Dislocated jaw!!!

redwineguzzler

I appear/think'ish?? I have dislocated my jaw. I had some period of time when I was waking up felt that I had a stiff jaw, which then took a series of small uncomfortable clicks and eventually through some manipulation a rather loud crack which then felt somewhat normal again.
Mentioned this to my dentist, who said he wouldn't waste my time/money on x-rays, and has sent a refferal to the local hospital.

I was too scared to ask him why and am now waiting for an appointment, and am terrified!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek::eek:

Any advice please????

redwineguzzler

Bumping - especially for a dentist! what does he think a hospitalcan do that he cant?

welshdent

Can you close your mouth? If you can it's probably not dislocated. I suspect the referral is as a precaution to check for anything that may have caused the discomfort and click. Most of us lowly gdp's have neither the equipment or training to FULLY assess a tmj (jaw joint). Hence the referral

welshdent

Hospitals can do all sorts we can't do with the way they can image the joint. They also have people that specialise in disorders of the tmj. They won't know you have anything wothout an examination but even if you do the treatments are usually very minimally invasive such as exercises and heat packs

redwineguzzler

welshdent wrote: »

Can you close your mouth? If you can it's probably not dislocated. I suspect the referral is as a precaution to check for anything that may have caused the discomfort and click. Most of us lowly gdp's have neither the equipment or training to FULLY assess a tmj (jaw joint). Hence the referral

Because I have very slighly protruding teeth my mouth has never completely closed if you knoiw what I mean. But I feel that there is a constant grind there- which was never there before and the bones by your ears - one side seems significantly bigger than other, so when I yawn or eat I am very careful not to over do it, as it can be quite painful? hope this makes sense....

welshdent

Perfectly :-) your dentist may suspect you have something broadly termed temporo mandibular joint dysfunction. It's a range of symptoms affecting the jaw joints. We can normally recognise it and give basic symptomatic advice in simple cases such ad advising exercises and bite splints. However often it's better to refer to people that specialise in it for the reasons above hence the referral. Nothing to worry about though

redwineguzzler

welshdent wrote: »

Perfectly :-) your dentist may suspect you have something broadly termed temporo mandibular joint dysfunction. It's a range of symptoms affecting the jaw joints. We can normally recognise it and give basic symptomatic advice in simple cases such ad advising exercises and bite splints. However often it's better to refer to people that specialise in it for the reasons above hence the referral. Nothing to worry about though

Thank you so much for putting my mind at rest a little - was just a bit scared/apprehensive, Imj ust a big baby when it comes to dentistry (Im from the era when things were not quite so good as today!) Appointment is end of September so will let you know how I get on.

Thanks sooooo much xx:A

chelle230

I have a clicky jaw, never used to, but noticed it getting worse a couple of years ago, also get an aching on one side.
my dentist says it is because my jaw is out of alignment. it's just something I have to live with.
try not to worry, it may be nothing