Closing a Posterior Open Bite

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#1 Post by **Chris** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:48 pm

Just in case anyone is interested:

http://www.nti-tss.com/Failed-TMD-tx.html

I thought the use of this nightguard for closing a posterior open bite was fantastic. I wonder if it would work this good on those of us who are left with some open bite in the molar area AFTER ortho treatment. Says it took 3 weeks to close the bite.

#2 Post by **gypsyteeth** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 1:06 pm

I'm having that problem with gaps in my molar area (didn't have this problem before treatment) and I'm having my braces off in a few weeks. The orthodontist said that the gaps will close once the braces are off??? Does that seem possible?

#3 Post by **Chris** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:43 pm

I'm having that problem with gaps in my molar area (didn't have this problem before treatment) and I'm having my braces off in a few weeks. The orthodontist said that the gaps will close once the braces are off??? Does that seem possible?

Gaps as in teeth not coming together or gaps between teeth?

#4 Post by **gypsyteeth** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:52 pm

I mean my lower and upper molars on the left side of my mouth are not touching each other when I close my mouth. None of them are making contact. The right side feels fine/normal. I didn't have the problem until I got the braces put on and now my left jaw is popping a lot (which never happened before).

Chris wrote:
I'm having that problem with gaps in my molar area (didn't have this problem before treatment) and I'm having my braces off in a few weeks. The orthodontist said that the gaps will close once the braces are off??? Does that seem possible?
Gaps as in teeth not coming together or gaps between teeth?

#5 Post by **Chris** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:57 pm

Are you currently in closing elastics? If so I would continue. My "gaps" haven't closed and my braces are off 5 months now. Very discouraging. Orthodontists believe that there will be "settling" afterwards. Sometimes I wonder how long that should take. Eventually, could be a long while, teeth do meet up. For example, if you have a lower molar extracted, eventually the upper tooth will start to drop down naturally because it has no contact. Thats why dentists tell you to replace missing teeth.

#6 Post by **gypsyteeth** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:03 pm

No, I haven't had to wear rubber bands for several months now. I hope they will settle together when I get them off because I've never had this kind of jaw pain before!
Also, I have a little gap between the bottom of my 2 top teeth that he said was due to their shape. I had braces when I was a teen and never had a gap when I got out of them, so I'm wondering if maybe he might be able to fix some of these things before he takes them off!

#7 Post by **Chris** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:58 pm

Well, what did he say regarding your jaw pain?

Try not to bring your teeth together (checking your bite constantly )

Bring your teeth together only when you eat because doing otherwise will make your jaw joint hurt.

Any gaps between your teeth should be addressed now. They can do alittle shaving between the teeth and the wire will bring them together more. I do have a gap that could not be closed too though because of the shape of the tooth. If it really bothers you, talk to your dentist about doing some bonding.

#8 Post by **gypsyteeth** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:02 am

Chris wrote:Well, what did he say regarding your jaw pain?

Try not to bring your teeth together (checking your bite constantly )

Bring your teeth together only when you eat because doing otherwise will make your jaw joint hurt.

He said that it would go away when my molars come more together after I get them taken off. I do keep my mouth slightly ajar like you suggested, otherwise it feels weird and makes my left jaw kind of hurt. Thanks for your help!

#9 Post by **gypsyteeth** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:06 am

Hey Meryaten,
Thanks for your reply. I understand what you are saying about the 2 teeth being different shapes - that's what my orthodontist said. But the weird thing is that they've always looked exactly the same, no unevenness at the bottom and no gaps. Plus, I had braces as an adolescent and they did not have this gap and unevenness when I had them taken off so it's just really weird.

If he can't fix it then I guess I might see about bonding - is that like veneers being put on your teeth?

#10 Post by **fins** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 5:12 am

It can take up to a year to have teeth settle. My bite improved a bit around the 8th month after debanding. I have had it checked several times during that period and the bite definitely changed from the point of debanding. When I was first debanded I had jaw popping for a month or two and that has since ended. I try to keep my jaws as relaxed as possible.