Clicking/Popping jaw & extortionate dental fees

happypartygirl

Hi there

Last week I went to a specialist dentist I had been referred on to because of a loud clicking/popping noise comming from my jaw. I could also feel something moving in and out of place every time I opened my mouth. I did also have some discomfort but the sensation of movement was more annoying.

Anyway, the specialist says that I have a dislocated or slipped disk in the jaw and that this is being exaserbated (possibly even caused) because I am a night time tooth grinder, which I was completely unaware of. BTW I would have thought if I was my OH would have commented on as I hear this can be quite loud and we live together..

Anywhoo.. he says that the recommended course of treatment is to wear a nightguard to stop the grinding which in turn should help relieve pressure on the jaw. The nightguard he was trying to sell me was 1000euros. Yes a GRAND.

I mentioned that there are much much cheaper gaurds on the market and I felt he was giving me a really hard sell (which I did find very unprofessional) and that the cheaper versions can actually make the condition worse and that I had no other option but to buy his one.

I am in a difficult position as I feel he has me over a barrel - he is a specialist in this field, it already cost me 220euro to see him (including xray) and it would be too dear to seek a second opinion.

Do you think I should just buy a cheaper gaurd and pray that it works or any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help

cregg

If I were you I'd have a look around to see what other options are available to you before paying out so much money. I had similar problems to you and had a mouth guard made for €820 a few years ago which did no good at all.

I'm not saying that such an appliance won't work for yourself but it's a lot of money to pay out for something with no guarantee that it will fix the problem.

snoops123

hi happypartygirl
I too have a similar issue with clicking jaw and facial pain/discomfort. My jaw has always clicked as far as I can remember but only when eating certain foods. However, I woke up one morning a few weeks ago and my jaw was locked .. I could only open my mouth a wee bit at first but eventually got it to open fully.. I have been having problems with it since. Last week I went to my dentist who is referring me to a specialist.. I got in contact with one of them who gave me an 'over the phone worse case senario' which would cost 1500e over the course of a year!!! It sounds very similar to your situation as they also mentioned getting an x-ray and having to wear a mouth splint costing 950e. Can you tell me if you went ahead with this course of action as I am still mulling over it. At this point I do feel I have to do something as it is affecting what I can eat and it is still uncomfortable and tight. Thanks in advance :pac: ( I can't do this)

detriment

happypartygirl wrote: »

Hi there

Last week I went to a specialist dentist I had been referred on to because of a loud clicking/popping noise comming from my jaw. I could also feel something moving in and out of place every time I opened my mouth. I did also have some discomfort but the sensation of movement was more annoying.

Anyway, the specialist says that I have a dislocated or slipped disk in the jaw and that this is being exaserbated (possibly even caused) because I am a night time tooth grinder, which I was completely unaware of. BTW I would have thought if I was my OH would have commented on as I hear this can be quite loud and we live together..

Anywhoo.. he says that the recommended course of treatment is to wear a nightguard to stop the grinding which in turn should help relieve pressure on the jaw. The nightguard he was trying to sell me was 1000euros. Yes a GRAND.

I mentioned that there are much much cheaper gaurds on the market and I felt he was giving me a really hard sell (which I did find very unprofessional) and that the cheaper versions can actually make the condition worse and that I had no other option but to buy his one.

I am in a difficult position as I feel he has me over a barrel - he is a specialist in this field, it already cost me 220euro to see him (including xray) and it would be too dear to seek a second opinion.

Do you think I should just buy a cheaper gaurd and pray that it works or any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help

I say ignore the dentist. Either get a second opinion with a proper dentist who doesn't charge ridiculous prices. Or get a cheaper one. Believe me, all they care about is money.

*** mod edit ** I cannot believe I let this go at the time, this is the worst advise I have ever heard. Ignore a professional and listen to an anomyous internet poster? Then to insult an entire profession *** I am going to ban you for 1 month from this forum.

victor1

Yep have same issue, lhs back under ear jaw area, had clicking issue before and it got better, last few days it is causing discomfort when i eat/chew - should i go to dentist or doctor?

Same problem myself, it came out of nowhere when i was around 18(im 22 now), i was too scared to go doctor about it for a long time, finally built up the courage and he told me i'd have to see a dentist, only went about that a few months ago.

She told me i'd need braces as my teeth were unaligned, in that when i close my front teeth down on each other there are gaps between all the rest of them, and when i close down on my back teeth, my front top go about half an inch further out then my bottom teeth!

She said i'll always have problems with my jaw until that's sorted, have a medical card but she said they won't cover braces at my age so i'd have to stump up €5,000 :eek:

Question: Do any of ye as a reaction to the discomfort twist your head in a circler motion(not always full cirlces, but that motion to a degree)?!, that's always been one of my reactions to discomfort, along with clicking my jaw.

Also is discomfort permanent for you?, i never have any in the mornings, and can go full days without and discomfort in general, but can have some very uncomfortable days, usually when i'm doing little at home!!

victor1

No clicking was mild but never pain before, it clicks on rhs of jaw but the pain in on lhs of jaw, if i put my back teeth on each other it hurts, similiarly eating, that is chewing if they go down on each other it's quite painful too, JEsus 5k for braces, hold crap

georgieporgy

happypartygirl wrote: »

Hi there

Last week I went to a specialist dentist I had been referred on to because of a loud clicking/popping noise comming from my jaw. I could also feel something moving in and out of place every time I opened my mouth. I did also have some discomfort but the sensation of movement was more annoying.

Anyway, the specialist says that I have a dislocated or slipped disk in the jaw and that this is being exaserbated (possibly even caused) because I am a night time tooth grinder, which I was completely unaware of. BTW I would have thought if I was my OH would have commented on as I hear this can be quite loud and we live together..

Anywhoo.. he says that the recommended course of treatment is to wear a nightguard to stop the grinding which in turn should help relieve pressure on the jaw. The nightguard he was trying to sell me was 1000euros. Yes a GRAND.

I mentioned that there are much much cheaper gaurds on the market and I felt he was giving me a really hard sell (which I did find very unprofessional) and that the cheaper versions can actually make the condition worse and that I had no other option but to buy his one.

I am in a difficult position as I feel he has me over a barrel - he is a specialist in this field, it already cost me 220euro to see him (including xray) and it would be too dear to seek a second opinion.

Do you think I should just buy a cheaper gaurd and pray that it works or any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help

Hi Happy, He is not just selling you expensive plastic. He is diagnosing your problem and treating it. I think you will find that he will see you again to monitor the situation and adjust the appliance as necessary. I treat TMJ issues in my practice and fees range from 250-5,000 euro depending on the the degree of joint degeneration we are dealing with.
You can if you wish buy a cheaper guard and pray. Prayer will help but the guard may not

jetski

hi,

I had this same issue, i was walking along eathing a bread role and was biting very hard on it when my jaw clicked out.... just like your describing it would click from time to time and was annoying. i just left it and after about a year or so it went away

georgieporgy

victor1 wrote: »

No clicking was mild but never pain before, it clicks on rhs of jaw but the pain in on lhs of jaw, if i put my back teeth on each other it hurts, similiarly eating, that is chewing if they go down on each other it's quite painful too, JEsus 5k for braces, hold crap

Victor if you google NTI-Dr Jim Boyd you will get a lot of useful info.

A simple NTI appliance ( approx 250-400 euro) will often solve a lot of these problems. But a proper diagnosis should be made first. Ignoring TM joint issues is always a mistake. Sometimes you need to wear an appliance for life. and other situations just for a few months. If your bite is off some adjustments may be made on your teeth.
A lot of people who have back teeth extracted ("because they are not important" ) often end up with TMJ problems later. Replacing such missing teeth is necessary.

georgieporgy

jetski wrote: »

hi,

I had this same issue, i was walking along eathing a bread role and was biting very hard on it when my jaw clicked out.... just like your describing it would click from time to time and was annoying. i just left it and after about a year or so it went away

this sounds like you had a healthy joint but dislocated it when you opened your mouth too wide or something. generally this recovers ok. it's a bit like twisting your ankle.

doctor evil

I get the same thing as well from grinding my teeth at night. I find a holding a hot water bottle to my jaw loosens the spasming muscles and relieves pain. The dentist I asked this about (few years ago, during the celtic tiger) diagnosed this and did not do any kind of hard sell.

snoops123

I went to a specialist 4 week ago re TMJ and he gave me Anti inflammatories which I was to take for 3 weeks. I was also advised to put heat on my jaws, excercise my jaws and neck. I have to go back for another appointment however he did tell me that I may have to get a mouth splint which can cost up to 700e(not covered under health insurance) the other option would be an operation which is covered under health insurance. I am still in a lot of pain and discomfort ..so not sure what the next step will be?

BryanL

It's amazing that people always seem to look for the cheapest option. Where in life is the cheapest the best?
An NTI is a very useful device in some cases but can also makes things worse, what you pay for when you see a specialist is their expertise.
TMJ problems are the most difficult to treat in dentistry and is not something i'd look to save money on.
Bryan

snoops123

There was no suggestion that I was looking for the cheap option. I was referring to the fact that the health insurers don't cover the splints. In my opinion the reason for health insurance is to have cover when faced with situations like this. I pay for health insurance and would have expected some level of cover!! Basically, there is no guarantee with the splint and as it turns out there is none with surgery either. My query was to the experiences of others (was not looking to purchase a splint on E-Bay :P). I'd like to hear of experiences of those who have gone down either route for treatment of TMJ.

BryanL

Snoops it can be one of the most difficult thing in dentistry to treat and manage. At the very least go to a specialist (as you have) and if needs be get a second opinion. There are mnay ways to rackle the problem but certainly no 100% fixes. Ask the specialist about his experience and if they feel there is anyone better qualified to treat you.
best of luck, Bryan

hotshots85

I also know someone that was advised to get the surgery, does anyone know if this is covered under PRSI? If so what are the wating list times like?

btkm8unsl0w5r4

PRSI I dont know, the dental expenses it covers are rather basic. Maybe VHI or the like would be more likely to cover this.