Want to Get Checked for TMJ Disorders, but Not Easy!

I have many problems with my mouth, like gum disease (hereditary), bad teeth, abscesses, and prognathism. Two different ENT said my hearing is 'fine', so I want to make sure the cause of T is not something that had to do with TMJ disorders. But how to proceed? Audiologist said that to see GP, GP said to see dentist, dentist is beating around the bush and said that one has to have problems for ONE full year with jaw before he refers to maxillo-facial or jaw specialist.

As usual, I just distrust what doctors tell me. Is the dentist right? It seems absurd to say one has to go through hell for one year before he gets checked for problems!

Thanks a lot for your advice.

 

Usually the dentist will take a panoramic X-ray that will include the jaw joints. If you have stuctural TMJ damage it will show up.

 

Your dentist can make you a mouth guard for TMJ usually about 100 pound to wear at night if thinks you need one .
I was lucky my ENT consultant refured me direct to Maxilofacial specialist due to the problem of my jaw and had a mouth guard made free....think I need go back see him again....lots of love glynis

 

Similar experience here. Dentist did the exam and recommended bite guard due to clenching and grinding teeth. I have been back when TMJ issues flare up. We have talked about referral to a specialist but there are only a couple he recommends (and they are not close) so he wants to make sure there is something that he can't treat before he refers.

Wishingluck - do you have specific symptoms of TMJ issues?

 

Thanks all. Well it seems my dentist is not making it easy to refer me to specialists. I'll just dump him and see another one then.