Last wisdom tooth; should I have it removed? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

susu2007 · 12-09-2007, 07:25 AM

After two months of great improvement, some of my TMJ symptoms have returned. I have only one wisdom tooth left. I had the other three extracted over the years. My dentist seems to think I should remove it as that could be the cause of some of my problems. She scraped off bits of the top of my wisdom tooth to make sure that it does not take all the pressure when I bite. It used to be slightly higher than all the adjacent teeth and would thus be the first to take all the pressure when I bite.

I would love to hear from anyone who has had similar concerns with their wisdom teeth. Can removing the last wisdom tooth I have help with my TMJ? Thanks a lot,...

Veggie_ladybug · 12-10-2007, 10:54 PM

I know that most TJM doctors agree that occlusion has a big impact on the alignmnet of the TMJ joint. It may indeed be the cause of your new pain.

For me, my wisdom teeth were extracted and my symptoms began. I think because of the over-extension during the procedure. If you do go through with it, stress the doctor the importance of not over-streching you. Maybe even allow you to take breaks during the procedure.

susu2007 · 12-11-2007, 05:21 AM

Hi Veggie Ladybug,

Many thanks for your post.

I was wondering if you had all your wisdom teeth removed in one session. Was that the reason that your jaw was strained?

I just have the one wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth are so unpredictable. When I had the right upper one removed, it came out in less than ten minutes. The left upper one took almost an hour. The remaining wisdom teeth is the right lower one. Maybe that's why my dentist thought it was affecting my bite. THe Panorama x-ray showed it sticking out like a sore thumb since all the other wisdom teeth had already been removed.

Thanks again for your feedback.