Braces for grinding teeth??

[thelongwayhome]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I am 40 and scheduled on Sept. 10 to get my braces (metal). I was seeing an orthodontist due to grinding my teeth and clenching my teeth during the day. He said that my teeth hit on the left before my teeth on the right, so he asked how I get my teeth to shut together. I told him by tightening my teeth. He said it is natural for us to want our mouth to close evenly. He said he believes this is why I grind my teeth and I need braces. Has anyone heard of this?? I had been seeing him for a night guard and it stopped fitting. He said my teeth are moving. I usually get many compliments on my pretty, straight teeth, so getting braces is a shock. I do have a few small gaps and slight crowding in my bottom teeth.

Also, they haven't scheduled me for x-rays or a tooth impression. If I recall, my daughter had both 10 years ago before her fitting with the same Orthodontist.

Thanks for any help.

[Zoso]

Pretty and straight is one thing, but a good bite is another, and the two do not always go hand in hand. If your teeth do not meet properly, then it's possible that you could be doing a lot of damage that could potentially ultimately result in needing roots canals and crowns, or potentially in tooth loss. However, it never hurts to seek a second opinion, just to be sure - since you're in the USA, it is likely that you could set up a consultation with another ortho free of charge.

As to impressions and/or X-rays, these can often be taken the same day as the braces are bonded, since many orthos now have X-ray facilities onsite. Don't worry though if impressions are not taken - these are not always deemed necessary.

[Sunny]

I recommend you consult with another ortho, since you seem to be having doubts about your need for treatment.

Most ortho's do prefer to study moulds, x-rays and photos in advance of treatment, as this can affect the placement of brackets and any appliances needed during treatment. Since you've been seeing this ortho for other issues, it's possible he doesn't feel the need for these things yet, due to having knowledge of your teeth. I do recommend you ask about having an x-ray done, as this is the best way to check the condition of the roots of your teeth.

Good luck with doing some more research!

[thelongwayhome]

Thanks for your replies. I will ask for a second opinion. I really like what this Ortho did for my daughter. I will also ask about the xrays. I was up late on a Friday night, so Monday seemed so long to wait, so thanks for your thoughts.

Since I am 40, what colored rings look nice? They said I would have to pick and I have no idea what looks appropriate.

[thelongwayhome]

That makes sense. He did say I would ruin my teeth without them. I have many stress fractures already.

[mikeg]

I personally would not get the braces jsut because my bite was a little off... things don't need to be perfect, especially if they are not bothering you...

However with that said, zoso and sunny made good points about the risk...

Let us know how your consult goes

[Sunny]

I was 47 when I started treatment and I've always chosen the colours I prefer ... so far mostly purple, black a few times and bright blue once, but it turned a shade of sea green too quickly, so I've not gone back there.

Choose colours you like ... coz to be honest, no one else will notice!

Good luck finding out what treatment is best for you! :thum:

[thelongwayhome]

Unfortunately, I have a bad case of grinding and my ortho believes it is because I have an off bite and natural tendency is to want to close properly and clench to get them to close. I have been grinding my teeth since my wisdom teeth came out 20 years ago. I remember the surgeon saying something happened to my jaw (can't remember what, but I don't think he went into it much) and he made me a clear plastic guard because my jaw was swollen. My jaw still swells, enough for people to comment how swollen it is. I have had to have 3 teeth fixed because they fractured and I have tons of stress fracture lines in my teeth. I want to keep my natural teeth, of course. I am scared of further damage, so here I am getting braces. It is so nice to have such supportive people on this site!!

[smilez4me]

I got my braces for the same reason as you did! Well I was in extreme pain and discomfort when I went to my ortho. They did a treatment on me that would align my jaw to where it is nauturally supposed to be ( probably similar to your nightgaurd) and i was shocked at how the pain went away and how good I felt! To keep my results I was told I would have to have braces. So here I am with braces and honestly, my teeth were pretty straight before but wow what a difference now. Best part is, no more grinding and wearing away my teeth. You will be so glad you are going through this, even now.
Keep us posted

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Here's a link to an application that we have on our site to help our patients choose their colours. Have fun!

Brace Painter | Markham, Richmond Hill & Toronto Orthodontist

[thelongwayhome]

Thank you Smilez4me. I am so glad to hear someone being treated for the same problem. It puts me at ease to know it helped too! I talked to another orthodontist and he said he thought it would work, but hearing a patient who is having success is what I really needed.

I LOVE your application Dr. Tam!! Thank you for taking the time to post it for me!