TMJ & the Shape of a Mouthpiece

[mwhities]

Man, I just set my SeaCure up and it's NICE. I do need to do it one more time to get the inner "flangs" to mold to the roof of my mouth. (The inside of my teeth I guess.) Otherwise, it fits well.

Michael

 

[frankc420]

Well, I bought the seacure a couple of weeks ago and I have to say, I really like it. Scubatoys sells it for I believe $27 or $29. There are 3 types so make sure the one you get (if you get it) fits you reg.

I dove 4 times this last weekend and I never had any discomfort. Honestly, I think it gave me more bottom time because of not having to worry about my jaw hurting or teeth hurting from biting too hard.

Any extra comfort you can give yourself, IMO, is well worth it.

 

[Matt P]

Any extra comfort you can give yourself, IMO, is well worth it.

You said it man!

I'm starting to wonder if maybe this is a reverse block and not TMJ. I say that b/c my ear feels full even though the doc says it's clear. I dunno...

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Matt P,

In your initial post you indicated, "I finished my AOW cert on Sunday. I noticed that by the last dive my right ear was starting to hurt. By Sunday night the pain had grown pretty intense."

With reverse squeeze, pain typically begins somewhat abruptly during a dive rather than after the last dive and then growing increasingly worse over the day. Not only is the onset of reverse squeeze discomfort generally rapid and dramatic, but until the ear is equalized the pain becomes increasingly more intense as the diver rises in the water column.

Hopefully you will find a solution to your problem.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice with you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Matt P]

With reverse squeeze, pain typically begins somewhat abruptly during a dive rather than after the last dive and then growing increasingly worse over the day. Not only is the onset of reverse squeeze discomfort generally rapid and dramatic, but until the ear is equalized the pain becomes increasingly more intense as the diver rises in the water column.

The first time I noticed was upon the ascent of my last dive. It was bothersome but not really that bad. Now, several days later, I can't sleep b/c of the pain. I guess that doesn't really sound like a reverse squeeze.

Can TMJ cause the ear to feel full & itchy?

If a doctor looks in your ear with that scope can s/he actually see a reverse block or TMJ irritation?

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Matt,

Given the history provided, and report that the physician who examined the ear found no evidence of infection or other abnormality, it is possible that reverse squeeze occurred which caused some trauma to the middle ear before equalization finally took place. The pain now could be related to resulting fluid accumulation and possibly infection in the middle ear space.

Whatever the cause, when a condition such as this seems to be getting worse and the pain is interfering with sleep, recontact with the doctor, including discussion of referral to an ENT, would be considered prudent.

(Q) "Can TMJ cause the ear to feel full & itchy?"

(A) This would not be a typical presentation for TMJ. With TMJ one would more commonly expect pain or tenderness of the jaw, difficulty or discomfort while chewing, facial pain, a clicking sound or locking of the jaw when opening the mouth or chewing, or headache. TMJ can cause aching in and around the ear, but intense pain localized in the ear and accompanied by feelings of fullness, muffling of sounds, itching and the like is more suggestive of an infection.

(Q) "If a doctor looks in your ear with that scope can s/he actually see a reverse block or TMJ irritation?"

(A) No, s/he cannot "see" either. If there is fluid behind the eardrum, and reverse squeeze could cause this, that material may be observable upon otoscopic examination.

Helpful?

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice with you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Matt P]

DocVikingo - good stuff. Thank you.

 

[IslandCowgirl]

I have dealt with TMJ since I was eight. The Sea Cure mouth piece is the only way that I dive. There are different models (I, II, III) depending on the regulator that you use. Good Luck!

H- the IslandCowgirl

 

[TSandM]

I agree with Doc Vikingo. This sounds more like an ear problem than TMJ, which is usually most symptomatic with jaw motion and chewing. If you are having ear pain bad enough to keep you from sleeping, a reexamination and/or referral to a specialist is in order.

 

[Matt P]

Yeah, it's weird. The pain stuck around for about 3 days and then just disappeared the next morning. The pain was in my ear and I was convinced it was an ear infection. Then, the following week the same thing happened. Dive on Sunday and come home with minor irritation in my ear. Then by Monday evening \ Tues morning it hurt again. The difference this time is that the pain was now in the other ear. It wasn't nearly as bad as the previous week. And, although my ear hurt a good deal, there was also a lot of fatigue in my jaw.

I bought a heating pad and put it on my jaw for 20 mins twice a day. I also took some ibuprofin. And, again, it disappeared in 3 days.

At this point I have to say it is TMJ syndrome. But, I really believe there may have been some sort of other issue with my ear the 1st time around.

Thanks everyone for your input