I just got my orthotic for my tmj issue as the chiropractor and dentist feel that the wack to the back of my head could have thrown my jaw out. After the testing, they concluded that I only have .5 mm of space between the jaw where there should be 5mm. The orthotic is supposed to move my jaw forward a bit and realign my bite. He said the muscles are going to be sore for a while (yeah more pain).

Hoping this is a link in all my head and facial pain...and that it works.

Staying hopeful.

If anyone has any experience in this area...let me know -- I'm curious to know how long before I really see some improvement. And, you know what the drs say -- we have to wait and see how you respond --they can never seem to give any time answers!!

Instead of braces, I had retainers when I was growing up. I had a variety of different ones that, among other things, spread the roof of my mouth and realigned my bite.

Later, I had a lot of tmd issues. The dentist said that a lot of times orthodontia can actually CAUSE or exacerbate these issues. I got a different splint/retainer which allowed my jaw to return to a more natural position, after which he adjusted my bite slightly. Since then I have had very little trouble with my jaw (I do still wear the splint at night only to prevent grinding my teeth).

I would suggest that you find out if your dentist is Pankey Institute certified and, if not, maybe get a second opinion from one who is. You can look this up here: http://www.pankeydentist.org/

Eowyn,

Sounds like you had a Rapid expander (roof of mouth) and maybe a Herbst appliance (lower jaw and TMJ). We tried those with my daughter. They did not help. Eventually, she had orthognathic jaw surgery. It worked fabulously. The orthodontist who oversaw the surgery said the Rapid expander and Herbst appliance had proven to be a waste of time as the TMJ will not permanently move or reposition with the Herbst appliance and the roof of the mouth will always return to its original place.

I had a Physical Therapist use myofacial release to properly position my TMJ. After a few treatments, it settled in nicely. The myofacial release paralyzes the TMJ muscle so she can then put the TMJ in correct position. The gabapentin I take helped with the jaw clinching at night so I did not undo the work she (PT) did.

well I think the orthotic is working. I have noticed less headache today (and did a bit more...baseball game, out to dinner with my parents).. etc. and I'm not in so much pain. I've also noticed that I don't have the tingling in my upper teeth.

Hoping and praying this is part of my answer to lowering my pain!

spoke too soon! I'm in soooo much pain! If its from the orthotic realigning my jaw....how much longer is this pain going to last?? I think the worst is when I talk!

If your dentist isn't a Pankey dentist, I would strongly urge you to get a second opinion from one who is....

I'm not concerned that he isn't qualified...this is his speciality. He did a huge workup on me...computerized, etc. Only deals with certain lab to make orthotic, etc. I was impressed with him...he came highly recommended for my area.

As for the pain...omg -- worst ever..going back today for another adjustment.

The Pankey approach is very gentle. Someone who is qualified in TMJ or orthotics may be qualified to move your jaw, which can potentially cause more long-term problems. The Pankey approach will have the long-term effect of RELAXING your jaw and jaw muscles for better long-term comfort.

The dentist who did my retainers was also a specialist in those types of appliances, but the work he did eventually created stress on my jaw by moving it into an unnatural (for me) position.