What comprises a good, jaw relaxing bite? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Isobelj · 10-12-2003, 02:10 AM

A dentist told me last week that when the front teeth placed tip to tip the molars should not touch. Thus if one grinds there is not a lot of molar interference and the jaw is not so strained. Is this true? I do see that my nightguard has the front teeth lengthened (in plastic and acrylic). The thing is if this is so then how come an NTI which is attached to the front teeth doesn't always work to aid relaxation?

Thanks!
Isobel

Michelle99 · 10-12-2003, 07:38 AM

Hi Isobelj,

As simple as NTI looks, it is still technique sensitive. It takes time for dentists to learn exactly how to modify it to help the patient get the most relief. When I first started with mine, I got worse. It took a while for us to get on the right track. Fortunately, my dentist made time for me to see him when I needed him, and my boss always allowed me to go.

Sometimes the teeth have to be equilibrated as you go. I was really worried about that part, but my dentist was very conservative. He just ground away obvious interferences as he saw them.

I think NTI can be a good place to start for clenchers/grinders. Patients have to understand and accept the risks, and dentists have to be very responsive to the patients' needs.

Best wishes.

Puzzled · 10-12-2003, 08:08 AM

Isobel, I do not know if it is true but my TMJ dentist told me the exact same thing. He was also concerned cuz when I bite with the he front teeth tips touching there is a gap- both front teeth do not touch each other one leaves a gap in between when the other is touching. Deb

Isobelj · 10-13-2003, 07:32 PM

Thanks Michelle and Puzzled. Good point about the NTI being technique sensitive, though I do wish we could not be at the mercy of dental skill quite so much! I'm glad you could get to see your dentist as frequently as you needed to Michelle, just keeping one appointment can be difficult, that is a whole separate tmj stress really, needing to visit a professional for help so frequently. I'm wondering if I should try to try the NTI, given its relative inexpensiveness also.

Re the front teeth, what confuses me is that my front teeth are the same now as they were say a year ago, but then I didn't have tmj, it was not my front teeth but my molars changing which appeared to trigger the real tmj problems beginning. I can't help but believe I could be okay again if I just get my old bite back.

Isobel

Puzzled · 10-13-2003, 09:35 PM

My front teeth are the same as they've always been too, the molars changed with a crown, hard to understand it all that's for sure. A dentist told me to go to a prosthodontist and get a bite test done as he said the smallest change can trigger TMJ. I haven't done it though. I don't even know what a bite test is. I've read too many bad stories about prosthodontists that I am skeptical to do this. Deb