• Dental Phobia Support

    Welcome! This is an online support group for anyone who is has a severe fear of the dentist or dental treatment. Please note that this is NOT a general dental problems or health anxiety forum! You can find a list of them here.

    Register now to access all the features of the forum.

Braces for crowned teeth

K

klol

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
35
Location
Iowa
I’ve recently had 3 new fillings which caused a MAJOR issue with my TMJs and excruciating pain for the last 3 weeks. My dentist and doctor agree that my bite is very uneven causing lots of stress on my tmjs, which has likely caused such a sudden probable due to having my mouth open fully while having my cleaning and fillings done. My dentist advises that I see an orthodontist to be assessed for braces to fix my bite. I also grind and clench my teeth in my sleep (and have my whole life) so I have some crowned teeth due to wear down and breakage. I’ve been wearing a night guard for that. My question is, can braces even be done on crowned teeth? Do braces often help with tmj issues? I have some consultations coming up at different places but I’m so nervous and can’t stop thinking about how awful it is to have crowned teeth and what the orthodontists are going to do when they see them, or if they’ll just tell me they can’t do anything because of my crowns.
 
Following! I had braces for six years as a child/teen, but in the past couple of years my bite has become really off. I have wondered the same thing, as I have several crowns and will need more over the next few years.
 
I am not a dentist, but can share my story. I had some very average orthodontist treatment in my teens and by 2014 had several crowns, and a 3 unit bridge due to a very bad bite and clenching issues. I also had a night guard to protect what was left of my teeth. I never had tmj.

In 2014 my two front teeth broke down due to my bottom teeth hitting the back of them with my clenching issues. The best answer was implants, but when I asked what would happen if the bite and clenching issues continued (which they would), the answer was that nothing would change. While I was up for the implants (and they are sooo expensive in my country) I wanted to ensure that I would have no ongoing problems.

The short answer was Invisalign. The treatment was successful, my bite was realigned. I had bridges and crowns and the Invisalign system worked for me. It was a very long process with several ancillary treatments with varying success - root canals and apiosectomies (sp), implants, new crowns but it finished in January this year and I couldn’t be happier, for the first time in my life, my bit feels normal, my teeth look fantastic and I feel free from dental problems. I still have a night guard, but I could not go without one after so long!

Talk to your dentist and see what is available.
 
I’ve recently had 3 new fillings which caused a MAJOR issue with my TMJs and excruciating pain for the last 3 weeks. My dentist and doctor agree that my bite is very uneven causing lots of stress on my tmjs, which has likely caused such a sudden probable due to having my mouth open fully while having my cleaning and fillings done. My dentist advises that I see an orthodontist to be assessed for braces to fix my bite. I also grind and clench my teeth in my sleep (and have my whole life) so I have some crowned teeth due to wear down and breakage. I’ve been wearing a night guard for that. My question is, can braces even be done on crowned teeth? Do braces often help with tmj issues? I have some consultations coming up at different places but I’m so nervous and can’t stop thinking about how awful it is to have crowned teeth and what the orthodontists are going to do when they see them, or if they’ll just tell me they can’t do anything because of my crowns.

If the only thing that has changed are the the fillings done, then most likely your discomfort is caused by the jaw being open for a long time, plus anesthetic into tissue (especially if lower teeth were done). In this case, I’d recommend giving your jaw some time to heal from the inflammation- maybe take anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxants before going as far as getting orthodontic treatment. But if you do go for ortho treatment, that can help with TMJ issues and crowns are not a problem. This is assuming they have already corrected the bite.

Just keep in mind, any time there is a change in bite, it is not uncommon for the muscles in the jaw to get irritated, especially since you grind/clench. The key is getting the bite adjusted to where the joint and muscles are happy, which may take several adjustments and could take a few weeks to a month.
 
My concern is that it’s been a few days shy of a month, and it isn’t going away. The pain isn’t as excruciating anymore, but it’s bad enough that eating hurts, talking hurts, everything hurts. I’ve had the popping and clicking in my jaw for years and years but never really thought much of it since it never hurt, but since these fillings it’s been consistent so I feel like there had to have been some type of trigger in having them done that finally set off the pain and the extra crunching/popping when I open and close my mouth. I’m just not sure what to do. But I’m glad to hear that if braces could be beneficial, that crowns wouldn’t be too much of an issue to work with!
 
If the only thing that has changed are the the fillings done, then most likely your discomfort is caused by the jaw being open for a long time, plus anesthetic into tissue (especially if lower teeth were done). In this case, I’d recommend giving your jaw some time to heal from the inflammation- maybe take anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxants before going as far as getting orthodontic treatment. But if you do go for ortho treatment, that can help with TMJ issues and crowns are not a problem. This is assuming they have already corrected the bite.

Just keep in mind, any time there is a change in bite, it is not uncommon for the muscles in the jaw to get irritated, especially since you grind/clench. The key is getting the bite adjusted to where the joint and muscles are happy, which may take several adjustments and could take a few weeks to a month.

I’ve also been taking muscle relaxants every night (I can’t during the day because of work) and ibuprofen and aleve around the clock for about a month now (which is not ideal but I don’t know what else to do). I’ve lost about 6 lbs from difficulty/pain with eating, and I’m not generally a wimp but this jaw pain is something else.
 
klol,

I have no answers for you but just wanted to say I hope things get better for you soon!! :grouphug:
 
I’ve also been taking muscle relaxants every night (I can’t during the day because of work) and ibuprofen and aleve around the clock for about a month now (which is not ideal but I don’t know what else to do). I’ve lost about 6 lbs from difficulty/pain with eating, and I’m not generally a wimp but this jaw pain is something else.

So sorry to hear that. It’s definitely not advisable to be taking meds for a month. I strongly suggest you to see a TMJ specialist
 
A physiotherapist would be able to help a bit if it's more of a muscle issue, they can get good results with ultrasound and massage techniques.
 
Back
Top