I really hope you can help me. My TMJ has been making my life miserable for years, and no one I turn to for help seems to be able to give me a long term solution.
Because of a severe teeth grinding habit, I had crowns put on all my teeth about ten years ago, when I was only 21 years old. They were not done right, and now the crowns are worn, and I have a lot of clicking and pain when I move my jaw. The new dentist I talked said my jaw is crooked, and that there is a slant on both the upper and lower jaws. I also have a lot of trouble with infections in my gums. And though this may not seem that important, they are just plain ugly! They don’t look real at all, and were never what I would call attractive. I am only 31 years old, and these things add at least a decade.
I went to a dentist who said he does “neuromuscular dentistry”, but it seems like I am worse rather than better! After two years of treatments, my crowns are wearing in different places, and now I have an open bite. I know I need some extensive work done, but I don’t know who to trust to do it! Should I go to a prosthodontist, or a cosmetic dentist? I learned my lesson with the neuromuscular guy - this time around I will be checking credentials and making sure they have TRAINING in what I want them to do!
I am worried that things are too screwed up to be fixed. Will a competent dentist be able to tell where my natural bite is supposed to be? And do I have to settle for these ugly kind of porcelain crowns because they are stronger? I just want this fixed. It is consuming my life!
Theresa in San Diego
Dear Theresa,
You’ve had a rough time of it! And chronic pain is awful to live with.
You were on the right track, looking for a neuromuscular dentist, and on the right track now in saying that you will be closely scrutinizing credentials and training.
You need to seek out a dentist who has both cosmetic dentistry training and experience and training in TMJ treatment. A dentist who is trained in neuromuscular dentistry could also be a good choice, but you are understandably leery in that arena. You are correct in stating that it will be difficult to determine where you natural bite should be, and you’ll need a top rate professional to help you do that. And never be afraid to closely examine the information they provide about their training and experience.
As to choosing between form and function, there is no need to. Porcelain crowns can be both beautiful and strong enough to last for many years, particularly if your misalignment issues are addressed and the grinding eases up.
Best of luck to you.
This blog provided courtesy of York PA dentist Dr. Currie.