Splint doesn't cover back teeth...super eruptions?
Hello everybody,
I just want to give a very brief history...I had a new splint made by my family dentist about 2 years ago(I now know that may have been a mistake)to reduce the cost... my current specialist was asking $800.00. The new splint is for my bottom teeth and it doesn't cover the back wisdom teeth. I found out later from researching the net on the subject of splints...the splints that didn't cover all the teeth were likely to super-erupted. Since learning this information, I am quite worried about my splint/teeth, because last fall I had a set back or flareup with my tmj. I figured at that time then, that all the gum chewing I have been doing for a couple of weeks at a time must have caused my flareup. I still have this "flareup". But I am wondering if I have a super-eruption of my back teeth.
My question is: How can a person tell if they have a super-eruptions? Are there signs, symptoms, to look for?
I would appreciate any kind of input. I am really worried about this.
Unless you are eating with a splint that doesn't cover all of your teeth, you probably won't have that problem. From what I have read, supra-eruption occurs when the ligaments around the tooth aren't stimulated by chewing. If you are taking the splint out when you eat, the ligaments are likely being stimulated. One of the most common reasons for supra-eruption is extracting teeth in the opposing arch and not replacing them. Since there is nothing opposing the tooth when chewing, the ligaments don't get stimulated.
Sometimes when people wear bite splints, their bite becomes open in the front. It feels like the back teeth have gotten longer, but really, the jaw has repositioned. That's what happened to me.
I hope you are doing well today.
Best wishes,
Michelle
[This message has been edited by Michelle99 (edited 05-12-2003).]
Hi again! So, from what you read about the super-eruptions of teeth, you don't think I will not have a problem with it because I only wear my splint at night. You said that super-eruptions only happened if the ligaments are not stimulated, right? Well, I got thinking... when I am wearing my bite plate at night only(splint not covering back teeth)I would think that the back teeth/ligaments are not
stimulated because I am not touching my back teeth at all during the night, but the parts that are covered by the splint...wouldn't they be stimulated because I am putting pressure on the bite splint and in turns put some pressure on those teeth only. Do you know what I am trying to say?
Now, stimulting could mean chewing, like you said, but I would think pressure is stimulating too.
These are just my thoughts. What you told me is very helpful. Where did you get this information about super-eruptions.?
I heard about that splints can cause open bites in some people. Have you read anywhere that it can cause overbites... I think it's sort of a stupid
question...but I thought I ask anyway.
I can see that you have done alot of research on this stuff, more than I know.
I hope to hear from you again.
By the way, I am not too bad these days... but there are some days that's not so great...but I learn to manage anyway.
You can find some information on supra-eruption on Dr. Boyd's websites. (I just looked at Dr. Boyd's site again. It says the posterior alveolar structures are stimulated. I guess that includes ligaments, because that's sticking in my mind from someplace.) I know I've read about it in other places too, but I can't remember any other good sources. My dentist has also talked to me about it.
Just the stimulation from eating should be enough to keep your teeth from supra-erupting. When you think about it, the most common reason our teeth even ever need to touch is for chewing. Even then, they really only touch for a fraction of a second at a time. When we are at rest, our teeth should not really be touching. When we are sleeping, there isn't any functional reason for our teeth to be together. The fact that so many of us seem to be chomping down on them at night is probably why this board is so active.
I have read that some splints can cause open bites. I wonder though how much is really caused by supra-eruption rather than by jaw repositioning. I haven't heard of splints that cause overbite, but maybe someone else here has information on that.
I've decided to spell "supra-eruption" the same way it is on Dr. Boyd's website, so now I have to go back and edit my other post. I wonder if most TMD sufferers have such anal personalities. If that's the case, most everyone I work with should have it.
Thanks again! I will look up Dr. Boyd's website...I had read some of his stuff before, but mostly on the NTI...I think.
I thought I give you some news today...I made a appointment with my NEW tmjd specialist today for June 3. I am leaving my current dentist for personal reasons...and this new dentist is not very far from where I live. I learned that my specialist is a female...something I think is a extra bonus...because I think she may pay more attention to me... my current dentist doesn't seem very receptive to my needs. Anyways, I am looking forward to the appointment, and hopefully go into a better direction for my tmjd.
I want to say thank you so much for all the information you have given me so far...your input was greatly appreciated and very helpful. Now, it just a matter of putting some of that information I have learned and put into motion what needs to be done for me.
So, I wish all the best for you, in health and peace.
I'm happy to hear you will be seeing another doctor. I think it's so important to find someone who is right for you. I'm just curious. Is TMJD treatment an official specialty in Canada? It isn't in the U.S.
Good luck with your new doctor. I wish you all the best.
I don't really know if TMJD treatment is an official specialty in Canada, but I do know that all orthodontic specialist in Canada have TMJD training. When I was emailing my new dentist about his training in TMJD and Orthodontic, he said that there is no specialty such as "functional jaw orthopedic" recognized by the Canadian Dental Association..he said this is usually included in the specialty of orthodontics (more correctly, orthodontics and orofacial orthopedics- which he is). Also, he is a member of the American Academy of Craniofacial pain. There is another dentist I also had emailed and I asked him if he is a specialist in Functional jaw orthopedic/orthodontic and he answer yes and asked about his training...his initial training was in Europe where, at that time, they were common use.
So, all I know is that functional jaw orthopedic is not recognized by the Canadian Dental Association, and as for TMJD specialist, I really don't know if it's a official specialty in Canada. I would be surprise if it was, because you said it's not a official in U.S. and as we know here in Canada, we are generally behind in things compared to the U.S.
So, that's all I know...I don't think I helped much in answering your question...but I tried anyway.
Splint doesn't cover back teeth...super eruptions? 
