Mandibular Advancement Devices
I’ve been through hell with two common/popular Mandibular Advancement Devices. I have severe TMD, so I believe I should have never been in one. They caused unbelievable skull and scalp pain. I ground out most of the plastic on the inside to give my tongue space. It helped. That night I felt a suture in my skull release. I believe my body has been protecting me from the outward pressure the MADs cause with all that bulk in my mouth, so the fascia has tensed up. Early on, I was washing my hair and literally felt my skull was smaller! The thing was so bulky, and my body was rejecting it so hard that I cracked the plastic at all four molars before I knew to grind it down. Thank god that wasn’t my teeth! I continued to have terrible scalp pain. Finally, with all the modifications I have made to these things, I can function but am still not right. My dentist is hours away, and I’m not shy about getting my Dremel out on these things. I’ve dealt with orthotics and TMD for 30 years and have never had this problem. My historical symptoms are numb hands, arms, and severe upper body spasms. What a disaster these MAD’s have been for me. I have a new orthotic on the way. I used an orthotic 24/7 for at least 15 years with no problem. It kept me out of severe pain. If you have TMD and are prescribed a device to pull on your jaw when you don’t even have sleep apnea, just remember me. I hope you can be warned, unlike I was, and not get to hell before you realize you need to yell for help. I just think it is the stupidest treatment for TMD. It makes absolutely no sense if you do not have sleep apnea; rather, deteriorating jaw joints, you probably shouldn’t be pulling on them!!!