Hi, my dentist told me today that I have TMJ and that's why my mouth won't open all the way and I have headaches.
He also said my upper teeth are all pushed back and before we can address the TMJ, my teeth will need to be pushed forward.
He didn't discuss how he plans to do that. I'm assuming braces, but I don't know for sure.
Sara
Newbie dropping in
Moderator: bbsadmin
Re: Newbie dropping in
Welcome to the club! Lots of terrific people here to provide support and information! Good luck in your orthodontic journey.
Dan
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. -- Buddist saying
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. -- Buddist saying
Re: Newbie dropping in
Hi! Welcome to the boards. There are several people here with TMJ issues.
When I had a panoramic x-rays taken before getting a filling, my dentist noted my TMJ joint seemed to have "an unusual shape". Previously, I had problems opening my mouth and I'd spent several months without being able to open my mouth wider than 1 finger's width. These problems had cleared up and I hadn't given them much more thought. I had a different dentist when this happened.
I was also told that I'd need braces by my dentist (tipping teeth, some moving after I'd had an extraction). When I had tomography done the problem with my TMJ became clearer, my mandibular cordial on both sides were flattened. My ortho diagnosed a deep bite (too much vertical overlap between my upper and lower teeth), and a class II division II malocclusion (the upper molars are placed not in the mesiobuccal groove but anteriorly to it, central incisors are retroclined and the lateral teeth are seen overlapping the centrals).
I was told that braces will fix my bite which may help with the clenching I was doing and resulting headaches. I was also told that it may help with the positioning of my TMJ but that it could also make it worse.
I'll have braces for 3 years and have had them for 8 months now. My bite has opened up a lot and I have far fewer headaches (I haven't woken up with one for about 5 months) but I don't know if there have been any changes to my TMJ.
When I had a panoramic x-rays taken before getting a filling, my dentist noted my TMJ joint seemed to have "an unusual shape". Previously, I had problems opening my mouth and I'd spent several months without being able to open my mouth wider than 1 finger's width. These problems had cleared up and I hadn't given them much more thought. I had a different dentist when this happened.
I was also told that I'd need braces by my dentist (tipping teeth, some moving after I'd had an extraction). When I had tomography done the problem with my TMJ became clearer, my mandibular cordial on both sides were flattened. My ortho diagnosed a deep bite (too much vertical overlap between my upper and lower teeth), and a class II division II malocclusion (the upper molars are placed not in the mesiobuccal groove but anteriorly to it, central incisors are retroclined and the lateral teeth are seen overlapping the centrals).
I was told that braces will fix my bite which may help with the clenching I was doing and resulting headaches. I was also told that it may help with the positioning of my TMJ but that it could also make it worse.
I'll have braces for 3 years and have had them for 8 months now. My bite has opened up a lot and I have far fewer headaches (I haven't woken up with one for about 5 months) but I don't know if there have been any changes to my TMJ.
Re: Newbie dropping in
I'll hopefully find out more at my next appointment. I'm just excited that there is a possible help for my headaches. I never put the two together before. I also suffer from depression and he explained how TMJ can cause or contribute to depression (which I've found articles to back up). Who knew the mouth and jaw could have such a big impact?
I also have sleep apnea, but I forgot to ask my dentist if my full-face mask could possibly be contributing.
I also have sleep apnea, but I forgot to ask my dentist if my full-face mask could possibly be contributing.