Arleen

Hi Saaraah:

Thank you for asking about my appt.They were kind enough, but I still had that feeling of being on an assembly line with no one really taking the time to get to the root of the problem.

I asked several times before I decided to see him if they've dealt with people with sore gums and teeth and managed to get them into splint therapy and the asst, told me yes, yes. So, I start there, and the dentist says no, no, we've never run into this before??! Then when I started wearing the splint and got gum sores and receding papilla, I asked the asst if they've dealt with people with gum sores. Yes, yes, but again the dentist says he's never seen anyone with my problems??! Someone, or both, are lying. I asked if he was going to look at the splint? No, you take care of your gum problems first, then we'll see about the splint. Considering I told them upfront I was concerned about my gums, why did they make me a splint without first sending me to a periodontist? $$$$ I feel so upset and discouraged, and feel very much like I've been lied to and manipulated. I no longer trust that office. The splint also made my front teeth move, even though it doesn't touch them. Other nightguards I wear don't do that. The dentist said because the splint doesn't touch the areas where I have gum sores, it can't be doing that. Yet, my teeth are moving in an area it doesn't touch.

I see a periodontist this week, although I'm not optimistic as it's one suggested by the dentist's office. He met this guy at a conference or something. On a positive note, I'm taking supplements that seem to be helping my gums, which is better than any dentist has suggested.

I think I read somewhere that you paid $1200 for your splints. Is that correct? The reason I ask is because I was quoted $1300 for two, although so far I only have the one, and won't go for another since this one isn't right yet.

Originally the dentist showed me 2 splints, a day and a night one that sounds identifical to what you just got. He had 2 very similar night splints. On witha flat ledge under the front teeth and one with a slanted ledge under the front teeth. He said some people find the slanted one hard on their bottom teeth, so he'd probably start me with the flat ledge if I needed a night splint. He said not everyone did, as some people's jaws stay in place wearing the day splint at night. They reminded me of NTIs too, except that all the teeth were encased. I wondered if it was possible to get an open bite from them. I also wondered about all the pressure on the upper front teeth. I told him my upper teeth can't handle pressure. He seemed to think it would be okay. I've had another dentist tell me that only to find when I got their mouthguard that I couldn't wear it because it put too much pressure on the front. I know these nightguards would put too much pressure on my teeth, so I'm not interested in trying them.

Saaraah, do the splints I described sound like the one you got? Did you get flat or hilly ledge? How did they alter the splint? Do you have your wisdom teeth? When you say it's loose, does it jiggle around? it shouldn't be moving.

I'd be concerned too if it didn't cover all my molars. I asked before I went there about if they made splints that cover the wisdoms, as I have all 4 of mine. I was told yes, and when I had my impression taking appt, they were having a hard time getting them into the mould. At one point the dentist mentioned to his asst about pulling them. I was shocked how cavalierly they viewed my wisdom teeth, although I've found that attitude at other dentists' offices too. There's no way I'd have my wisdoms pulled. They perfectly healthy teeth. They figured they might not be able to put them on the splint, but I was insistent. When I got the splint, most of the surface has metal mesh under the surface to give it strength - but not on the wisdoms, so I'm wondering if they will one day suggest removing those spots.

If you're worried about teeth erupting, maybe only wear the splint at night. If you eat without it, your teeth will be hitting opposing surfaces, so hopefully that's enough each day that they won't erupt. I don't know how long it takes for teeth to erupt. Maybe someone else on the board knows?? But teeth absolutely can erupt if they've no opposing surface. During the day, do you wear a splint that touches these teeth that don't touch at night?

I've found YOU have to look out for yourself. Talk to the dentist about this. Perhaps insist that they do something to the splint to ensure this doesn't happen. They've got their own lab, they can add material to the splint to cover all your molars. Let them find another way for that splint to fit you. If your teeth do erupt, it's you (not them) who have to live with it. To them, it will mean more money, as they go about correcting the problem. Easy to tell you to be insistence, but I'm still angry at myself because I didn't insist that they look at my splint and do something about it on my last appt.

Anyway, sorry to grip so much. I'm just so discouraged and feel I've spent money that could have been used better elsewhere. This is a big concern since I haven't worked in a year. Please let me know how you do with the splint and what the dentist's office says about your problems. A migraine headache is not a good sign.

Take care.

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Arleen