TMJ Initial Consult

[Zoar3]

After 4 months of sufferring with tmj, my dentist (today) said the time had come for me to see a tmj specialist. I was almost "cured" (90-95%) mid-August when a routine cleaning caused relapse. Since then, it's pretty much been a day-to-day thing with usually at least one day a week, intense, truly horrid, Ibuprofen-taking pain. So it has not eased up fully or gone away. Financial issues, I'll be calling a couple local University Clinics over the next few days to find out their charges. I know my dentist is affiliated with and (I think) actually works at one twice a week so that might be ideal. The part is that the other university, (the one my dentist does not work at but actually complimented their dentists higher) is where my former dentist now teaches full time! I used to think so much of her, Not like I do of my current dentist but enough so that I should have had the courage to ask her about the numbing gel. Lol, I've already posted that story and don't want to waste anyone's time with that again or my own energy on it. I'll just say a time machine would still be might nice!

Question: My dentist said that besides a thorough examination of my jaw/joints (really my right one that is the troublemaker), xrays will be taken (I am hoping/guessing this does NOT involve putting films into my mouth)? I mean since it's of my entire jaw. Dentist also said something about an MRI? I hope not. (More $ I don't have). As far as possible treatment suggestions, sounded like a 24/7 mouthguard of some type along with possibly physical therapy might be in order for a few months to once and for all get my joint back where it's supposed to be and obviously end all the havoc it has caused me. Does this sound right?

I am not a doctor fan at all, particularly of ones I have not even met so would like to go in with some knowledge of what will happen based on someone's experience on here.

Thank you,
Mona