OA-TMJ

So today I finally received my treatment plan!

Here's what I learned about my teeth:

- My front upper and lower teeth are crowded and overlapped
- My lower left canine tooth is protruded
- Due to a baby tooth I have collapsed teeth on the lower right side
- I have a lack of canine guidance meaning that my canines do not touch and therefore my jaw has nothing to guide it in the right directions
- I have an incorrect bite on the right side due to the collapsed teeth
- My front two teeth are excessively wide and not in proportion to the rest of my teeth

Apparently these issues are what has possibly caused and definitely is not helping my TMJ problems. And all this time I thought my teeth were fine, a little crowded maybe but nothing crazy.

The duration of my treatment is estimated to be 14-18 months and is going to cost me $6500. After calling my private health insurance provider this afternoon I have decided to wait 4 months before the treatment until I have served the 12 month waiting period so I can be covered. Apparently any procedure started within the waiting period will not get covered at all. I really would like to start immediately because my dentist said that most patients have no jaw issues while wearing the aligners because the teeth are moving so fast that the jaw doesn't have time to realise where the teeth are and fight against them. I am definitely ready for the pain to end!

I have been informed that I will need attachments and that some of my teeth will need 'slenderising'. I have been assured that these procedures will not harm the tooth or increase the risk of tooth decay at all. I will need to wear retainers day and night for 6 months after my treatment and indefinitely at night after that. I will need a prosthetic tooth in the place of my baby tooth after my teeth have been aligned correctly to help keep the teeth in place.

I will not be able to wear my splint at night as I will obviously be wearing the aligners and my teeth will be moving so it will no longer fit. We will re-assess the situation after the treatment and decide whether or not a new splint is required.

I cannot wait for four months to pass already!!