Teeth guard or botox for TMD, both seem so expensive, any thoughts

[ihatethecold]

Dentist has quoted £750 for a Michigan splint, which is far too much money for me, I have also been told by friends that they are uncomfortable.
The alternative is Masseter botox at £400 but this lasts about 6ish months i think, never had botox before so unsure of this.

I do need something to help resolve the issue of clenching my teeth at night, Its damaging my teeth and causing muscle pain.

has anyone managed to resolve/help this disorder successfully?

Morning! I have a michigan splint and it’s been really beneficial. I paid £500 a couple of years ago. I would ask around as £750 is super high.

Not tried Botox though and I keep wondering about it, but the cost per year to keep it up, puts me off.

Meant to also add, this might be useful. Not tried it yet myself but saw a discussion on BBC News.

www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/news/article/5652/a-self-help-guide-for-chronic-orofacial-pain-including-tmd

I think it’s a case of trying to break the teeth clenching cycle, as it’s a stress habit that’s formed over time… so Botox may be enough.
My DC was too young to have Botox, so we had to go down the splint route.

Take a look at tackling the underlying stress that is causing it, too.

They had counselling and were allowed more time off at school for sport.

I have a few splints but they didn't cost that much, usually it's been around 250-300 I think when I've had new ones. I don't know what a Michigan splint is though, mine has always been a hard plastic or softer silicone tray on the upper teeth.

I've had masseter Botox too and it was amazing, I could instantly feel the difference when it wore off. I have private insurance that covered it though otherwise it's unaffordable. I can't have it now due to pregnancy but will definitely get it again afterwards.

I buy guards on amazon for like 15quid to stop me trashing my teeth. Botox I'd get on the nhs, don't trust a beutician having a go, I've had loads and don't really find it does anything tbh

Did you specifically have masseter botox that didnt work?

Yes, ive had many botox trials, it weakens the muscles but clearly not enough, ive had local anaesthetic/steroids too (I'm a Dr by trade...the reason i developed it in the first place trying to sit exams whilst being a covid icu dr)

I have a mouthguard from the dentist, it cost £100. It's absolutely solved the problem, which was severe and even meant days off work.

I have Masseter Botox regularly. But it’s not as expensive as yours (£280). I’m in the south too. I see an aesthetic nurse practitioner rather than a dentist though. I go every 6 months and it’s life changing.

Im in South Cambridgeshire, are you close to here?

£400 seems to be the norm here

I'm having similar conversations. I have a mouth guard but I absolutely hate it. However, my teeth are wrecked so I need to do something. I think Botox may be my only hope so I'm going to save for that and give it a try.

This is so timely OP, I have displaced discs both sides and a host of associated problems. I paid around £1650 to see a specialist - who made me a splint (seeing these prices I think I was mad but I was desperate, I had been in utter agony). I just can't sleep with the splint it's so so uncomfortable! I am now back at the drawing board, the condition is worsening so looking at Botox or similar. A colleague told me only last week they get Botox on the NHS for a similar issue... Will follow this with interest!

I have one because I was biting through normal mouth guards so quickly. They lasted less than a year. I've had the Michigan splint for around 3 years now and it's lasting really well. It was only uncomfortable for the first few days, then I got used to it. If you're used to wearing a normal mouth guard already, it shouldn't be too bad.
It's definitely cheaper than replacing thinner mouth guards regularly.

Following this thread with interest!
I waited months for an appointment at the NHS TMJ clinic after referral and was sent away with a leaflet advising liquid diet and exercises. In so much pain and now getting stabbing pains in my head. Did anyone else manage to get treatment on the NHS?

Thats awful Justnipping, How does a liquid diet help teeth clenching at night?
Sounds like a fast way to get depression to me!! imagine liquidizing all meals when you have the ability to chew?

I have a splint. I desperately needed to stop clenching as my teeth were becoming damaged and I was in pain, so when the splint didn't quite fit (it is moved my front teeth a tiny bit out of alignment so I now can't eg bite through a thread) I had to just keep wearing it. Problem is, I now need a new guard as have ground some dents into this one, but I don't want to get one (which would need a new scan) in case it further misaligns my teeth. I can't do a night without it.

I will try the botox as have heard great things, but when I had botox in my face it lasted 8 weeks max so am not holding my breath and it is a lot of expense for maybe 6 weeks' relief (after the first two weeks while the botox starts to work).

The upside of the splint is it has lasted 3-4 years . Downside is the faff of getting a new one, and I apparently am now a mouth breather at night, so snore a bit.

I'd be interested in knowing what exercises the NHS advise.

I used to clench and grind teeth, but I now take magnesium supplements to help me sleep and they work as a muscle relaxant so seem to have stopped now. Might be worth trying with your other solutions.

My DD15 had a botox injection privately for TMJD and it didn't work!

That's interesting. I've recently started taking magnesium as part of my middle age survival routine. Haven't noticed any positives yet but that would be a great one.

Magnesium does nothing for me.

I have night guards and I've worn them for 20+ years but am about to have a Michigan splint made - £300 at my private dentist, so it's worth shopping about for the price.

I also have botox in my jaw but paid £250 last time to a nurse rather than £600 to my dentist.

I already take magnesium, although a lower dose.

@JurassicPark4Eva , where did you get a splint done for that price, My quote is £750?

@Justnippinginthegaragelove this was my experience too. I actually burst into tears when I came out the appointment as I was so disappointed and let down, thought I was going to get some help.
My mouth guard was £90 from the dentist, and has helped a little

The dentist in at in Tavistock. Worth shopping about dentists, just give them a call and ask the options!

I had this, now and then it flares up with stress. I used a mouldable mouth guard off Amazon, and wore it for around 3 weeks at night. I don't like wearing it, and it rarely lasted all night, but it did break the cycle of clenching and grinding. Its worth a try at least?

Can I ask a question to those who have found relief from mouth guards please?
Do they actually help to put your jaw and the disc back into the correct position? Mine feels like bone on bone and sometimes my jaw doesn't fit together.