Hi Bryanna

Well I have got absolutely nowhere yesterday when I saw my usual dentist.

She has basically advised that I have TMJ disorder specifically in the left jaw area and its just a case of mananging the pain, undertaking the exercises I was given by the oral surgeon and just sitting and waiting!

She has offered to make me a splint for my mouth to prevent the clenching and grinding so this is something I will take up.

She has said that TMJ pain will present in teeth and she tested my teeth again by tapping them. The teeth either side of the problematic tooth hurt when she tapped so she advised that as they have no decay and no fillings then it must be TMJ as there would be no way I would have pain in them if I didnt have the problem.

She has advised me to go to see my Doctor to ask for some muscle relaxants but I said that as I would be starting fertility treatment soon this wasnt really an option as I wouldnt be able to take that sort of drug when on the fertility drugs.

So....I am feeling a bit upset, a bit frustrated and very anxious.

She categorically said that she would NOT be drilling teeth nor would she be extracting them so I have to try and manage with what I have.

I was unable to ask about a bisecting angle x-ray as the appt ended so abruptly and I just felt that I was going over old ground again.

I do feel that my comments to the oral surgeon that I saw on 21.1.13 have been used to lean towards a diagnosis of TMJ problem...this was that I have a 2.5 year daughter who had open heart surgery when she was born and that I had to conceive via fertility treatment. It has really upset me that this was even used in the letter as she appeared to take a great deal of time asking me about my family life...I can understand she has to get a feel for what goes on in my life but using it to make a diagnosis is not on!

My dentist has now used this information and it supports her diagnosis of TMJ too. She said to me yesterday that the lead up to fertility treatment can be quite stressful....to which I replied I am quite aware of that I have done it 3 times!!!!

So, I am going to see my Doctor and see what she can suggest. I may ask for a further referral to the hospital for a further x-ray on that area to see if that helps.

I did mention that I am having the same symptoms as the right molar that was pulled and that my pain totally went after the tooth was removed...my dentist told me that as i have the TMJ problem there is no guarnatee that the pain will not return...is this correct?

Can you give me any further advice on TMJ and its management?

Thanks


Louise