To whom it may concern,
In September, 2004 I started suffering with pains at the back of my head.
Symptoms were as follows:
Like having an elastic band around my head Sharp stabbing pains at the top of my skull The right side of my neck hurting Pains in my ears Feeling dizzy and sick at times.
I visited my Doctor who diagnosed a viral infection. This also happened on four previous occasions. One morning I woke up and as I opened my mouth my jaw popped and it was very painful This happened again the next day which made me wonder whether the symptoms I have been suffering with had something to do with my teeth.
Having clenched my teeth whilst asleep for almost ten years, I have been wearing a bite plate which was made for me by my previous dentist, this made me think that it was not working as it should be. I visited the dentist explaining my symptoms and he examined my jaw which was very painful and he told me that I was suffering with TMJ (Temporal Mandibular Joint Problems), he gave me a leaflet to read and referred me to a Specialist called Mr Rossington. When I read this leaflet I was so relieved in a strange way to know that the problems I was suffering from actually have a name.
Mr Rossington examined my jaw and listened to my symptoms and agreed that I have this TMJ condition, he suggested that I had a splint made. This is instead of the bite plate which initially fitted over my bottom teeth, which helped at first but it caused my top teeth to slide across it when I clenched my teeth and caused the problem with my jaw coming out of alignment. The splint was made to fit over my top teeth, but also housing my bottom teeth.
I had the impressions of my teeth made one for the top and one for the bottom. The splint was made to fit over my top set of teeth, but it also had the impression of my bottom teeth on the underside so that when I closed my mouth it kept my teeth in the correct position.
After having this fitted for a week the improvement was marvellous, I have now had two more visits to have the plate adjusted, as my bite now rights itself.
I cannot express enough how much this splint has helped and I feel that I am 95% on the way to a full recovery. I had previously told Mr Rossington that if he could help me that I would put his name up in lights. I am unable to do that personally but this is the next best thing.
May he continue with his good work.
Mrs G D B Hughes |
