TMJ?

[angelstrings]

I read this in another thread, and instead of highjacking that thread I decided to post my own here. The original thread is "Sliding genioplasty regrets," and the following was posted by 'peskywabbit.'

the same thing happened to me. Except mine is much more crooked. I had an underbite and so my jaw was moved backward, but Dr O'Ryan slipped the chin forward, but must've slipped it forward at an angle, cause it looks lopsided. Also, I have an a flat arthritic left TMJ, which the surgeon didn't check my TMJs prior to surgery as a source of the crossbite. So because the foundation was already off, the enhancement of the chin made it especially apparent. Did you get your TMJs xrayed prior to surgery?

I'm going for a consultation sometime in December or January, hopefully, with Arnett/Gunson. Now I'm starting to get a little scared about other things that might need fixing. I know I have some degree of TMJ issues because when I eat crunchy food, my jaws click. It doesn't hurt, but like if I keep chewing gum after it's already dried up, my jaws click and get sore/tired.

There was even one time about a year ago when I was under more stress than I'd been through in a long time. I woke up and I swear, my jaws were so sore and STIFF that I couldn't open my mouth. I have never had it happen before like this, or since. It took 2 weeks to heal up. I remember how it even felt funny from the inside of my ears, like there was this pressure.

Normally, when it's just the popping and clicking, I can live with it. But I wonder if this implies some sort of foundational issue that must be corrected in addition to the SG I already know I want. Then I start worrying that maybe the overbite is back. I've scheduled an appointment with a local orthodontist for the first of next month, so there's really no reason to "worry," just let happen whatever may and be emotionally prepared and financially obligated to resolving whatever problems exist. I guess they'll take xrays at the consult and hopefully be able to give me an answer so I'll know what I'm up against. It would be horrible to have gone through having braces and head gear, just to find out my bite is off...again. Who knows, maybe bites can be a little off and not cause much problems, even when going for SG. What can be done surgically to treat TMJ? What causes it? How would I even know if my bite was off? I mean, it doesn't feel perfect, but it's not a major issue either.

Does anyone have any insight? I'll let you guys know definitively what I find out on the 1st, but that's a month from now and I guess I'm here to allay my fears more than anything else. Thanks guys--Angela

[Lucia07]

Hi Angela,

Well I had upper and lower jaw surgery in July to correct TMJ issues that I had. Since I am still recovering I don't know quite yet the outcome but I am very hopeful that the surgery corrected my problems. I will post some of the things that the orthodontist diagnosed me with. I had a unilateral class II, anterior open bite tendency, TMJ condylar remodeling and /or resorption, popping/clicking of temporomandibular joint, TMJ is a source of headaches, and mandibular midline offset to the right.

I too had braces, twice actually prior to the braces I have on now. The first time I had braces I was a teenager and the second time in college. Both of the times the same orthodontist never mentioned that I had a crossbite and that even with braces my bite would not be fixed. Yes, I did have nice straight teeth but that didn't matter when I started to get lots of headaches and jaw fatigue due to the excessive talking I do for work (I'm a speech pathologist). When I finally came across a good orthodontist and she diagnosed me with the things I mentioned above, she said that "just braces" cannot remedy my malocclusion. My treatment options were either full orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery to properly align my jaws or lifetime wear of a splint for comfort. Well as you know I chose surgery.

Well I just wanted to share what I knew in regards to TMJ and the treatment I sought. I think it's a good thing that you are going to the orthodontist. The orthodontist may let you know if you do have any other underlying problems that you may not know of.

Good luck