Worn teeth can be a sign of TMJ problems. TMJ pain can be debilitating and and causes a host of issues from neck pain to headaches and numerous other issues. This lady presented with cosmetic dentistry concern and an interest in porcelain veneers. A comprehensive evaluation revealed she had been suffering with headaches and neck aches as well. She also had four teeth (bicuspids) extracted for orthodontic treatment as a child. The way her teeth were meeting together was wearing and thinning the upper front teeth on the tongue side. This was due to her misaligned bite that was also contributing to her TMJ related neckaches and headaches.
A consersative non-surgical jaw alignment and a non-surgical facelift approach was taken to address both the TMJ, misaligned bite, and cosmetic concerns.
Worn Teeth
and Porcelain Veneers
and overclosed overbite
correct her smile and TMJ issues
Her TMJ and misaligned bite were treated first by repositioning her jaw to the correct physiologic position. This was accomplished with a fixed lower orthotic that looks and feels like ones teeth. During this phase of treatment, her neckaches and headaches were resolved.
The next phase involved restoring the lower back teeth with conservative porcelain restorations and veneers on the upper correcting the esthetics. This treatment allowed for the building up of her teeth as opposed to grinding down worn teeth to an existing bad bite that initially caused the worn and broken teeth in the first place. Why would anyone restore a mouth of broken and worn teeth to the same misaligned bite that caused the problems.
The photos show a beautiful healthy smile and a patient with no headaches or neckaches. The teeth should last longer as well since they are properly aligned with her jaws and muscles. Additionally, note how the lower front teeth did not have to have veneers or porcelain restorations.
If you have any questions regarding Houston TMJ treatment or Houston porcelain veneers or non-surgical bite correction, please feel free to contact our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF, 713-668-2289.
