Is TMJ "real"?

[missypie]

Lots of dentists and others offer treatment for TMJ. I've heard that it is a "bogus" condition and that most insurance policies will not cover TMJ treatment.

My neighbors - who are very intelligent people - have a 17 year old daughter who has been diagnosed with severe TMJ. The doctors (dentists?) are saying that she is going to have to have serious jaw surgery - $7,000, that insurance will not cover - that will put the child totally out of commission for 4 weeks.

I'm so worried that they aren't getting proper medical advice or treatment. Has anyone had TMJ for real and been helped by something as severe as jaw surgery?

 

[Galahad]

My understanding is that it is a real condition that is often over diagnosed. Maybe they just need a second opinion.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Those are the same doctors that think allergies, pms, allergy shots are all bogus too.
My dad's doctor thinks that allergy shots are BS.

My mom thought she had TMJ at one point. It turned out she was eating too many gummy bears, (she was addicted to them). I know that sounds bizzare but it is true. She quit the gummy bears and her TMJ went away.

As far as your friend I would get many, many opinions before going through with surgery.

 

[chrissyk]

Tell them to get a second opinion before she gets the surgery. My sister has TMJ. She's had 1 surgery so far, but her Dr. was recommending a second surgery that the insurance wouldn't cover. They were going to break her jaw during this surgery! I was helping her to dispute the insurance company over the surgery last year. Finally, she went to a different Dr. who fitted her with a new mouthgard thing, and her problem is much improved. He really recommended that she not do the surgery, as it can cause a lot more problems down the road. I think that TMJ IS real, but some of the treatments are maybe not such a good idea.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I've been diagnosed with TMJ by two doctors. I did get a 2nd opinion. IMO, it is a real problem. My jaw tells me it is real pretty often. I cannot chew gum or eat anything that is very chewy or my right jaw is KILLING me. My insurance did pay for a mouthpiece that I'm suppose to wear at night. It cost $150. One of the dentist that told me I had TMJ said I probably need braces to re-align my jaw. My teeth are straight and don't look like I need braces so I will not pursue it. I just stay away from gum and other chewy foods. Also, I find that if I'm stressed, I'll clench my jaws and that also causes a lot of pain.

 

[missypie]

This girl has had braces - twice - and her doctor is now telling her that after the surgery she will need braces a third time.

 

[disney4us2002]

My experience with tmj is very similar to Weirdeyes. I stay away from all chewy stuff, even some steak is too chewy. I was offered surgery, crowning of all my teeth, braces, or mouthpiece. I did try some electroshock stuff that relaxed my jaw muscles and wore a mouthpiece for over a year. I don't often have flare ups but there are those rare occasions when I wake up with my jaw 'locked' open. It is extremely painful and takes several motrin and time to get the jaw to relax a bit. I have clicking (that others can hear) whenever I eat but it usually isn't painful.

I would definitely recommend getting a second opinion and maybe do some online research as to less expensive and aggressive treatment options.

 

[Hopetobee]

I've had TMJ since about 1985, it's real and can be painful. My dentist said , at that time, that surgeries didn't work, told me some people put a credit card in between teeth at night so as to not clench teeth, I worked at not putting my teeth together except when eating.

 

[Hopetobee]

Went to a specialist in 1986, he put his fingers in my ears and had me to open my mouth wide, couldn't do it because rt. side hurt so bad, forced mouth open and I felt awful cracking on rt. side, like joint not on track. Just tried that now, and its ok. But I still have flareups.

 

[mickeysaver]

As a fellow sufferer, it sure does feel like a real condition. It's positively miserable. Maggie

 

[tiggersmom2]

Galahad hit the nail on the head - it is a very REAL condition that is often over diagnosed.

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by The Mystery Machine
My mom thought she had TMJ at one point. It turned out she was eating too many gummy bears, (she was addicted to them). I know that sounds bizzare but it is true. She quit the gummy bears and her TMJ went away.

Oh I 've had similar problems with bubble gum. I love the big round kind with a candy coating. I can't help myself - when I buy it I have to chew it all - and then my jaw hurts. My sister tells me that I am not allowed to chew gum in public so it is my secret vice.

 

[missypie]

Have any of you genuine sufferers had surgery for it? If the reason you haven't had surgery was because it was not covered by insurance, would you have the surgery if you could afford it or if it was covered by insurance?

I have this feeling that if this was just a young woman on her own, without a large income, they wouldn't recommend the surgery. I fear that because they know the parents can afford it, they're recommending surgery.

 

[piglet too]

I too have TMJ. Everything I have read on it, even the booklet that the oral surgean gave me, says that surgery is a last resort and may not help either. Have they tried a mouth-guard yet? I am supposed to use one, just have not had the money to get one as of yet. I also must stay away from gum, and other chewy foods/sweets.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I had surgery back in 1987. I would NOT recommend surgery. I still have problems. They broke my jail and I was wired shut for 8 weeks. YIKES!!!

From my understanding if you have TMJ find out what is causing it. You could be clenching your teeth, grinding your teeth, back is out of wack .... Get a mouth guard, go to a chiropractor or do physical therapy.

 

[Nebsky]

Went to a specialist in 1986, he put his fingers in my ears and had me to open my mouth wide, couldn't do it because rt. side hurt so bad, forced mouth open and I felt awful cracking on rt. side, like joint not on track. Just tried that now, and its ok. But I still have flareups.

I can see it now. All of us have our fingers in our ears. Well not me because Im busy typing right now. But just before this I did it. It sounds like Rice Crispies in my Left ear. Snap, Crackle and Pop are having a big party in there!!

I went to my dentist/oral surgeon and was told I had it too.
I do clench my teeth alot and I also grind them during the night. Mine isnt bad right now but I stay away from gum too.

 

[missypie]

Sounds like quite an unpleasant diet plan! I think they've tried mouth guards and other stuff.

I have developed a distrust of dentists and oral surgeons lately. The expereince is so common among people I talk to that I think there must be seminars that the guys go to on how to generate money. For example, my new dentist had me fill out a questionaire...it asked if I had frequent headaches...I do. The guy seized on this to try to convince me that I had TMJ and something else and that if I bought this and that I would be cured. Now I KNOW that my headaches are related to my menstrual cycle, but I just let the guy do his sales pitch.

No one seems to have a favorable view of the surgery so far. Now I have to find a way to butt into my neighbors' business enough to share all your comments with them!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I worked with someone in the 80s who had TMJ and had had a headache for 7 years--she had tried everything and was half loopy on meds half of the time. I think it's a real condition.
Robin M.

 

[Hopetobee]

missypie--please get them to read this thread, and they can make up their minds.

The doctor I saw in 1986 told me if I didn't have surgery that in 10 years my mouth would be locked shut or open permanately!
Well, that didn't happen, but no eating apples, unless cut, no corn on the cob, unless cut, no chewing gum, and no chewing really chewy food. I watched what I ate, when the pain was bad I made sure that I chewed slowly and on both sides(he told me if I chewed on good side only, that it would go bad too) When I laid down to sleep I would open my teeth a little, also when awake I would constantly remind myself to keep teeth apart, to relax the jaws.

Several people have mentioned getting second opionions(sp) that is an excellent idea. Good for you for trying to be a helpful friend!