Lindsey H

UX/UI designer, interest in jaw issues and supporting others in navigating their complex jaw issues ❤️

I’m Lindsey, thanks for being here and having an interest in my journey! You might be family or friends wanting to see how my surgeries have gone, or you might also be facing some hard decisions for your chronic jaw/ TMJ issues that I have faced. I hope that what I write on this blog can help you to have a better idea of what these treatments are and if you think they would help you. The TMJ is the least understood joint in the body while being the most complex and having far reaching implications if something goes awry. You know yourself and your pain best because you live in your own body everyday, doctors do not. TMJ treatments that were never going to work and subsequent gaslighting are all too common from stories I’ve heard from others, and my own experience in the past seeking TMD relief. But there are also lots of very good and educated doctors for TMJ issues too, you might just have to spend a bit of time looking for them 👀. To be fair, not many of the population will suffer with TMJ issues, but I wish there were more in the dental education system for those of us who do fall into this category.

“Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.“

https://profilesofs.com/tmj-disorders-temporomandibular-joint

• (I personally was not treated appropriately early on, which led to many frustrating years of chronic pain, nonfunctional chewing, UARS, and my skull developing abnormally. There is currently literature on TMJ issues even causing scoliosis. Not to mention all the time, emotional energy and lotsss of $$$ wasted)

If you are facing issues with your TMJs, it is best to:

1. Get MULTIPLE second opinions to anything one doctor says. This goes for dentists and orthodontists too with any thing beyond the ordinary – like a mouth piece or retractive braces. Better to go to jaw surgeons if you are having joint pain, and make sure they know what ICR (Idiopathic Condylar Resorption) is. Many TMJ surgeons still don’t.
2. Be your own advocate. You are NOT required to go with the treatment your doctor recommends! If you are receiving another splint, it’s probably not going to be any different than your last. If your pain is getting worse and doctors are just wanting to “wait and watch”, go to another doctor for a second opinion. Request an MRI to see the true position and deterioration of your TMJ disk. Push for your health ❤️ It’s your life to live.
3. Research, research, research. Reach out on facebook groups for help and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to directly message people in these groups. Research online scholarly articles. A few good facebook groups are:
   • Idiopathic Condylar Resorption https://www.facebook.com/groups/IdiopathicCondylarResorption
   • Jaw Surgery Group Support https://www.facebook.com/groups/440226666112281
   • TMJ Surgical Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/TMJSurgicalSupport
   • TMJ/TMD – CCDMD Discussion Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/tmj.tmd
   • TMJ Fat Graft Patients https://www.facebook.com/groups/tmjfatgraft
   • SFOT Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy Support Group http://www.facebook.com/groups/sfotsupportgroup/

Surgeries I’ve had relating to my jaw,

• 1999 | Upper bicuspid removal
• 2007 | Scoliosis, T1-T12
• 2010 | Wisdom teeth removal
• 2016 | Bilateral fat graft diskectomies at the Piper Clinic
• 2021 | SFOT (Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Treatment)
• 2022 | Craniofacial reconstruction/ TJR (also referred to as “TJR” since this is the biggest part of the surgery. Some people have just the joint replacements, but many have to have multiple reconstructions/ movements of the lower skull)

• WordPress
• YouTube