Posted by billinvan on December 24, 2010 at 02:24:14:In Reply to: Re: My combination treatment for UARS posted by Gremlin on December 23, 2010 at 13:14:20:
Yes, you can get a tongue reduction surgery, such as radiofrequency ablation or midline glossectomy, among other procedures. I've had the radiofrequency done, and it has partially increased the opening behind the tongue, as seen by a physician, though its effect was minor.
The lingual tonsillectomy had the most profound effect, as far as the surgical procedures go. It was an extremely brutal and painful surgery that removed a large obstructive chunk of flesh at the back of the tongue and left a big open wound that stung severely with every attempt to swallow food for about a month, and greatly limited my food intake.
To make a jaw opener, get two athletic mouth guards. Mould them each to your upper and lower jaw, as per the manufacturer's instructions. With a glue gun loaded with glue sticks, apply layer upon layer of glue to the sides of the bottom mouthguard above where the molars fit, allowing enough time for each layer to harden before applying the next. When you have accumulated the glue layers to an adequate thickness, lay a final layer of glue to the tops, place the top mouthguard, allow a minute for the glue to cool, place in mouth and bite down.
With the glue and pressure points on the sides, most of the pressure from the jaws should be distributed mainly on your molars, and less on the weaker front teeth. You may have problems if you have TMJ conditions and such though.
Anyways, keep trying and tinkering around, and you should improve with practice and develop a method that works best for you. Good luck.