Molar build-up sucks!

[anarchy45]

I just began my treatment yesterday by getting a (lingual arch?) appliance behind my upper teeth. No braces yet, because I have a very deep bite and the brackets would be scraped off my teeth. The wires, bands and hooks are taking some getting used to (I hate the lithp I now have :-S ), but don't hurt.

HOWEVER, the damn ortho did a "molar build-up" on my two rear-most lower molars, and let me tell you, it SUCKS! There is now probably an 8-10mm gap between my back molars, so I can't chew anything, just nibble and swallow. Besides being awkward, the pressure on just my back molars makes them very sore, and if my jaw shifts to the left a bit I end down the side of the build-up. The left side is already causing a big white canker sore on my cheek. And probably worst of all, I don't like the block-head profile it gives me (which is why I refuse to do jaw surgery).

I have some pictures at [ www DOT hyperpipe DOT com SLASH pics SLASH braces ] (*ahem* lame bb restriction)

So, three questions:

1) Are there any alternatives to molar build-up??!
2) Can molars be pulled vertically to close the gap, and the front teeth pushed vertically to lessen the deep bite? How would that be done?
3) What are the things attached to my molar bands, and what are they for?

Cheers!

[fire9052]

Anarchy45,
I don't know the answers to your questions but, I have a lot of build up on my molars as well and it does get better. I can remember almost going back for the first couple weeks and telling them to take everything off as the pain was so bad. After a couple weeks, the pain was almost gone and I got used to chewing.

It will get better.
Jon

[anarchy45]

When I go back to the ortho on Feb 5, I'm going to say the exact same thing - get it out! :-p I complained a bit yesterday when we were done, but I know it takes some getting used to. However the doc said that if it is a big problem, he has alternatives. He initially offered a removable appliance for top and bottom, but I said to put a permanent one in because I know I'll be lazy and inconsistent. Butttt... that was before I knew what he'd be doing to my molars.

I'm wondering what alternatives he had in mind. I emailed him to find out, but would like to know what others have had and how it worked out for them.

Good to hear that it worked out okay for you :-p

[OldBikerBag]

Those buildups are called "turbos" for a reason. Without them, your treatment will take at least twice as long.

You know what sucks worse than getting them on? Getting them off. I bit myself for a solid week before I re-learned how to chew without them. I had them in for 7 ½ months. Mine were on my upper first molars.

[Ciara]

I also have a deep bite. Initially my ortho was going to up bite turbos behind my front teeth but because I have to speak a lot at work and have to be able to speak clearly, she decided not to. She said she never puts molar build ups because her patients in the past complained so much. Instead, I'm getting a bite plate which is a kind of retainer.

You could ask your ortho to reduce the height of the molar build ups a bit. I've read on this forum about people asking for this to be done and some have said it helped.

[anarchy45]

Do bite plates do anything to shift the lower jaw forward, or do they only keep the teeth from touching? Would a twin-block appliance be better suited for this? Are they used much with adults?

I'm going tomorrow evening so the ortho can take a look and we can discuss alternatives... I'd like to have some idea what I'm talking about when I get there

[Ciara]

Do bite plates do anything to shift the lower jaw forward, or do they only keep the teeth from touching? Would a twin-block appliance be better suited for this? Are they used much with adults?

I'm going tomorrow evening so the ortho can take a look and we can discuss alternatives... I'd like to have some idea what I'm talking about when I get there

I think you need to ask your ortho these questions but this might be of some help. http://wikisites.mcgill.ca/Dentalpedia/ ... ite_Plates

My understanding is that a bite plate works by the intrusion/extrusion of teeth to correct a deep bite but I don't know if it will move your jaw

Twin block from the same site:http://wikisites.mcgill.ca/Dentalpedia/ ... Twin_Block

[Lewdboy]

Would a bite plate help with teeth grinding during sleep?

[Ciara]

Would a bite plate help with teeth grinding during sleep?

My ortho said it should. I clench my teeth a lot and she said it should help with that. You can get something called a "night guard" or " Occlusal splint" which will help stop teeth grinding.

[DrJasonKTam]

Here are the ways to avoid the molar build ups:

1. Bite plate- This is removable so you can eat without it in. However, this does somewhat defeat the purpose since when you remove it, your top teeth will hit the bottom braces. It just prevents you from biting on the braces when it is in. Also tends to be bulky.

2. Lingual bite turbos- These are attached to the linguals of the upper incisor and allow the turbo to contact the incisal edge of your lower incisors. Your back teeth will not touch. It has the advantage that the force is actually pushing your top and bottom teeth in the direction of opening your bite, but some patients cannot eat at all and may develop jaw joint soreness since the pressure is concentrated so far away from the hinge of the jaw.

3. Use only top braces for now, open the bite, and then add lower braces. The clear disadvantage is that you will increase your treatment time. Sometimes, it is also not desirable to intrude the upper incisors because of the amount of display of the incisors when smiling.

The molar turbos are the "best" of all worlds in terms of comfort and utility (though it may be hard to believe). You should be able to chew on the molar build ups and get used to them within several days. Good luck!

[CoryDaniels]

I know they suck, but its gets better I promise...I had them to fix my crossbite and it was fixed in a matter of 2 months...went back in for my next adjustment and they took them off. well, scraped them off.

[peppy]

Oh I think these are what I'm having... only they called them 'bite blockers'. They said I'd have them in for two months and they'd be used to expand my top bite?!

I'm having Six Month Smiles and enamel reproximation (slendering) too.

I've been told to look forward to a diet of soup and smoothies. Is it really that bad?!