“Thank you for my new smile. I am so pleased and thankful for the results. Thanks for all the TLC you all so kindly showed me during the process. Yes,….. I was a nervous wreck, but with your gentle help I hade it. Thank you for you patience and kindness & all you have done for me and my family .
Melissa's Story
I am thrilled with what Dr. Feist has been able to do for me! I’ve had three TMJ surgeries and I still had pain, clicking, popping and jaw locking.
Initially, I came to Feist Dental as a new patient for regular check-ups. Who knew how this would change my life. Dr. Feist talked with me about my jaw discomfort and suggested a course of action that included wearing an orthotic to stabilize my jaw. From the moment I put it in my mouth, my jaw never locked open again! I have worn it for about one year now and have since started wearing braces so we can reposition my teeth. I have to admit I was a little unsure about getting braces as an adult, but it hasn’t been bad at all.
Before coming to Dr. Feist, I didn’t realize that many of my symptoms were associated with jaw problems. In fact, the ringing in my ears was so loud, it was difficult to fall asleep. I even had my hearing checked, but was told I would just have to get used to it. Now almost one year later, the constant jaw and face fatigue has subsided, the clicking has improved drastically and the ringing in my ears is much better. Because I’ve had three TMJ/TMD surgeries, it is unlikely that the clicking will ever be completely gone because of all the scar tissue. However, I can say it is only there about 2% of the time and I feel GREAT!
I am so impressed with the Feist “family“ that I have referred my friends and family. I am very excited about my progress and am very thankful for Dr. Feist and this team!
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Laughing Again, Pain-freeJessann's Story
I was referred to Feist Dental through a dentist that believed Dr. Jon would know what to do. Before I started coming to Feist Dental, I was having a lot of problems with my jaw. I couldn't open my mouth wide without it getting stuck open. I would also have horrible headaches almost everyday…headaches to the point where I wouldn't be able to move. I have been to my doctor who couldn't come up with a solution to why I was getting these headaches all the time.
The first day I arrived at Feist Dental, I talked to Dr. Jon Feist and within the first five minutes after knowing my symptoms he knew exactly what to do. About a month later, I received an orthotic. I never thought this little thing could do so much. I have had the orthotic for about two months now and almost all my symptoms are gone. My mouth doesn't get locked open at all and I very rarely get headaches. Dr. Jon and all of his team have helped me so much.
Jessann
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Jeff's Story
For over two years, I suffered from jaw and facial pain, hearing difficulties, a ‘plugged’ or ‘full’ sensation in my ear and tinnitis (ringing in the ear). Initially I went to an Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) specialist. Over time, I saw 4-5 of the best ENT specialists (including Mayo Clinic) and their conclusion was: “TMJ – Just live with it.” At one point they even suggested I had Meniere’s disease, an unexplainable disease of the inner ear, which primarily affects hearing and balance.
Thereafter, I also experienced difficulty breathing, poor visual acuity, as well as a tingling numb sensation on my neck and facial area of the affected side. So I again returned to some more ENT specialists who couldn’t explain my symptoms. Their solution: Use Flonase (a nasal steroid) to help me breath easier (guess what—it didn’t help either; and the numbness, well…they didn’t know).
I regularly saw a chiropractor who was aware of my problems--but this was not a chiropractic issue as he described a nerve ‘bundle’ nearby the jaw hinge that may be causing these symptoms. So I went to a Neurologist who identified my condition as ‘unexplainable’ and offered absolutely no solutions. Since my jaw position may have been an issue, I saw an Oral Surgeon who also said nothing else could be done and to…’Just live with it.” By this time I saw over half-dozen physicians who could not offer any further encouragement; nor could they point me to someone who could help me.
In a local magazine I noticed Dr. Jon’s ad for “Neuro-muscular Dentistry.” I really didn’t know exactly what it was, but recalling my chiropractor’s comments about potential nerve damage that may be caused my jaw position, it sparked a fire in my mind to realize that dentistry went well beyond tooth fillings and braces. That is, I needed to see someone who specializes in jaw dysfunctions—and NOT someone from the more generalized fields of Neurology, ENT or Oral Surgery.
Simply stated, I needed a specialist in TMD (Temporomandibular Dysfunction). TMD describes the problem—it’s a dysfunction of the jaw. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) is merely the name of the jaw hinge joint. It’s a misnomer. Despite the semantics, NOT one single ENT specialist referred to my issue as TMD!! In short, there are highly specialized physicians who are NOT aware that TMD (if they know what it means) is treatable!!!
Nearly all dentists are familiar with TMD (although they may also refer to it as TMJ) and have had medical training in only a basic TMD treatment. Because Neuro-Muscular Dentistry is a very narrow spectrum of specialized medical treatment in the dentistry profession, it’s spectrum would be the equivalent of one-quarter inch on a yardstick!!! That is, Neuro-Muscular Denistry is a very highly specialized field of dentistry. That being said, Dr. Jon has extensive experience in TMD treatment over the past 20 years when he himself suffered from TMD issues. With technology advancements, Dr. Jon has the most state-of-the-art dental facilities to accurately diagnose specific issues causing TMD.
After a thorough analysis, Dr. Jon specifically designed a mouth splint to keep my jaw position stabilized. I suspect results may vary, but in my case within two months, Dr. Jon’s individualized treatment made a tremendous difference is my life!!! My facial pain and jaw pain subsided; the plugged or ‘full’ sensation in my ear went away; the tingling and numbness on the affected side was gone; my breathing and vision have returned to normal. This was due to Dr. Jon’s expertise in this highly specialized field to accurately diagnose the root cause of my problems (and not treat the symptoms) and use the correct methods to treat the problem.
While I experienced relatively quick results, other issues, such as tinnitus, have improved but took longer to treat. Treatment varies but usually lasts for at least one year. There is no quick ’bandaid-and-aspirin’ approach to treating TMD. But with patience, TMD symptoms more than likely may go away.
You need to be aware that other Dentists NOT specializing in TMD may prescribe a mouth splint as well. However their approach to treating TMD is based on generalized treatment that does not address the individual patient’s needs. It’s a “one glove fits all” approach that does NOT work when treating TMD.
Dr. Jon also has the best dental staff assisting him. They too are very knowledgeable regarding TMD issues. In fact some his staff have been or are going through treatment for TMD with the same outstanding results that I experienced. His technicians are very professional and are just as concerned about contributing to help me overcome my TMD issues as well. His professional office staff is friendly and personable. Since my work schedule changes frequently, they work diligently to accommodate my hectic schedule. His office staff is very knowledgeable about processing my insurance claims and has made claims processing go smoothly.
When you meet Dr. Jon, you will realize that he takes a true passion to resolve TMD issues that is individually prescribed based on the patient’s individual circumstances (no one-glove-fits-all approach). Dr. Jon sets extremely high standards for himself to provide the best medial treatment for each patient. When about 70% of my symptoms were gone, this would have been considered a ‘medical success’. But not by Dr. Jon’s standards!! He has a ‘never give up’ attitude and goes to great lengths to help me get back to 100%. I can’t speak highly enough of Dr. Jon and his staff for making a medical life-changing event for me!
Jeff
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Kim's Story
My facial pain began 5 years ago. I started having terrible headaches and facial pain, not knowing what was causing it. I made an appointment to see my doctor and from there saw just about every kind of specialist there was, ENT, Neurologists, physical therapist, dentist…. They did MRI’s CT’s, spinal taps, blood tests and came up with nothing. The only help they could give me was medication for the pain. On some days this wasn’t enough to touch the pain. I can remember staying in bed all day in tears because I hurt so bad and couldn’t think straight. Also, the fear of the unknown pain was taking its toll on me mentally.
A year ago my family and I moved to Onalaska. Still, having no relief for my condition I started looking in the phone book . I saw Dr. Feist’s ad for TMJ in the yellow pages and visited their web site. Then I called for more information. They sent me a booklet on the disorder. What I read fit me exactly!! I was so excited to finally know what was causing all this pain !!
I soon started the first phase with Dr. Feist, which was wearing the orthotic day and night. This quickly brought results for me. I wore this for about seven months and it almost completely rid me of discomfort. What a relief !!! I finally was free to enjoy my life and my family again !
I have now started the second phase, braces. Wearing braces again isn’t so bad ! I have even gotten comments that they make me look 5 years younger. Ha, Ha ! This is also going very well for me. I have had a few tiny flare ups here and there, but for the most part I am pain free and loving it ! I know the rest of my treatment will go just as smoothly.
The team and Dr. Feist have been wonderful. They are genuinely kind and concerned people and love helping others. Thank you to all of you for your part in bringing my life back to normal It has all been well worth the time and the money. Thank you again!
Kim
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