Enameloplasty for bruxism

[aDude1676]

Hi everyone, this question will require a bit of context :

Unconsciously, I have been grinding my teeth a lot since I faced a lot of stress lately. This led to a general discomfort in my mouth, and one of my lower front tooth particularly hurting. This tooth is angled slightly outward because the adjacent teeth pushed on it.

I went to a new dentist since I moved and my old one is now a bit to far from my home. I said that it hurt during the day, but not at any specific time, and not constantly, and that it might have been sensible for a month at most but I really noticed it this week.

He then explained to me that it was due to my occlusion (upper teeth getting over lower teeth) and we had to proceed with a filing. Since I wasn't offered any other choices I said okay, although it didn't really feel like I was offered a choice either.

I went two days after to the same place, for a cleaning this time. The second dentist who took a look at my teeth was made aware of the filing and told me that looking at my teeth he knew I have an habit of clenching my jaw/grinding my teeth when I'm stressed, and told me it was the reason for my discomfort, since if I had no problems in years, my occlusion wouldn't suddenly made me hurt within a week. Thinking of it he is right, because since he mentioned it I'm catching myself grinding my teeth a lot.

Now I just think that I had enamel reduced for absolutely no reason and I feel very upset about it...

I'd like to kindly ask if anyone has thoughts on this, am I the only one who feels like the first diagnosis was wrong and the dentist went ahead with an irreversible action without asking much questions ? I just feel wronged..

Thank you!

 

[Dr M]

Good day

We don't have much information to go on, since we don't have any pictures or x-rays.
Usually reducing healthy enamel in order to alleviate an occlusal grinding problem, would only be done as a last resort. We don't sacrifice healthy tooth structure for no reason.
If you had a grinding problem, I would have suggested making a bite plate first, to wear during the night and to then follow up if the symptoms persists or not.
If the grinding is a combination of stress as well as an adverse occlusal relationship, a referral to an orthodontist might have been a better option. The specialist would have advised if treatment was needed in order to improve the occlusal relationship to a more harmonious situation.

Hope this helps a bit.