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Get Braces or Bite Plate First?
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Hi, I have an issue which I'm not sure how to handle properly.
I had multiple surgeries on my lower jaw teeth over the last few months (I've recently been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, so not all of the surgeries were necessary, and I was just a step away from having my front teeth pulled out because of pain). Now four of my front teeth are moving as a result of the surgeries and their moving is making my TN worse. Also, since my teeth have shifted, my bite is really uncomfortable and the teeth themselves are visibly out of alignment. This makes my TMJ/D worse - I have bilateral disc displacement - as it's very strenuous for my facial muscles. My dentist agreed that I need braces to correct my bite. At the same time, my TMJ specialist wants me to wear a bite plate, I'm actually getting one next week. It's not possible to combine these two. I feel my teeth shifting all the time so the sooner I get braces the better, I assume, because eventually they'll stop moving and will stay in their - now incorrect - position. What do you think would be the right course of action in this case? Any opinons are much appriciated! Posted on 06/26/12, 02:02 pm |
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Hi there, I am no expert but I've had TMJ for nearly 4 years now - muscular, due to grinding and clenching, and have to wear a bite (orthodic) plate 24/7. I see a neuromuscular dentist and he reckons the reason I have TMJ is because when I was younger I wore braces to get rid of a big gap between my two front teeth.
So now he wants me to wear braces again to open up my top palet....he said I could wear a top brace, which is like a bite guard at night for 6 months, and this gradually opens and spreads the teeth at the back allowing more room. Then after that I wear braces only at the back of my teeth both bottom and top and elastic blands to pull the jaw forward gradually. So in my opinion you should wear the orthodic plate first, but I'd also get a second opinion if I were you. Hope this helps abit! 
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Braces could cause worse damage if your not careful. I also want to point out that if you are noticing your bite shifting that much then that could mean you are having joint changes.
I would either stick with one provider, one treatment plan or get your providers to actually work together and understand the situation. Also a second opinion may not be a bad idea.
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Thank you Debski and floridakris for your replies. As I saw my face in a mirror today I noticed that my jaw deviates badly to one side, so I should probably get the ortho plate first. Floridakris, you may be right, while my bite feels really weird, it may be - at least partially - due to continuing movement in my joints. So that's another reason why I should try to wear the bite plate first and see if I notice any change for the better. Once again thank you and I hope we all experience improvements in our condition soon! Oldriska
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I have had the same exact experience as Debski - bite plate first - 24/7 then braces - I had braces before many years ago so this is the second time. I had the bite plate for about 6 to 7 months then once the jaw was in place got the braces. hopefull they are off by end of November - it was a long haul but the jaw feels perfect. hang in there!
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Debbie how old are you if you dont mind me asking and is the braces working?
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I'm 32. Well, I got the bite plate about 3 weeks ago and am not sure if it is working. It's made out of a solid piece of resin, so it can't be adjusted-it covers nearly all of my lower teeth. My upper teeth hurt since I started wearing it. I think it's making my trigeminal neuralgia worse but can't really put my finger on why this is happening. I think I'll ask my TMJ doctor about alternatives - arthroscopy and arthrosentesis as there is a constant swelling in my cheek, neck and part of my jaw.
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i too was treated by a neuromuscular dentist and wear a bite splint 24/7. when i first got it it hurt like hell. but now im use to it. coming here made me call my specialist to see if any adjustments is needed because im not feeling to well with these pressure side of the head migraines. wondering if braces is the next final step.
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Well, this is an interesting subject. Years ago, I got braces to 'correct my bite'. As someone else said, it ended up making the problem worse. While I was being treated by the dentist, his receptionist has jaw surgery and that made her joint worse, too. As far as I'm concerned, I would have taken the bite guard and stuck with it. I do have the occasional bowl of popcorn, but otherwise, I avoid all the 'banned foods'. My jaw hurts like hell all the time. I wish I had a better suggestion for you. Whatever you do, do NOT allow a dentist to force your jaw backwards. My dentist did that and now my teeth are fitted to that spot and my jaw pays the price all day long. My new, fabulous, dentist who specializes in restorative dentistry, said that only real thing to do to fix it is to cap every tooth I have and create a new bite. $20,000. No insurance. No bad we don't have universal health coverage. I'll never be able to afford that.
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Marshabel, I would be very cautious with anyone saying that the only that will fix you is a new complete smile.......there is no proof in any studies showing that bite is what causes these problems. I know that it can play a part, BUT until their are more studies done then TMJ patients just get fleeced time and time again.
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