:dizzy: Hey there. I have been going back and forth to the dentists and leaking money $$$...I convinced my dentist to really check out my bite and lo and behold it seems to have something to do with my sore gums above my recent root canals on a bridge replacement. Go figure. I am still waiting for my "before" x-rays from the dentist who did the root canals so in the meantime tried the bite thing. I have some back molars radiating a horrible firey pain to the two root canaled teeth and even shot down to bottom molars on the same side. They are fine health wise. Now the front right side is getting involved. All of my teeth seem to be extremely irritated. There is definitely a correlation between chewing and pain. The pain to touch above the canaled teeth is still there but I am willing to bet my bite is freaking the nerves out on those teeth. I also pointed out my gum is being pinched between a crown of the bridge and next tooth which is next to the other molars who seem to be hitting first and hurt. I'm taking advil and arnica homeopathic remedy for bruising and dental work and it seems to be helping at this point. I am asking dentist to make me a night guard as I found I am grinding the heck out of my teeth and some are starting to get loose at night. What kind of nightguards would work as a retainer type thing and hold the teeth in place, but also cushion? He wants to do only the bottom but I don't see how that is going to change anything since I jut my bottom jaw forward and ram the back of the bridge, the guard would only close the space between even more and with pressure. Also, doesn't it seem logical to measure the bite while sitting up straight? He keeps doing this while I am laying back but every time he files something off when I sit up it is back to where it was, hitting, duh. Why is it like pulling teeth sometimes with dentists????? okay, bad joke I know...

I think you may be heading down the road of tmj - usually bite changes especially due to crown or bridge work can start the ball rolling. Ill fitting dental prosthestics like bridge work that don't let your jaw move normally or cause pain like pinching or pressure between natural teeth can set off muscular problems as well as affecting the nerves that run along the jaw and gum tissue. Equilibration or bite adjustments should hopefully resolve some of it as well as adjusting the bridge work but unfortunately all too often it can cause the bite to become imbalanced even more so. I have had the same issue with adjustments being done while lying down that have made things worse and was told it is b/c I tend to have an overbite and bite first with my back teeth - supposedly the proper bite is when the front teeth meet first. I would suggest you find a neuromuscular or holistic dentist or a dentist trained in tmj who can analyze your bite and properly correct it. Most dentists have different theories regarding mouth guards, some insist uppers are better and others insist lowers are - their main goal is to just cushion the teeth when your mouth is in a relaxed position so the forces exerted when the teeth meet are somewhat lessened. Some prefer soft rubbery guards and others prefer the hard acylic splints. Since you have to wear it and be comfortable tell your dentist your concerns or why you have a preference - chances are he will try an accomodate you. They also make a one piece upper and lower guard kind of like what is worn for sports - but I found it very uncomfortable.

Hey Thelma Louise, Yes, I have that sinking feeling too. I'm going down the TMJ highway. I am trying to see a chiro I know and like who does tmj adjustements with her hand inside the mouth massaging the joints...Every day it seems my face is getting tighter and tighter and I am clenching more. He drills off some teeth but that night I am busy busting boulders agaiin iin front. And why would a proper bite be to hit the front teeth first? The molars are for chewing...I have this touchy bridge in front, two crowns on the bottom of that bridge, and the other two front bottom teeth are quickly loosening from banging. I can put a loop of dental floss in my mouth and it just falls out from my molars right side, and left only grabs one high spot. I can even pull my lips out to the side and SEE they aren't touching. I tried to get the dentist to look at the high molar side and I swear he just wants to grind me down slowly at $$$ a pop. I think I might just buy one of those do it yourself internet night guard kits if I can't hurt my teeth with them. I'm going to try the chiro next and then see how my bite shifts if at all..after that maybe I will have to go shopping for a new dentist like you said. Thanks for answering me!

Hi Thelma Louise!
I forgot to ask you, what would be an adjusment of a bridge? I asked him if it would be possible to pull the bridge off and see if the pain in the gum etc., goes away but he said the new bridges break very easily and he wouldn't try. So if the bridge is too wide and making this pressure ( which it is I'm sure since my gum tissue is all pinched up on one side ) how would anyone adjust it? Thank you for all your help so far!!!1