Does TMJ disorder fully heal after splint therapy? What is your experience with splints?!
Question: Does TMJ disorder fully heal after splint therapy.? What is your experience with splints.?
I am undergoing braces treatment for readjusting my bite...this is actually the second time for me to have braces, the first set I got off three years ago, but my bite was not fully balanced horizontally, as I had a trapped tooth which, in their effort to pull down, ended up knocking my teeth off balance. This in turn, made my bite funky which started my jaw problems. So when I got the braces off the first time, they were fairly balanced, but off enough to where now my jaw locks all the time on the one side, and I am forced to chew mostly on the right. Right now, the orthodontist is trying to readjust my teeth somewhat, and he's been trying to get my jaw to shift forward to a no-popping position, but thus far, there's been no real improvement, so I may have to go into a splint. Has anyone on here had similar problems, and used a splint for treatment.? And also, with having the problems of this severity, does it ever fully heal, or at least heal 90%.? Your input is appreciated...Health Question & Answer
Answers:
I have this same problem my dr was an osteopath, chriopractor, orthodontist, and pain dr. and had this problem himself. He was a very good dr. he told me the joint does not heal up. you can only wear a night guard at night and a splint during the day to try to correct your bite. You want to lessen abnormal wear on the joint. try to get the jaw back into the closest position to normal as possible. If you don't you can expect muscle spasams and nerve pain. My Dr. said aurthritis will always develop in a damaged joint. He always prescribed a certain pain med and muscle relaxant to all his patients. Use the splints regularly and use meds only when absolutly nessesary. A night guard helps you keep from grinding your teeth from the pain at night. and the day guard (splint) will level out your bite and keep it from falling back out of position. The more you wear them the less abnormal wear and tear on the joint and less nerve impingement. Posture plays a part in TMJ as well. Health Question & Answer