Not sure what to do...comments needed! - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Clencher · 01-22-2007, 09:35 PM

I have had arthoplasty done on my left side. I have still been in discomfort even after almost 5 months. My dentist has determined that I have two cracked teeth. Although the cracks do not show up on xray and you can not actually see them. Both teeth do hurt and are very sensitive. A couple of weeks ago I was scheduled to have the two teeth pulled by a local oral surgeon. Because of the jaw surgery, my dentist did not feel comfortable in pulling the teeth himself. The surgeon said that pulling the teeth would put too much stress on my jaw and could make my jaw problems worse or cause the anchor to break away from keeping the disc in place. He took the both teeth out of acclusion and I am to go back this coming Thursday to see how things are. Nothing has changed, they are extremely sensitive and I can not chew at all on my left side. I am not in constant pain, just discomfort if food gets on that side. I don't know what to do. I can not afford to crown these teeth or afford root canals for both teeth. That is why I choose to have them pulled.

Any ideas or advice? Thanks!

Thelma-Louise · 01-22-2007, 10:20 PM

When you say he took them out of occlusion do you mean he filed them down a bit so they no longer meet or touch?

I am not certain but I believe there really is no way to fix a fractured tooth other than doing a root canal and crown (or removing it which is not ideal for you). The only thnig I can think of as possible short term or temporary fix would be an overlay (teeth fitted over the fractured teeth although I am not sure of their cost) or temp crowns (which should be cheaper than porcelain and don't require a lab to make them) made of composite or bonding material. Although this might buy you some time until you can afford to properly correct them you run the risk of them still developing nerve/root damamge or infection necessitating a root canal. Also - the extent of the fracture may determine what options will work. I once had a tooth that broke while a cavity was being filled and the dentist ended up making an entire tooth out of amalgam so it was all silver - lucklily it was a small tooth and not very visible but it looked strange compared the other teeth until I finally had it crowned many years later. But since the sides had only been fractured off and the fracture did not extend below the gum surface - which can harm the nerve or root - it was fine - since it never hurt even when eating.

I'm sure the dentist or OS will come up with some solutions or options as well - they just need to do some creative thinking. Do you have any dental insurance - if you do you could also check with them in terms of what they would cover in a situation like this.

Clencher · 01-23-2007, 07:01 PM

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, the OS filed them down a little so that they don't touch. This has helped some, but I still can not chew on that side at all. The gums both on the top next to the tooth and the roof of my mouth as well as the gums around the lower tooth are very irratated and swollen. The two teeth are on the left side the last tooth on the top and the bottom. The cracks are not visible on xray or by site, my dentist used a tooth slooth and they are both extremely sensitive and have a sharp pain when the tooth slooth is used and I release from biting on it. I do have insurance, however, the next to the last molar on the left side was cracked so I had a root canal done and crown. They didn't pay much I am still paying on it and have a balance of $400+ to go on it. One crown is $750 with insurance.

I have nerve damage on my left side from the arthroplasty. It tingles and burns around my hairline and over my eye off and on. It also still catches at times. A part of me thinks that if I could just get those two teeth out of there I could get better. But, the OS feels it will cause more jaw problems. I feel so discouraged.

Thelma-Louise · 01-23-2007, 07:26 PM

Does he feel it will cause more problems b/c it will change your bite and add stress to the left side or b/c of the force used to extract the teeth? You could get a 2nd opinion from another OS. The fact that you are swollen in those areas may indicate that a temp fix will not work. You may want to look into a 12 month 0% financing health credit card - I think Capital One - and others offer it. Its just another option to consider. Speak with the OS or your dentist again and see what else they can offer - I am sure at some point they will have to make some type of recommendation other than to just endure the pain.

Clencher · 01-24-2007, 07:57 AM

I think the OS is concerned about pulling the teeth because of the force to extract the teeth.
I didn't know there was such a type of credit card. I'll check into that. Thank you so much for your replies.