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SarahofBorg · 03-08-2008, 08:35 PM

A few years ago (maybe 5 years) I had a molar pulled, and soon after I slowly developed a painless but loud popping of the jaw on the same side. I've had many theories as to what could have caused my TMJ to develop because it could be many factors. I had my wisdom teeth out 3 months ago but it hasn't gotten better or worse since.
But yesterday, on the opposite side (left) from where I had the molar removed and where the TMJ is, I had to have another molar pulled. It's the exact same tooth, opposite side, so now the teeth in my mouth are "evened out."
Is it possible the difference caused my TMJ? I clearly chewed differently because of it but now I won't, so IF that was the cause, will it now get better on it's own?
The dentist never says anything besides that they don't know the cause or the cure.

pipdog · 03-08-2008, 10:48 PM

I'm surprised your dentist says they don't know the cause or the cure - there is a whole dental specialisation - neuromuscular dentristy which both understands and treats the condition. Maybe time to change dentist?
Having a molar removed will cause uneveness in the bite. Ideally you should close on the same plane loading the jaw joints and muscles equally. If your bite gets out of whack then one side ends up having to do more work than it was designed to and problems result.
I am or was (I wear a splint at night) a clencher/grinder - I destroyed my lower canine with all the pressure, it just started to chip away. The one on the other side had notches at the base and has been bonded -so I need an inplant and orthodontic adjustments to get my bite right again.

SarahofBorg · 03-09-2008, 01:10 AM

I know I don't grind my teeth, I asked them to check for me and they're sure that I don't.
It could be caused by other things. I have a bone growth in part of my jaw, I keep forgetting which side though. I've also had a *lot* of dental work over the years and am only now starting to stabilize and have normal teeth. I also had 3 impacted wisdom teeth. Otherwise, my teeth are remarkably straight.
Actually this is the third tooth I've ever had pulled. The other one was at the very end and a wisdom tooth came in to replace it perfectly.

I did see an oral surgeon for the wisdom teeth, and he examined my mouth and also said he didn't know the cause for the TMJ. I've actually asked many different dentists about it. Like I said, despite my jaw popping easily I'm in no pain, although admittedly when they were digging in my jaw to pull the tooth the pressure on my jaw was painful.

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