Smile!

Katie and I went to San Diego today, to a dentist that specializes in TMJ. (A TMJ disorder is simply a disruption in the action of the jaw, usually accompanied by pain.) Katie has always had a lot of clicking and pain in her jaw. However, she only considered it to be an annoyance more than a pain. She's too tough. A friend of Aunt Jo Yarnall's told her that she had severe headaches until she was treated by the doctor we saw today. After his initial consultation, the doctor has determined that Katie's jaw has some disc damage and that there is a good chance that he can lessen her daily chronic headaches by adjusting her jaws with a device that is similar to a retainer. The following might also be something we have to look at: Temporal Tendinitis – The “Migraine Mimic”. Called “the migraine mimic” because so many of its symptoms are similar to migraine headache pain. It is characterized by TMJ pain, ear pain and pressure, temporal headaches, cheek pain, tooth sensitivity and neck and shoulder pain. We are going back next Friday to get Katie fitted up with the teeth molding thingies. Keep your fingers crossed. The picture was taken September, 2001, at the Los Angeles County Fair. Didn't want you to miss.