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Just want to take a poll if you will.. Most of you from TMJ friends know my dx... I have a NM Orthotic due to my jaw being shoved up in my skull 5 mm from YEARS of clenching and a boched crown effort on 4 of my molars... I wear an orthotic that has helped TREMENDOUSLY to draw that jaw out and into a more comfy place... I've had it for a year and love it...
My TMJ doctor has indicated that we can do reconstructive cosmetic teeth replacement (Essentially, shaving my existing teeth (yes all of them) and putting vaneers and bridges in on ALL of them).. It's not 100% guaranteed to work and would cost me OUT OF POCKET 30K... Dental Insurance won't cover as it's 'cosmetic' and my health insurance won't cover cos it has to do w/ my teeth (now mind you, if I broke my jaw or if it was something wrong w/ my jaw they'd cover me 100% - BOGUS).. I've raised appeals on both instances and gone to my company for support.. I've struck out on all accts (I have to say, my company is one of the best out there, top 5 companies to work for... So I'm not upset at them, they provide great benefits.. I guess there's not much they can do here)...
Question - Would you fork out the money to get the cosmetic surgery or keep the orthotic ??
Hi Tami- I wore a splint after my injury 24/7 until 2001 when it wore out and the new TMJ MD couldn't make one that worked. The old MD had retired. I did fine once my jaw strengthened up until 2003 when my dentist did 3 crowns at once on my weak side to teeth that had broken under the splint. The crwons were off and it's been 4 years this month of trying to get them right. I'd be worried about that extent of repair- definitely a second if not third opinion- since i left the MD, every decent dentist I saw, especially prostodontists never would do 3 at once on one side- hope that helps a little- Deb
Wow Tami - and I thought the NM orthotic cost a lot!
What about braces, aren't they an option too? Can they guarantee you will feel as good after the crowns as you do now? How much does the orthotic bother you, or could you live with it indefinitely?
Booo, hiss on insurance.
Posts: 32 | Location: Des Moines, Iowa | Registered: 02-25-2007
Personally, I don't have much trust in orthodontic work, because I am positive that that is what caused me to get TMJ in the first place. But, that's just me.
