Re: Techniques to assess oral surgeon - to Terry

[Guest guest]

Hi Terry,

Yes, disc displacement can reoccur later but that's not always a bad

thing. Many people have displaced discs but never know it. For

example, mine had dislocated numerous times and been put back into

place as a teenager. Finally after the fifth time and several splint

adjustments, I was relatively pain-free and was able to chew

somewhat decently (for me anyway) so we assumed the discs were back

in place. This was in the early 80's and long before CT scans and

MRI's. I stayed that way until after my orthognathic surgeries when

the joint pains started again and I was locked shut. An MRI then

showed that my left disc was completely gone and the right one was

displaced and severely atrophied meaning that the discs had been out

for years but we just didn't know it.

You may have some numbness of your lips just like after orthognathic

because the facial nerve runs near the TMJ joint but it's usually

not permanent. The numbness from my previous surgeries didn't get

any worse with the arthroplasty or arthroscopy. After the joint

reconstruction (a much more extensive surgery), my right lower lip

doesn't move at all but the left side is fine (ironic since the left

had more surgery). My surgeon reassures me that the lip muscles will

come back but it'll take time. I feel tinglies there now so that is

a good sign that the nerve will recover.

Keep us informed how your next appointment goes.

> I think I'm going to take , , and Cammie's advice and

make

> another appointment with my oral surgeon, Dr. Perciaccante. I'm

> going to tell him that I was very worried after out last meeting.

I

> want to make sure he welcomes questions, and I need to feel

> comfortable with him before I proceed with the procedure this

summer.

>

> He's already informed me that he's done Arthroplasty approximately

> 100 times. Does that seem like a reasonable number? He's also

said

> that in terms of permanent paralysis, none of his first time

> patients have had this occur. BUT those that have it done more

that

> once have had paralysis.

>

> , do you have any idea if the disc displacement can reoccur

> down the road?

>

> In addition, I'm going to ask my orthodontist whom they recommend,

> although with Aetna, I think my options are a bit limited. Any

one

> else live in Atlanta and could suggest a good oral surgeon?

>

> Lastly, someone on this board mentioned checking malpractice

suits.

> How does one go about collecting this information?

>

> Thanks for everyone's help!

> ~Terry