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dentistry and tourette ?


usul0

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hi there,

 

anyone has already heard about Dr Brendan Stack method? there are several vids on youtube like this one :

 

i think it is impressive...

 

i crawled across the web but was able to find only one paper on the subject : www.tmjstack.com/casereport.pdf

 

Usul

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yes, we have had a number of discussions on this here

 

unfortunately, those that tried it did not report remarkable results

 

it seems may be helpful for *some* people who have that TMJ allignment problem but it is NOT "the" cause or cure for Tourette Syndrome

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  • 3 months later...

I'm one of the people that tried this in 2009, via Dr. Sims in Maryland. I got a device to wear that adjusted wear the jaw closed. The idea was later on, if it worked well, adjustment of bones would take place for a permanent solution. I think for someone with a true structural issue causing TS, most quality TMJ docs would be able to handle this. On the other hand, I went to a local TMJ doc after getting this, to talk about long-term adjustments, and he said he would not have given me as much of an adjustment. Dr. Sims adjusted it to the point where the mouth was very open, and by all measures, the adjustment was beyond the "right" amount. However, that adjustment was necessary to obtain the relief I did from the device. You can read that long thread below, and see it was helpful for me. However, it was not the ultimate answer. It turns out I had lyme disease, and after treatment for lyme disease, the device is no longer helpful for me. Lyme infection of the TMJ can make the joint sensitive, and perhaps that is way the extreme adjustment, where some nerves were probably never being irritated even a little bit, was helpful until the infection was treated.

 

So the mixed feelings I have answering your question are, for a proper adjustment, a quality local TMJ specialist should work. But, to obtain the most short-term relief, regardless of the actual cause, someone like Sims could be better.

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Thanks Michael.

 

If the device makes my mouth not be able to close well , then, it's not worth it.

 

one question, is Dr. sims's treatment same as normal treatment for TMJ or have his own special way ? would there be any side effect if i do this via local tmj dentist . I called a few local tmj dentist office , it seems that no one heard of that.

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I really think, in general, they are the same type of treatment. Every doctor is going to have, at least slightly, their own way of doing things. The TMJ docs are going to focus some on proper structure/placement, and some on removing symptoms. It seems a doc not familiar with tics and how it relates to TMJ is not the ideal choice, as they will not be experienced and focused on removing the tics. It could work out to go to a TMJ doc not familiar with that, as their techniques of proper structure and other symptoms (even ones you may not be aware you have) could be sufficient to give you the adjustment needed to remove the tics--but it is just not the ideal situation. It's a decision you need to make based on how practical it is to find a TMJ doc familiar with the tics. Of course Dr. Sims and Dr. Stack are options, but I know a TMJ doc in Tampa--Dr. Garcia--who is also familiar with that, so they are not the only options.

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I found my jaw may have some problem . when I see in the mirror that when I open and close my lower jaw , the movement is not smooth , however I have no other symptoms.

 

Maybe it won't hurt if I go to see a local tmj doctor . but no idea if the insurance covers that.

 

anybody has any experience finding insurance covering ? Thx

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I found my jaw may have some problem . when I see in the mirror that when I open and close my lower jaw , the movement is not smooth , however I have no other symptoms.

 

Maybe it won't hurt if I go to see a local tmj doctor . but no idea if the insurance covers that.

 

anybody has any experience finding insurance covering ? Thx

 

 

My health insurance (not dental insurance, but major medical health insurance) covered TMJ treatment, subject to the standard deductible and coinsurance that my coverage had. I am guessing that's fairly standard, but can't say that I know that for sure.

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  • 7 months later...

I am thoroughly convinced in the Sims/Stack appliance (the neurocranio vertical distractor).

I had my 11 year old son bite down on a wooden spoon & to my surprise it worked! he went from constant tics to less than 1 when the spoon was in his mouth. as a nurse I understand the research (which has been published in CRANIO and I believe there is a citation in NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) as well.

The last thing I want my 11 year old son on is psychotropics, especially in light of an alternative therapy for Tourette's but we have to wait a while longer for the appliance (no medical-dental insurance).

 

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I'm one of the people that tried this in 2009, via Dr. Sims in Maryland. I got a device to wear that adjusted wear the jaw closed. The idea was later on, if it worked well, adjustment of bones would take place for a permanent solution. I think for someone with a true structural issue causing TS, most quality TMJ docs would be able to handle this. On the other hand, I went to a local TMJ doc after getting this, to talk about long-term adjustments, and he said he would not have given me as much of an adjustment. Dr. Sims adjusted it to the point where the mouth was very open, and by all measures, the adjustment was beyond the "right" amount. However, that adjustment was necessary to obtain the relief I did from the device. You can read that long thread below, and see it was helpful for me. However, it was not the ultimate answer. It turns out I had lyme disease, and after treatment for lyme disease, the device is no longer helpful for me. Lyme infection of the TMJ can make the joint sensitive, and perhaps that is way the extreme adjustment, where some nerves were probably never being irritated even a little bit, was helpful until the infection was treated.

 

So the mixed feelings I have answering your question are, for a proper adjustment, a quality local TMJ specialist should work. But, to obtain the most short-term relief, regardless of the actual cause, someone like Sims could be better.

 

 

Once my son (age 11) has the appliance he will need to go back in for frequent adjustments. that's a given. with normal growth & development the alignment will be off, the musculature will also change, esp when there is a prosthesis in place (in growth or as an adult). fyi- my son's tics are nearly identical to the young man in Dr Stack's #1 video.

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