Introduction
My name is Diane, and as I start writing this in 2012, I'm 43 going on 44 years old on January 26th, married with two kids in fur coats; Java is a one year old Australian Shepherd with more energy than the Energizer Bunny and Wilson is a 14 year old Siberian Husky who enjoys long naps. I reside in Mississauga which is a suburb of Toronto in Ontario Canada. I have been waiting patiently for almost 3 years to have both my Temporomandibular Joints removed and replaced with prosthetic jaw joints. In other words, a complete or total TMJ replacement on both sides. There is quite a long waiting list in Canada for this surgery. There is really only one center in Canada that performs this surgery which is in Toronto at Mount Sinai Hospital. There are two manufacturers of TMJ Prosthesis; Biomet Microfixation and TMJ Concepts. I will be getting one from Biomet. If you'd like to see more information on the prosthesis visit
http://biometmicrofixation.com/downloads/BMF-7014%20TMJBro%20(d)4Final.pdf
This blog will be an account of my experience leading up to and after my surgery on February 7th, 2012 and will explore my emotional, psychological and physical well-being. My hope is that I may be able to share this with others who are contemplating this surgery, so that they get a sense of what the experience is like and perhaps have some of their questions answered. This surgery is still very new in the medical community and is not "mainstream" and I find myself feeling alone. In mid-January on a TMJ forum, I was lucky enough to meet a lady in Australia named Haley who had her surgery on Jan.17th, 2012. It was a blessing to have someone to chat with, who could share information and help me through such a tough time. I would like to help others or be there for others in a similar way, and hence have created this blog.
Before I proceed any further, I have to thank my family, specifically my husband Drew and my mom and dad for their love and support throughout my journey. Without their guidance, I would have never survived. I also have to thank my two dogs Java and Wilson, and Cinnamon who passed away in February 2011. They have been my constant companions keeping me company and sane. They are great listeners and love me unconditionally, no matter how awful I feel or look, and I've had some pretty nasty bed-head and swelling!!
Happy Reading!
Diane. (Smiley)
This blog will be an account of my experience leading up to and after my surgery on February 7th, 2012 and will explore my emotional, psychological and physical well-being. My hope is that I may be able to share this with others who are contemplating this surgery, so that they get a sense of what the experience is like and perhaps have some of their questions answered. This surgery is still very new in the medical community and is not "mainstream" and I find myself feeling alone. In mid-January on a TMJ forum, I was lucky enough to meet a lady in Australia named Haley who had her surgery on Jan.17th, 2012. It was a blessing to have someone to chat with, who could share information and help me through such a tough time. I would like to help others or be there for others in a similar way, and hence have created this blog.
Before I proceed any further, I have to thank my family, specifically my husband Drew and my mom and dad for their love and support throughout my journey. Without their guidance, I would have never survived. I also have to thank my two dogs Java and Wilson, and Cinnamon who passed away in February 2011. They have been my constant companions keeping me company and sane. They are great listeners and love me unconditionally, no matter how awful I feel or look, and I've had some pretty nasty bed-head and swelling!!
Happy Reading!
Diane. (Smiley)
How It All Started
In 2004, after seeing the same family dentist as my three older brothers for over 25 years, I started to experience serious reoccurring infections in my gums and teeth that would not heal. These infections resulted in multiple root canals, extractions and excruciating pain for months on end. My requests for a referral to another dentist or specialist were denied and my dentist insisted that he could resolve the problem. Like any regular human who puts their trust in the medical profession, I wanted to trust my dentist and believe that he was giving me the best possible care. After all, he was a part of the community. My neighbors and family had been seeing him for over 30 years!
However, my gut instinct told me that something was wrong. Something was not right; the pain and blatantly oozing infection that wouldn't heal was abnormal. I started to have some doubt but I was in the mind-set that I felt a need or obligation to honor the trust that I had instilled in my family dentist for so many years. Every day, it was like a tennis match in my mind…. One on side, my inner voice was saying; “This can’t be right. I’m in excruciating pain. After multiple tries, extractions, root canals and antibiotics, the infections and pain should be gone.” On the opposing side, my logical and trustful side was arguing back “My family dentist is giving me the best possible care. He’s doing all he can. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been practicing in the neighborhood for years.”
After several months of bantering back and forth in my mind, my inner voice started to win the matches and I decided to listen and take notice. I took the plunge and made an appointment to see another dentist. Was I ever shocked! My gut instinct was right. The second opinion revealed multiple issues. The new dentist took a full set of x-rays and showed me numerous problems that she deemed as being severe. Problems included broken pieces of instruments left inside teeth when he performed root canals, improperly completed root canals where entire roots of teeth were missed, improperly placed bridges and caps. The list goes on. I was immediately referred to a specialist that same day for a consultation and extraction.
I won’t go into the details of what took place over the next 5 years because you’d be grey by the time I finished, so here’s a brief summary of my dental reconstruction:
As a result of all the dental work that was required to fix the problems my dentist created, it put a lot of strain and pressure on my jaw and temporomandibular joints. This strain coupled with osteoarthritis cause severe bone degeneration in my jaw and temporomandibular joints.
However, my gut instinct told me that something was wrong. Something was not right; the pain and blatantly oozing infection that wouldn't heal was abnormal. I started to have some doubt but I was in the mind-set that I felt a need or obligation to honor the trust that I had instilled in my family dentist for so many years. Every day, it was like a tennis match in my mind…. One on side, my inner voice was saying; “This can’t be right. I’m in excruciating pain. After multiple tries, extractions, root canals and antibiotics, the infections and pain should be gone.” On the opposing side, my logical and trustful side was arguing back “My family dentist is giving me the best possible care. He’s doing all he can. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been practicing in the neighborhood for years.”
After several months of bantering back and forth in my mind, my inner voice started to win the matches and I decided to listen and take notice. I took the plunge and made an appointment to see another dentist. Was I ever shocked! My gut instinct was right. The second opinion revealed multiple issues. The new dentist took a full set of x-rays and showed me numerous problems that she deemed as being severe. Problems included broken pieces of instruments left inside teeth when he performed root canals, improperly completed root canals where entire roots of teeth were missed, improperly placed bridges and caps. The list goes on. I was immediately referred to a specialist that same day for a consultation and extraction.
I won’t go into the details of what took place over the next 5 years because you’d be grey by the time I finished, so here’s a brief summary of my dental reconstruction:
- Referred to over 10 specialists in the medical and dental profession.
- Underwent 3 major surgeries under general anesthesia.
- Received multiple bone grafts.
- Received 6 dental implant screws and 7 prosthetic teeth.
- Endured 7 extractions.
- Received multiple permanent and temporary crowns.
- Had my sinus cavities lifted, both left and right sides.
- Endured multiple root canals on the same teeth.
- Had a piece of a broken dental instrument removed from a tooth.
- Had multiple root amputations.
- Received over 16 months of physiotherapy.
As a result of all the dental work that was required to fix the problems my dentist created, it put a lot of strain and pressure on my jaw and temporomandibular joints. This strain coupled with osteoarthritis cause severe bone degeneration in my jaw and temporomandibular joints.
CT Scan - March 2010
A CT scan concluded that I have advanced bilateral osteoarthritis (degenerative bone disease) of my temporomandibular joints (TMJ). From the first MRI in 2005 to this CT scan 5 years later, my condition had deteriorated to an advanced stage of degenerative joint disease.
Summary of CT scan:
Summary of CT scan:
- Marked joint space loss in the temporomandibular joints bilaterally, more on left than on right. This is associated with remodeling of the femoral condoyles and bone on bone articulation on the left.
- Evidence of subchondral cyst formation.
- Defect on left side measuring 2.5 x 2 in the temporal bone mandibular fossa.
- Osteophyte formation on both sides.
Previous Jaw Related Surgeries
I have had two arthroscopic jaw specific surgeries in order to regain jaw functionality . The first was in 2007 and the second was in September 2009. Both surgeries were successful in increasing my range of motion (how wide I could open my mouth). After the first arthroscopic surgery, scar tissue quickly formed within 6 months and limited my opening which led to the second arthroscopic surgery. I've also had sinus lift surgery due to bone loss and trigger point injections to relieve the pain. The injections worked the first time, but after that they had little effect.
Sinus Lift: Also known as maxillary sinus floor augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase the amount of bone in the posterior maxilla or upper jaw bone.
Trigger Point Injections: The use of local anesthetics and other medications to bring about healing of painful muscles and other structures.
Don't I look wonderful in my Princess Lea head-gear? It took my husband about 15 minutes to unravel all the gauze that was wrapped around my head.
Sinus Lift: Also known as maxillary sinus floor augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase the amount of bone in the posterior maxilla or upper jaw bone.
Trigger Point Injections: The use of local anesthetics and other medications to bring about healing of painful muscles and other structures.
Don't I look wonderful in my Princess Lea head-gear? It took my husband about 15 minutes to unravel all the gauze that was wrapped around my head.