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I've read so much about TMJ on this boards and maybe this is a case of being TOO informed.
I've been in braces for just over a year. About 2 months ago my bite started to change and I can't really figure out which bite is right. I've informed my ortho that I have a 'front' and 'back' bite and couldn't figure it out and she adjusted the height of one of my molars, thinking this would help. It did a little bit but not entirely, and I still find my lower jaw wandering all over the place trying to find my correct bite! Oh and my molars on the left side barely touch - so I definitely know there's a bite issue. I have an appointment with my ortho next week and she knows I want to talk about this.
My problem now is that I'm starting to get pain in my jaw just below my ears - I think this is where my jaw joint is. And I'm getting tension headaches and neck aches. To those with TMJ - are these the kind of symptoms you guys got? I'm REALLY worried that I'm getting TMJ pain, but at the same time my bite hasn't been mis-aligned for that long so maybe it's a case of hypochondria! I don't want to go rushing into my ortho's office panicaking about TMJ if it's just me adding 2 + 2 and getting 104!
Sorry this post is so long for a tiny issue...thanks to anyone for the advice!
pain in my jaw, headaches and neck aches are some of the symptoms I have with TMJ dysfunction. Other symptoms can be clicking of the joint on opening or closing, deviating of the jaw on opening, or a reduced jaw opening amount. The dentist I have seen for my TMJ measures the jaw opening amount by taking the measurement between the edge of the upper incisors to the edge of the lower incisors, while the jaw is open as wide as possible. Ideally this measurement should be at least 50mm, and any less would suggest there are some TMJ issues
Yes, these were the symptoms I had along with limited jaw opening and popping noises whenever I opened or closed my mouth or moved it from side to side. If your chewing muscles are tight, you can also get tension headaches and a kind of earache. Massage these muscles and see if it gives you any relief.
isthistaken wrote:I think there is an xray which would shed some light on what is going on in those joints, I think I am scheduled for that at some point.
Yes, it's called tomography. I had this done before I got braces and have flattened condyles on both sides but the left one is worse. There is something wrong with my disk too....
Yes, thanks, Ciara. I think I have problems like that as well that they could see on the initial xrays, but really hasn't caused any symptoms, but they want to investigate further.
I'm definitely going to bring this up next week at my appointment...I find that I'm clenching a lot more to try to hold my bite in place I guess so it could just be muscle tension...best to know for sure!
I was a bit worried because my ortho doesnt seem to be taking charge and telling me where my bite should be. Think I need to sit down and have a chat...
I'll let you know how my appointment goes next week! Thanks again!
Well I had my latest appointment last Friday so just an update - my bite is back to normal! I spent a lot of time looking in the mirror and trying to find where my relaxed jaw bite was and then went and had a chat with my ortho. She placed a heavier wire on my bottom teeth (my 2nd last) and I swear straight away my bite seemed to fit more comfortably. The wire has pulled my bottom molars up straighter and widened my lower jaw slightly as a result so now my bite is back...woohoo! I should have just trusted her all along!
She also said that my braces should be off in 12 weeks...I'm not holding my breath though
Thanks again for all the replies...love this forum
I should have just trusted her all along! 
