t4 -Jill M., Illinois, USA

Hello....My name is Jill M., I am 41 years of age, and have been suffering with TMJD at some level since I was in highschool. I developed TMJD a couple months into traditional orthodontics. My journey is a long one, with many failed treatments, attempts with certain medications, and other alternative treatments such as chiropractic, craniosacral therapy, and massotherapy.

I've tried upper splints, including so called deprogramming splints that only have you biting on the front part of your occlusion. I've also tried numerous lower splints, that were each made in a different manner, but increased my pain greatly, or at best maintained my bite so i could still eat and receive nourishment.

Several years ago when things were at their worst, (meaning I could hardly chew, off the chart pain level, no real quality of life), I hit the internet on a huge search to try and find something that made sense to me, that was not invasive, and that I could feel comfortable trying. I was reluctant to start treatment mainly due to the fact that I had gone through so many things that just did not help, and made me much worse in the end.

After much thought and research into Gneuromuscular Dentistry, I decided to travel to Boston for treatment with Dr. Ramin Mehregan in January of 2012. It was life changing for me. The testing that is done to make the Gneuromuscular Orthotics are above and beyond what any doctor had done with my previous splints.

Dr. Mehregan was very patient with me, during this process seeing how severe i was, and how much muscular pain I had. After several days of testing, my bite was found, and the findings sent to the lab. Within two weeks I was fitted for my new orthosis. Immediately after I received the orthosis, I had a drop in my facial pain.This was very noticeable to me because that was my main complaint. Relentless cramping of my facial muscles was what i had lived with on a daily basis for a long time.

I was overjoyed...and so thankful to Dr. Mehregan and his skill, patience, and ability to finally be able to help me feel relief. I am about a year and a half into treatment, still wearing my orthotic 24/7., and maintaining on any given day a 50-60% reduction in my pain. I would like to take the time to personally thank Dr. Mehregan for giving me back what TMJD had stolen from me the past 20 plus years. I am now able to live my life again, and enjoy things such as playing with my children, and simply 'laughing' again with no pain. It's incredible what the disorder can rob you of...but I am on my way to recovery and it feels amazing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.