Jaw Opening Device

Hondo
Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
After 5 years of not being able to open my Jaw more then ½ inch the Dentist at MD Anderson wants me to try and use a device called Dyna-Splint to get motion back into the Jaw.

I have use other Devices before that did not work, has any one every heard or used a Dyna-Splint.

Comments

  • Shellysa
    Shellysa Member Posts: 12
    #2
    I have just ordered a
    I have just ordered a Therabite to help with my radiation caused trismus. Have you used this device? I am only 4 weeks post-radiation but can only open my mouth wide enough to accomodate my little finger!
  • team stevens
    team stevens Member Posts: 46
    #3
    dyna-splint
    Hondo, we hadn't heard of it, but please keep us posted on how it works. Mike's having a hard time opening more than an inch. His therapist keeps trying different techniques but he says they hurt.

    Kimberly
  • CLRRN
    CLRRN Member Posts: 127
    #4
    Shellysa said:

    I have just ordered a
    I have just ordered a Therabite to help with my radiation caused trismus. Have you used this device? I am only 4 weeks post-radiation but can only open my mouth wide enough to accomodate my little finger!

    therabite
    Hey there...Mike used a therabite to treat his trismus. It definitely worked. Unfortunately our insurance company didn't pay for it despite it being ordered by the rad onc and we had to pay out of pocket but I called and they gave us a discount. He can open his mouth wide enough to fit 3 fingers. He is 3 1/2 months post treatment.

    Good luck!!
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
    Shellysa said:

    I have just ordered a
    I have just ordered a Therabite to help with my radiation caused trismus. Have you used this device? I am only 4 weeks post-radiation but can only open my mouth wide enough to accomodate my little finger!

    Hi Shelly
    Yes I used a Theabite but I was 5 years passed treatment, but I did use it for a few months and it did work except it damaged my never ending in the lower left jaw and I had to stop using it. But it did get my Jaw open to almost 1 inch before I had to stop, the problems is you have to keep using it everydayin order to keep the moition

    If you are just out of treatment keep using it, it should be mandatory i think and we should not have to wait till 5 years for our doctors tell us about it
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
    dyna splint
    You can Google dyna splint and it will open there web page, it is a very expensive device

    http://www.dynasplint.com/
  • Shellysa
    Shellysa Member Posts: 12
    #7
    CLRRN said:

    therabite
    Hey there...Mike used a therabite to treat his trismus. It definitely worked. Unfortunately our insurance company didn't pay for it despite it being ordered by the rad onc and we had to pay out of pocket but I called and they gave us a discount. He can open his mouth wide enough to fit 3 fingers. He is 3 1/2 months post treatment.

    Good luck!!

    My insurance paid 100% for
    My insurance paid 100% for it (Blue Cross) but they considered it an "exception." Guess I am lucky. It will arrive tomorrow....I have been using tongue depressors and although I have gained a little motion, I am hopeful that the Therabite will be easier to use (and more socially acceptable!) than stacking popsicle sticks in my mouth several times a day!
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    Shellysa said:

    My insurance paid 100% for
    My insurance paid 100% for it (Blue Cross) but they considered it an "exception." Guess I am lucky. It will arrive tomorrow....I have been using tongue depressors and although I have gained a little motion, I am hopeful that the Therabite will be easier to use (and more socially acceptable!) than stacking popsicle sticks in my mouth several times a day!

    Hi Shelly
    It's not to hard to use and it does look a lot better then popsicle stick, you are very lucky I have BCBS and they would not pay one dime to help me get my therabite, had to pay $560.00 bucks out of my pocket.

    I just got the cost of the dyna splint unit, get this you have to Rent it by the month at $219.00 a month and I was just told that my BCBS will again not pay on dime to help

    So I guess I will never get my Jaw open again.

    Remember it is very important that you exercise your Jaw every day as you don’t want to end up the way I did.

    Take care
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #9
    Shellysa said:

    My insurance paid 100% for
    My insurance paid 100% for it (Blue Cross) but they considered it an "exception." Guess I am lucky. It will arrive tomorrow....I have been using tongue depressors and although I have gained a little motion, I am hopeful that the Therabite will be easier to use (and more socially acceptable!) than stacking popsicle sticks in my mouth several times a day!

    therabite
    I used the therabite as well and it was covered 100% by my insurance. It helped, but in conjunction with visits to a physical therapist who improvised a number of exercises along with manual stretching of the muscles of the jaws, cheeks, and neck. Through this sysem I got a good idea of how I should feel as I performed the exercises myself. In addition I received some great massages :).

    Hondo is right: continue to exercise after completing therapy, treatment, and so forth.

    Good luck!

    Take care,

    Joe

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