<p>My daughter had terrible TMJ. She went to a prosthodontic dentist on the recommendation of her dentist and her pediatrician. She got a $2,000 night appliance which has worked beautifully for over three years. She goes in for checkups periodically and he adjusts the appliance. We think he is a miracle worker!</p>
<p>Neither my good dental insurance nor good medical insurance covers any of it.</p>
<p>HImom, I will try that night guard again, then. Now I just have to figure out when is a good week to get bad sleep! It’s just, that it doesn’t really bother me very much anymore, so is it worth it?</p>
<p>Wore a night guard for many years. (my dentist fitted me for it and insurance cover some minimal amount like $100). </p>
<p>In 2001 I started InvisAlign, as I had a cross-bite (lower canine tooth lopped over upper) which probably contributed to the TMJ issues. The InvisAlign took 18 months and I still wear both retainers to bed every night. I typically don’t have the TMJ issues, except for when I’m under lots of stress (like now at work…) Advil helps, but I still get headaches.</p>
<p>My protocol for TMJ: with pain, clicking, limited opening, referral to the oral surgeon for a workup. About $200 for consult. At home help before appt: stop chewing gum (#1), 800 mg ibuprofen 2-3 times a day to cut inflammation, soft diet, ice pack or heat pack (whatever helps). OS may recommend same, some sessions with a physical therapist (need someone who works with dental patients), ortho, surgery is a LAST resort.</p>
<p>Grinding, clenching (and most patients don’t realize they have the habit): night appliance to separate the jaws so only front two touch the night guard or plastic guard that covers all teeth. Trouble adjusting? Start on Friday night, little rest, lots of drooling, will usually be out by morning, try again Sat, usually by Sunday, okay. Still trouble? Wear it for a few hours during the day so you get used to the feel of it in your mouth. Then try nights again. I usually see pts every 2-4 weeks after delivery to check fit and bite until no adjustment needed. Fees vary widely.</p>
<p>busdriver11: if you have aches in the sides of your face, you are clenching. PM me if you want more tips in adjusting to a guard (depends on the type you have).</p>
<p>Thanks for the great info, dentmom. I have a Brux-eze appliance, and I guess I really didn’t give it much of a chance. I have the next week off, so maybe I can try it, using your technique first. Maybe I can drink a couple of glasses of wine the first night so I don’t care so much about the lack of sleep and the drooling.</p>
<p>Busdriver11, try some Tylenol PM. It does help.</p>
<p>I never have tried Tylenol PM, but I’ll give it a try this week too. Whatever might help. I hate losing sleep…sleep is so important, colors your whole world. But maybe this will help in the long run. Thanks.</p>
<p>My brother had horrible TMJ that was brought on by orthodontic treatment. He lost so much weight and was only able to eat/drink through a straw. Luckily, an oral surgeon was on our medical plan that specialized in TMJ treatment. (We had no dental insurance at the time.) My brother had a surgical procedure that injected a lubricant into that joint. He has had no trouble since then.<br>
I have never had this problem, but seeing my brother go through it was horrible. I hope you are able to find a lasting solution.</p>