Do I have TMJ? Orthoganic Surgery?!
Question: Do I have TMJ? Orthoganic Surgery?
As for my jaw, I forced it out all my life to make my appearance look better. From a very early age I forced it, and subconsciously it became natural for me to do so 24/7. Even in sleep I done so even though not forcing it, grinding my teeth. So I unnaturally protruded my jaw, when in reality it was naturally retruded. Now present day, 19yrs; when I open to eat or yawn I hear I pop click sound. It is only on my left side, where the ear problem is worst. My left side of my face has a stronger muscle than the right, being I never chew with the right. It has never really occurred to me that I have been forcing my chin out until recent harsh headaches; my subconscious made me believe my chin was natural forcing my jaw.
Okay so I think I have tmj disorder, I am not too sure.
But what exactly do I have?
I am very afraid I am losing my hearing, and I do very much believe it has to do with my jaw. Please I need help and need to be guided on what to do.
I have seen the clinic today, and he told me I have tmj, but he didn't seem interested in his work at the time. Thus I didn't pay the clinic. He kept rambling on how I had earwax even when I insisted it was that and somethingg esle.
Also, If I do have tmj how could I heal or repair this disease? Would orthoganic surgery do the job?
I do not have insurance for this, .... could the military cover this for me? (I am not using the service to get this done, I respect my country and always wanted to serve it)
Also, I am native American, does the Navajo tribe cover a surgery like this?
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
YES, you have a TMJ disorder and NO you should not have any type of surgery. Your problem can be treated conservatively without surgery but your biggest problem will be to find someone who can treat your condition. Many Class II patients protrude their chin in order to look better but the muscles that are attached to the jaw are just too strong and act like rubber bands pulling the jaw back to "home" when you are asleep or at rest. To maintain a constant protrusion is very tiresome and will fatigue the jaw muscles making your symptoms worse. A functional appliance will do exactly what you have been doing but without the effort you have been putting into it. To find out more about your problem and how it is treated, click on my profile and go to the answers I have given to other posters. Try this link to find someone that may be able to help you - www.iaortho.org.
functional orthodontist; treated TMJ since 1984
The sound related problems sound more like an outer ear problem or middle ear infection, but don't let that drive you down a different path. You may have either or both and they are treatable.
Essentially, approach it as you would any other injury - that's what it is. Relieve the immediate symptoms (soften wax with olive oil or similar, medically supervised clearing of stubborn wax, anti-inflammatory and/or pain medication, rest and adjustment). Eliminate the causes - focus hard on changing behaviour to balance the jaw by eating on equal sides, not popping the joint or stretching it deliberately, rest and train the whole jaw (see biofeedback sources on wikipedia)...and don't stick anything in your ears or manipulate your jaw.
Surgery is a last resort and a drastic one.
There will be permanent damage, but you won't be able to deal with it until you've retrained you brain to control your jaw properly. See a dentist as well as or instead of a doctor.
Focus on treating the problem it is far cheaper and probably more effective than immediate surgery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporomand…