Airway Dentistry has changed my life and I haven't even begun treatment
This can get extremely longwinded so I'll try to keep it as straightforward as I can (while still getting my point across).
My symptoms:
I have run the gauntlet of TMJ/TMD symptoms. Initially, I was waking up with horrible headaches and horribly sore jaw/temples. Then I went to a dentist and had my first ever cavities in my early 20s... followed by a few more because I was grinding away the enamel on my molars. Throughout the years I began wearing a nightguard and grinded my way through a couple, I began getting masseter Botox which FINALLY helped but is SO expensive. I was getting anywhere between 50-60 units each time I went which was costing around $1,000 a couple times per year. Finally I got a referral to a TMJ specialist who sent me to a PT. PT treatments were working for the pain, but I was still grinding and if I slacked slightly on my at home sessions then I was back to square one.
What I learned:
Fast forward to my savior: INSTAGRAM! I was doom scrolling and found Dr. Travetti (https://www.instagram.com/p/DW\_nSf4CMAa/). This video in particular was speaking to everything I had ever experienced. Throughout my PT sessions I learned that my tight shoulders and neck are interconnected with my jaw issues, but this one video showed me HOW many symptoms I have that I didn't even know where symptoms: chronic neck pain, constant fatigue, scalloping of the tongue, extremelyyy narrow/small palate, tongue doesn't fit on the roof of my mouth, etc.
I had a complimentary phone consult with that Dentist's office and they further explained EVERYTHING to me - without me even telling any of my symptoms they were able to hit the nail on the head time and time again.
Unfortunately this dentist is located in Austin and I am in Charlotte. They said they could mail me a ring that I would wear when I sleep to do a remote sleep study, but I of course would have to fly to Austin for treatment. For now I am looking for dentists in the Charlotte area who will do this thorough treatment (they do palatal expansion, orthodontic alignment, myofunctional therapy, and release of tongue ties!!). BUT the silver lining is I feel SO educated now on what the root cause(s) of my issues are and I am extremely confident on the treatment plan I want moving forward.
So if you can't pinpoint the root root root cause of your TMD - check those palates!!