Looking for Advice on TMJ Splint Therapy for Tinnitus

I'm nearing three months with tinnitus and I'm convinced its origin is my TMJ/D. I've had severe bruxism for years. I went to four TMJ clinicians and got the same diagnosis from each. Each provider then gave me a different treatment recommendation as well.

After lots of stressful thinking I decided on the most conservative treatment option given to me. I had no idea TMJ treatment is so controversial.

I'm receiving a flat plate splint next week. Now that I've paid for and had it made I'm reading opinions online that this type of splint can actually make things worse. I don't know who to believe anymore.

I'm looking for advice from people who have experienced splint therapy for TMJ/Tinnitus and what worked or didn't work for them.

I realize every situation is different, but I value input from anyone with experience in this area. Thank you.

 

One other point. Tinnitus appeared overnight ten days after I had dental work done. During the dental work I had a bite block in my mouth on the side where the TMJ is the worst. It became so painful I had to take it out half way through the procedure. The TMJ specialists told me my jaw was in a precarious position before that and that bite block might have been the final piece that put me in this position. Has anybody every heard of a situation like that?

 

@Greg Sacramento has some good info about tinnitus and TMJ I think.

 

Are you talking about a plastic mouth splint that you wear on your bottom set and you keep it in all day (but don't sleep with it in)?

If so read on. 10 years ago I took a bite out of a bread roll and felt this ping in my left jaw joint. Instantly a new tinnitus noise started and for 5 months it was horrendous. I'm surprised I lived.

I went to see a dentist, got xrayed and sure enough had TMJ and a mouth splint was made.

I wore it religiously and went to see a cranial osteopath. 5 or so months later my new tinnitus disappeared.

It worked for me.

 

Thank you. The one I'm getting goes on the top of my jaw and will be worn only while sleeping. Supposedly, it will keep my jaw in a relaxed position and distribute any bruxism forces over all my teeth. Currently my bruxism force goes through only the back two teeth right up into the joint. The specialist thinks this will recapture the disc and allow the joint to heal.

 

@spedgas What sort of dental work did you have done?

 

Nothing fancy, just two fillings on my lower left molars. These were the first fillings I've ever had done. The bite block didn't seem unreasonable at the time.