Hi Friends! I'm Priya Mistry - the TMJ doc. This video is about dental work and TMJ Disorders.
I see many of you guys on Facebook support groups, on Instagram, on social media talking about how
you're preparing for, or anticipating, or kind of dreading an upcoming dental appointment because
you have TMJ issues and you're worried that this dental appointment is going to make those issues
worse. So that inspired me to make this video to give you guys some good tips and tricks
on how to get through a dental appointment while still having a TMJ disorder. So watch this video
until the end if you want to know how to do that, how to work with your dentist and hygienist
to make sure that your TMJD symptoms are not exacerbated by dental work. For those of you who
don't know me, I'm Priya Mistry. I'm a General Dentist with a practice in Portland, Oregon.
At my practice, we are dedicated to taking care of patients with TMJ Disorders. I work here with
my wonderful mentor, Dr. Arthur L. Parker. If you don't already, please be sure to follow me
on Instagram! Check out my Instagram handle. I do post here quite frequently, so there's lots
of tips, tricks, trivia, lots of information essentially on TMJ disorders, so if you like
to geek out on that stuff like I do, be sure to check out my Instagram! So let's get right into
it! TMJ Disorders can be debilitating! I see it every single day! I've been practicing exclusively
TMJ work for about two and a half years now, but before that I did general dentistry for a good 11
years. So in those 11 years, I remember countless occasions where I would literally put my tunnel
vision on. I would get to work and I would try to finish each procedure as efficiently as possible,
even if that meant that my poor patient had to stay open for long periods of time without
breaks. Those patients without TMJD could handle those appointments, but I've come to realize more
recently that those patients with TMJD most likely kind of suffered through those appointments,
feeling like they didn't have any other options.. and so i'm here to tell you guys that that is not
the case! You have options! So what, you ask, can be done? First and foremost, be sure to inform
your dentist and your hygienist that you have TMJ problems. Do not say, "I haveTMJ". TMJ is not a
diagnosis. All TMJ means is Temporomandibular Joints. Additionally, the phrase "I have TMJ"
can really mean a number of things. It can mean that you have clicking or popping in the joints,
it can mean that your jaw locks up, it can mean you have headaches, it can mean you have jaw pain,
ear pain, neck pain, any combination of those things.. so really, saying, "I have TMJ" is just
not specific enough. Oftentimes, unfortunately, when a dentist hears the words "I have TMJ",
their usual knee-jerk reaction in their minds is "this patient is high maintenance", when that's
usually not the case. So instead of saying, "i have tmj" tell your dentist, tell your hygienist:
"i have a TMJ Disorder" and be specific! What does that mean? Tell them specific symptoms - tell
them your jaw clicks or it pops, tell them it hurts to stay open for long periods of time,
tell them your jaw hurts, you have headaches, tell them exactly what's going on. Then go on to say
that you would really appreciate breaks during your appointments where you can close your jaw,
where you can massage your jaw muscles, and if it's possible ask if you can have a longer
appointment. That way the dentist isn't feeling rushed, you get the breaks that you need to close
your mouth, to massage your jaw muscles. Some dentists will charge for this additional time,
others will not. But most importantly: communicate, communicate, communicate!
Communicate with your dentist and your hygienist. When the day of the dental appointment comes,
put a sticker on your forehead. Why, you ask? A sticker on your forehead is a visual cue to the
dentist to remind them that you need a break. So like i mentioned before, all of us dentists
are so used to focusing on one little tooth or two little teeth in a quadrant in your mouth.
So really tunnel vision is a real thing with us. The loupes that we wear just magnify everything
and put us more into that tunnel vision, so that sticker on your forehead, on your cheek, wherever
it may be, on the tip of your nose is a visual cue to remind the dentist to give you breaks. That way
you don't always have to feel like you're asking or that you're bothering the dentist by asking.
There's a visual cue to make sure that you guys are all on the same page. And remember not to be
shy; you can raise your hand and ask for a break if you need one. Another thing that you may want
to ask for is a smaller bite block. A lot of us dentists use a little bite block or a bite rest or
some people call it a tooth pillow in between your teeth to help you stay open.
Most of us dentists have a pediatric size of that, too... so ask for the pediatric size. That way
your mouth doesn't have to be open larger than necessary, it'll put less strain on the muscles
and less strain on your joints. So another thing to do is the muscle releases. I've made a bunch
of videos on muscle releases in my playlist on this channel. I think the playlist is called
"TMJ Exercises/Muscle Releases", so check out all those videos and do those muscle releases before
and after your dental appointment - when the anesthetic wears off, of course. Those
muscle releases can be extremely beneficial in loosening up muscles and working out knots in
tissue that's not very happy, essentially. So lastly, if you have a TMJ orthotic or a splint,
wear it immediately after your dental visit. If made correctly, a TMJ orthotic puts the muscles
of the head, neck, and jaw in a very relaxed position and this helps to avoid discomfort or
pain after a dental appointment. Do keep in mind that a TMJ orthotic is not the same thing as a
Dental Nightguard and i go over this in detail in my video "Dental Nightguard vs. TMJ Orthotic",
so be sure to check that out as well. Let's go over the list one last time: Number 1:
communicate with your dentist and your hygienist about your TMJ Disorder and be specific when you
do so! Number 2: Ask for frequent breaks - every five minutes if necessary and ask for a longer
appointment time to accommodate those breaks. Number 3: Wear a sticker on your forehead as
a visual cue to the dentist to remember to give you breaks. Number 4: Request the smallest bite
block if they're going to use one at all. Number 5: Do my muscle release exercises in my videos
both before and after your dental appointment, once the anesthetic wears off. And Number 6:
Put your TMJ orthotic or splint in right after your dental appointment. So there you have it,
my friends! I hope that this video helps you get through your next dental appointment successfully.
If you have any questions, please ask them in the comment box below. Be sure to "Like', be sure to
SUBSCRIBE, do all the things and remember - you can never have TMI about TMJ! Thank you!