4 replies to this topic

[TheFountain]

I have a problem that is alarming me a little. I will describe the symptoms as best I can and hope some of the dental experts can chime in with their opinions before I make the move to see a local dentist (little money and no insurance).

Okay so, about two years ago (I would estimate early to mid 2009) I had a composite 'filling' done on one side of my mouth, but it was more than a mere 'filling'. It was actually making up at least 50% of the tooth. Does this seem like bad dentistry? I have read that composites should only be used for small fillings and back teeth. This was one of my side teeth, the ones that help with 'posterior vertical support' in dentist parlance.

Anyway, fast forward to December 2011 and I have begun to notice something. When I awaken in the morning one side of my mouth is able to touch down with absolutely no problem, whereas the other side cannot. It is as if there is a slight bite problem, the row of teeth on the right side of my mouth all touch down perfectly, with no problem, but the ones on the left side do not. Furthermore there is a very slight ache when I attempt to touch the ones on the left side down. No noticeable swelling or pain otherwise.

Yes, the left side is where I had my composite filling done. The ones on the right side are all amalgam.

But this is not where it ends. This morning, after waking up I decided to floss the side that is giving me trouble and there is more blood than normal. I have not flossed my teeth in about a week and a half, but generally speaking there is less blood upon doing so, even after long periods of absent flossing. I know I have been negligent, but I have been brushing every single day and using something called 'plax' intermittently to deal with plaque build up on some of my teeth.

So after this I gargled in warm water with baking soda added to help with any slight infection. But this has me alarmed. My instincts tell me it has something to do with that composite filling I had done two and a half years ago. But I do not want to jump the gun on any self assessment. I know I need to see a dentist asap but it is going to take at least a couple of days before I can.

I would however still classify this as an emergency despite there being no excruciating pain.

What I need to know is, could these symptoms fit in with composite wear? Would there, or could there be all the above symptoms in the case of composite wear?

[TheFountain]

I have done more research and believe I may have TMJ (temporomandinular joint disorder).

Because my symptoms have progressed and they seem to match the above condition.

1-Slight pain and localized discomfort when chewing.

2-Waking up with misaligned teeth.

3-Discomfort when opening my mouth too wide.

4-Increased tinnitus.

Now the question I am faced with is what do I do about it?

[Danail Bulgaria]

Unfortunately this is not enough to give You an answer. Please, write down where is localised the pain when chewing? - in the tooth, or infront of the ear (where is the temporomandibular joint). Can You photograph the missalined teeth? May You photograph the tooth with the big obturation?
If You are right, that You have a TMJ problem, and it started after the making of the new obturation, You may need to check if the obturation is too high. This can be checked in a dental office. If the high obturation is the problem, it can be easily lowered in height by simple grinding it with dental micromotore.

[TheFountain]

Unfortunately this is not enough to give You an answer. Please, write down where is localised the pain when chewing? - in the tooth, or infront of the ear (where is the temporomandibular joint). Can You photograph the missalined teeth? May You photograph the tooth with the big obturation?
If You are right, that You have a TMJ problem, and it started after the making of the new obturation, You may need to check if the obturation is too high. This can be checked in a dental office. If the high obturation is the problem, it can be easily lowered in height by simple grinding it with dental micromotore.

It is not visually noticeable, only noticeable with regard to feeling the misalignment, most case reports I have read do not seem to indicate visual assessment of misalignment, but assessment using some sort of dental tool, like a bite detector of some variety.

What sucks the most is this has caused an increase in very annoying tinnitus.

[Danail Bulgaria]

The dental tool is called an articulation paper. It is a simple paper with a dye, that leaves a color on the surface of the teeth, when they bite it. So, You bite the articulation paper, and it leaves colored imprints on the teeth.If the filling is too high, then it will have very strong color, and the teeth arround it will have much smaller amount of color. The filling is considered as perfect in height when all the teeth have equally colored contacts.