I have had TMJ for a few years now, never severe or too painful. I was given a mouth guard to wear at night, which I have been using 95% of the time (the only exceptions occured when I had irritated gums and the guard made it worse). I have never been quite aware of my facial feature, although I see myself in the mirror everyday and I apply makeup regularly. In the past two days I am starting to notice some changes in facial features and skull. Not sure if I am crazy, but I feel like my jaw is looser, my teeth seem to be slightly re-allinging, my bone cheeks seem a bit sharper, my chin seems pointier and the top of my forehead seems to be very little portruding (I never really felt it before). Now, these changes could have always been there and maybe I never noticed them, but could this be caused by TMJ? I also suspect I have some vitamin D deficiency, so not sure if this combination could influence the changes. I plan on caling my dentist tomorrow to see if he can see me soon. I am going on vacation abroad in 3 days for about a week, so I am hpoing these changes aren't all happening too fast.
very interesting you should say this. I have found that my mouth looks very different. I feel it looks kind of deformed. Would love to hear from others about this. I was thinking maybe autoimmunes have something to do with it.
Thank you for your reply. I feel the same too, although the changes could just be in my head. I think they were subtle, until they weren't anytmore, regardless did not expect my jaw to change so fast. I will call a new dentist tomorrow, and if I see him I will keep you updated with any advice I receive.
Sorry - I think you may have posted this in the wrong place - this forum is specifically for polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis and while we will offer suggestions if we have any very few of us have TMJ problems.
Laura my bite also shifted but I think it was from the Fosamax for bones that I could not tolerate after 3 weeks. If your facial bones are "growing" than your pituitary gland needs checking.
I recently got a mouth piece for TMJ. My first question to you is was yours custom-made for your mouth. If not that could explain some of your teeth shifting and possibly some jaw changes as well
And somebody else mentioned you did post this in the wrong area so you probably should repost it in the correct department . That way you might get better information from others.