Is a splint or night guard better for treating TMJ? Could uneven bite cause TMJ? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

dal · 04-22-2004, 10:49 AM

I am currently waiting on my dentist for an estimate on how much it will cost to have a night guard made to treat my TMJ but I have also read about splints used for treating TMJ to prevent clenching at night. I'm uncertain if I am grinding my teeth at night but I do find I wake in the middle of the night to chomping down and clenching my teeth. Does anyone know which is better, if any, for preventing the clenching of teeth? Should I be discussing the option of having a splint made? Is one more invasive than the other? My symptoms are that I get some bad tight pain and severe itching in the inner ears, some pressure in the inner ears/jaw and tightness in the jaw or aching or tight pains in various locations of the jaw on/off throughout the day/night.

It seems that the jaw pain started after I had a root canal done on my back lower tooth last September. I asked my dentist if it's cause he didn't cap the tooth and the root canal tooth is lower in height than the corresponding tooth on the other side of the mouth. The dentist said that it's probably not from the fact that the endodontist shaved the inner part of the tooth down, assuming the dentist would cap the tooth afterwards. My dentist opted not to cap the tooth as shaving the tooth might make it crack given there is a large filling in the tooth....but i read on the net that sometimes a misalignment of the teeth could cause TMJ..........do I need a second opinion? I have yet to ask my dentist if he has treated patients with TMJ before. Does anyone think the pain could be from the fact that the bite is not level (I assume not since that tooth is lower)?

TiffanyAnn · 04-22-2004, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dal

I am currently waiting on my dentist for an estimate on how much it will cost to have a night guard made to treat my TMJ but I have also read about splints used for treating TMJ to prevent clenching at night. I'm uncertain if I am grinding my teeth at night but I do find I wake in the middle of the night to chomping down and clenching my teeth. Does anyone know which is better, if any, for preventing the clenching of teeth? Should I be discussing the option of having a splint made? Is one more invasive than the other? My symptoms are that I get some bad tight pain and severe itching in the inner ears, some pressure in the inner ears/jaw and tightness in the jaw or aching or tight pains in various locations of the jaw on/off throughout the day/night.

It seems that the jaw pain started after I had a root canal done on my back lower tooth last September. I asked my dentist if it's cause he didn't cap the tooth and the root canal tooth is lower in height than the corresponding tooth on the other side of the mouth. The dentist said that it's probably not from the fact that the endodontist shaved the inner part of the tooth down, assuming the dentist would cap the tooth afterwards. My dentist opted not to cap the tooth as shaving the tooth might make it crack given there is a large filling in the tooth....but i read on the net that sometimes a misalignment of the teeth could cause TMJ..........do I need a second opinion? I have yet to ask my dentist if he has treated patients with TMJ before. Does anyone think the pain could be from the fact that the bite is not level (I assume not since that tooth is lower)?

TMJ can definately be caused by an uneven bite. Your dentist should know that if he knows anything at all about TMJ.
Tiffany

westin4 · 04-22-2004, 09:04 PM

dal,
If your dentist doesn't know that uneven teeth are a huge concern for throwing your bite off, I would question him all the way around! Why didn't you get the cap put on the tooth, that is going to break off without a crown leaving you with giant problems, isn't it? If the "nightguard" he is suggesting that piece of rubber crud, and you have grinding problems, don't waste your money, I had one and chewed in 2 in 6 days.......I paid over $100 so that comes out to about $16 a day, waste of money. I am waiting for my new acrylic splint right now, it is just my own experience that those rubber or soft types are gonna last you minimal time and you sound like you have pretty significant symptoms, so I would see about a real splint and getting a dentist who knows ALL about tmj. Good luck
Karen

mjl1749 · 04-24-2004, 04:34 AM

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I am having so much of the same problems as you. I am being fitted for a splint. I'm really concerned about all of this. Mine started with 2 root canals and crowns. I have awful headaches and stiff jaws. You need to go to a specialist. They will know what kind of splint or mouthguard you need. Keep in touch. Marlene