TMJ revisited

Two weeks ago, I went to see a TMJ specialist to finally put an end to my clicking-locking-painful jaw. 3 x-rays and several other procedures confirmed that indeed I have a TMJ dysfunction.

I have a deep bite and my right condyle is less than a millimeter away from my temporal bone. Hence, the clicking and the pain. My left condyle is only a millimeter away. The normal distance should be 3 millimeters.

Also, I can only open my mouth to a max of 29 millimeters. The normal range is 40 millimeters. (Yes, I have been having difficulties with biting but it does not stop me from eating a lot in the past few months.)

The dentist said I need to undergo theraphy and wear a splint (bite plate) 24/7 for 3-6 months to correct my bite. The splint and the theraphy would cost me 30 thousand.

Afterwards, she said I need to wear braces. And that would cost a minimum of 40 thousand. Goodness! Sakit ng mayaman pala ito.

I'm not too sure if I really needed the braces. So, I'll have to ask other dentists. I don't want to wear one because it looks painful. And it costs a lot. So, austerity measures na naman ito.

I'll be officially starting my theraphy tomorrow. I hope the splint isn't uncomfortable and that I wouldn't have any speech difficulties while wearing it.