Chronic Pain

I'm going in tomorrow for an appointment to get fit for a NM splint. My dentist said it will take 4 or 5 hours to do everything. He explained most of the procedures, but I'm wondering what to expect for pain during/afterward. I've been having my roughest week yet with jaw pain, headaches and dizziness, and am wondering if I'll be coming out of there in worse shape.

Some of you also answered my questions - before the forum moved - on the cost of the splint at $5,000 for everything. Sounds like that was pretty normal. Any feedback on how the NM splint has helped folks is great too. My dentist seems to think I'll feel like a new woman after this ... but I hate to hang my hat on anything after much disappointment with past docs.

Hi Alorcoy,

You can expect to feel a bit sore after the 4-5 hours. I was given a muscle relaxant to take when I got home. It helped tremendously. You can expect them to work your jaw a bit. If you TEN's before that's great, but you will still feel a bit sore. When you get home I would recommend doing some moist heat on the jaw muscles and if you can, take a muscle relaxant (if you have any, or ask the doc for a Rx)or Aleve.. Something to take the inflamation down.

My Splint has been a life savor... I can't imagine my life without it... I've had it officially for a year now. It took a few days to get use to it, will take 1 or 2 adjustments w/ your doc before it's perfect. Also, after about 2 months I had to get fitted for a new one cos my jaw had shifted the direction my doctor wanted so we had to fit a new one. I've had my current one for 8-9 months.

Hope this helps... Best of luck and let us know how it goes...

One last thing.. The first time you get that thing in your mouth you'll hate it, it will feel HUGE and you'll slur.. I PROMISE, that goes away !!!! Be patient... Think positive and reach out if you need anything...

Tami

Tami,

Thanks for getting back to me. I'm a bit nervous and soooo hopeful. I just keep imagining how great it will be to actually get to close my mouth without it starting a series of spasms b/c nothing fits together. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Hey There,

Just checking in on you and seeing if you are ok after your session..

Tami

thanks Tami. You were right about being a little sore afterward, nothing too bad though. The dentist sent me home with one of the impressions to use until the splint arrives next thursday. It was really comfortable to sleep in. I had a great feeling after the tensing and as he was taking the impressions and putting my jaw where it will be with the splint - just very relaxed and felt like I could actually close my mouth! I hope that feeling continues when I get the splint, I'm hopeful.

Also, he has more x-rays to take, but from the ones he took so far said he couldn't see major damage to joint, just that the disc was pushed forward, or 'slammed' forward as he called it.

YAHOO !! I had the complete opposite issue.. My was 'slammed' or 'shoved' up and into my skull 5 mm...I'm SO glad everything worked out... I can't wait to hear how you like the splint when you get it ! Keep us posted (I'm happy dancing for you!!!)

Tami

Yay! Glad you had a good appointment! You should start SharePost-ing about your progress/treatment!
stacy

What is the difference - is there any difference between a splint and a night guard? I have a night guard, where only while sleeping that was also fitted by my dentist.

This stops me from clenching or grinding.

It didn't take as long to make - just an impression and then it went somewhere to be made and I picked it up a few days later. Some of these posts talked about 4 and 5 hours and was just wondering .....

Karen

Hi Karen,

My orthotic is for jaw placement purposes, not to stop clenching (tho it does that too by default). It's a hard device made out of plastic (if you will) that fits over all of my lower teeth. It's designed so that it helps to draw my jaw into it's optimal position. So the 4-5 hours effort is due to not only diagnosis what is wrong (like in mine and Alorcoy's situation - our jaws are out of position).. but also alot of the time is spent on loosening the muscles to get to that 'optimal position' so you can get the impression of where your teeth should join to help draw the jaw out. I wear my orthotic 22 hours a day and only take it out when I eat.

Hope this helps.
Tami

Stacy - I'll try the share-posting this week, such a cool Web site you've created.

Tami - I tried to private message, but need to figure that out too- my technical skills seem to be lacking this week. I have a question about how quickly you noticed a difference with your orthotic, and were you sore the first week or so as your jaw and muscles got used to the new, and better, position?

Best - Amy

Hi Amy,

No worries.. I don't know how to send one either ....

So I noticed a difference pretty quick.. Will take time to get use to the device itself.. If you can stick with it (again, it's going to feel HUGE in your mouth, will make you slur for the first few hours etc).. But if you hang in there, then I honestly think it took me just a few days to get use to the device and then I felt relief like after less than 2 weeks..

If you start getting headaches from the device then get back to the Dr and have them adjust you.. It takes a few times and a few adjustments before you find that 'yahoo' spot.

As far as sore... Hmmmm, must not have been that crazy cos I can't remember being that sore..Your Dr can give you muscle relaxants if you get sore (mine did). My jaw started moving to it's optimal position in less than 2 months.. So it was a great thing for me.

I'm a positive experience from the NM Orthotic.. If you have ANY questions once you get it pls reach out to me.. And maybe we can figure out the PM thing soon so we don't bore the others ;-)..

Hope all is well.
Tami

Yes - thanks for explaining that to me. There IS a difference.

My guard goes over the top teeth and stops my clenching - its really working.

Karen

So, I've had the NM orthotic for four days. I'm really starting to like it. I can tell it's taking pressure off the joints and calming many of the muscles down. Much of my dizziness has subsided and I've had a few hours here and there without a headache. It does feel huge in my mouth and I lisp, but I understand those things will eventually go away. I slept 11 hours last night without taking a sleep aid, so that's great to get into a comfortable position for rest.

I really overdid it with laughing and talking at the in-laws this weekend and got slammed with a headache yesterday, so my body is really trying to tell me my limits. Interesting.

Also, thank you to the genius who suggested rubbing rough spots down with a nail file if needed. It saved me a trip to the dentist. The orthotic was ripping up my tongue at first b/c of a sharp edge - I filed it down and now it's smooth and nonirritating.

YAHOOOO !!! I'm SO glad your orthotic is working.... I'm happy dancing for you !!!! Keep us posted !!

Tami

Tami - I've got some more NM orthotic questions. Can u e-mail me at amy_a_lorentzen@yahoo.com

It seems to be helping the headaches, but I am clenching terribly at night (or at least it seems like I'm clenching more, but I'm also sleeping better/longer - so maybe that's why).