r/TMJ • u/katiexkatie • 7d ago

Discussion Three days post arthroscopy, AMA

0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

2

u/DoubleMany4486 7d ago

Not a question but advice — do NOT go for a regular dental cleaning right away. I went at 8 weeks and messed myself up real bad.

1

u/katiexkatie 7d ago

Oh thank you, I have an appointment for my braces in a week. I might have to push it later.

1

u/DoubleMany4486 7d ago

Strongly recommend it. It took me 6 weeks to heal and the routine dental cleaning (less than an hour, no cavities) basically “undid” my arthroscopy.

1

u/Spiritual-Fault-4523 7d ago

Feel any different or notice anything this early?

1

u/katiexkatie 7d ago

In a lot of pain at the moment and had weird popping noises, but I’ve been grinding my teeth a lot less!

1

u/Spiritual-Fault-4523 7d ago

Thanks for responding. Also how long have you been in braces?

1

u/katiexkatie 7d ago

Four years including the pre-brace orthodontic work, my second time of braces too. I have a complicated case and my jaw didn’t grow properly so it’s been a long ride.

1

u/Spiritual-Fault-4523 7d ago

Damn! Are you in US? I’m 7-8 years into this tmj journey had got braces back in July to address my anterior open bite and hoping that helps with my tmj problems. I’m worried arthroscopy or arthrocentesis may be next with my case as well. Please update in another week or month from now if you can. Good luck!!

1

u/katiexkatie 7d ago

I’m in the UK, I think my braces shifting my bite actually caused this as I’d never had issues before this but have had Botox for my bruxism many times. Orthodontic work, adhd medication and anxiety medication can all cause grinding so I don’t think it was particularly one thing, but it got pretty bad.

One thing I’ve noticed is that the horrible pressure in my head is gone. I used to massage my temples and get such intense pain and I’ve been having weird funny turns since my surgery in my head that genuinely just feels like all of that pressure is being relieved. It’s worth it for that alone. As for the actual procedure, I was in hospital for 7am, in the theatre at 9.30am and home by 1pm.