allowed anyone to operate on my TMJ.

I commend The TMJ Association for their continued efforts and for the valuable information they provide to TMJ patients. Please keep up the good work!