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Question:
Arthroscopic surgery - TMJ Pain: For a year and a half, I've had a serious jaw problem.
I've seen 6 doctors, two being oral surgeons. One did arthroscopic surgery on my left jaw joint because my disc is too large. He shaved off some of the joint to give the disc more room. The surgery worked for 3 weeks after. Then, the pain returned.
I have horrible pain in both the right and left side of my jaw. My doctor knows and says he doesn't know what to do. I can't eat solid food, yawning hurts, and it hurts when I'm not doing anything. Opening my mouth, I get to about 30 mm and it won't go any farther. It's very painful.
I'm 16 years old, and don't want to be in pain for life. ... Visitor from WI
Answer:
After undergoing surgery, you should go back to the surgeon! I am sure a proper diagnosis has been made
with follow through being done by a dentist with knowlege regarding your diagnosis so go back and see what they can do.
You may be best served finding a dentist that specializes in TMJ problems near you for easy access. You can go to an Orthodontist for a consultation as they often work with jaw/bite problems and can certainly
help you with bite splints/ solutions to your painful jaw issues.
Your limited opening is suggestive of an anteriorly displaced disc, where the jaw can't hop back onto the cartilage. Sometimes for this treatment, splint therapy is used to try and coax the jaw back on to the disc. Sometimes, further surgery may be indicated. But certainly, you need to continue looking for a solution.
Wisconsin Reconstructive Implant Dentistry
Wisconsin Prosthodontics
Richard Winter, DDS MAGD
Winter Dental Associates
Hampton Dental Associates
5323 W. Hampton Avenue
Milwaukee Wisconsin WI 53218
(414) 464-9021
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