what is going on with me? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

paul4885 · 06-18-2005, 01:20 PM

I have known for a while now that I have had TMJ. I got a splint and everything is getting better. I noticed like 3 or so months ago that my teeth are not closing all the way. For what ever reason my very back lower teeth seeme to be sticking up to big making my very back top teeth touch them and causing none of my other teeth to be closing. There is a small gap between the bottom teeth and top teeth in the front when I try to close my mouth all the way. My orthodontist thinks that I am going through another growth spert since I am 19 and thinks that my jaw is growing again and in the wrong way. What do you guys think?

denine3 · 06-21-2005, 10:10 AM

I am wondering if it isnt the splint that maybe causing this. It sounds a lot like the problem I am having. I bought the split you make yourself at the store because I cant get into the dentist for another month, and when I have that in for a time my wisdom teeth hit in the back and the rest of my teeth dont touch. After a couple of hours or more my teeth will line back up. I dont know, am just learn all about this whole nightmare myself. good luck

luvtocamp · 06-21-2005, 10:25 AM

I don't know for sure but from reading this board a while I have read where some splints will do this. I have upper dentures and a lower partial and my dentist is kinda doing something where my front teeth bite together and I don't touch my back molars at all, but he said before I was touching my back molars and not the front- molar fulcum or something like that.. I'm sure others with splints will chime in here. It sure is confusing isn't it.

MidiVeg · 06-26-2005, 01:04 PM

I had the same situation with that drug store splint. I'd wear it at night, in the morning the right side of my mouth wouldn't close. After 1/2 hour or so it would start to make contact again, but I've been told by a few docs to stop wearing it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by denine3

I am wondering if it isnt the splint that maybe causing this. It sounds a lot like the problem I am having. I bought the split you make yourself at the store because I cant get into the dentist for another month, and when I have that in for a time my wisdom teeth hit in the back and the rest of my teeth dont touch. After a couple of hours or more my teeth will line back up. I dont know, am just learn all about this whole nightmare myself. good luck

Mosmom · 06-27-2005, 08:08 AM

Good Morning, Paul -

A splint can cause your bite to open up and often that is the planned intention of the device.

There are different kinds of splints which are designed for different purposes. Some are used merely to protect your teeth from grinding. Some add a little thickness to keep your teeth apart and relax the jaw and/or allow movement of a displaced disc. Some are repositioning splints which move the jaw down and forward to a more functional position.

Make sure your doctor tells you the intention of the splint he has made for you and whether or not it can cause permanent jaw movement.

In my daughter's case, she started with a simple splint, but eventually was given a repositioning splint. We knew that by using that splint, she would need work to close the resulting open bite. But, on the plus side, she has been free from TMJD symptoms for a year and a half and her bite has closed through orthodontia.

Paul, do a search on this message board on "open bites" to find others who have had the same problem.

Mosmom