I am typing to ask some general questions. They are too general and I am a little embarrassed to see a dentist for this, and too anxious to google.
I've had TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) for around 8 years. I even got braces in hopes it'll fix my overbite, but the dentist said my mouth was too small and it was unnecessary to over-fix my bite. It all came to a climax when my jaw clicked too hard one day in class, and I couldn't open my mouth at all (less than 2 cm). That was around 4 years ago, and my jaw has improved considerably well. I broke a molar since then and had a crown fitted to the other side (it was broken). So I guess I switched which the 'emptier' sides of my mouth are. I am also a mouth breather.
With that in mind, here are my questions.
1. I am very worried about breaking my molars. It was very traumatic to hear that I needed two implants, and I was very lucky that I was able to get a root treatment and crown for one. I was not informed of any particular reason for breaking huge chunks of my molars (more than half, past gum line), and neither of them were filled; both were 'real' tooth. What can I do to stop my molars from breaking? I am curious if there is any underlying reason behind this kind of situation, and if it is preventable. Or is it just TMJ...?
2. Any tips or additional help for me to rehabilitate my jaw? Improve my breathing? Breathe through nose-not-mouth and stop clenching jaw? I've read about the mewing technique, and it seems to me a good solution (the mewing technique I especially support), but I don't think it is supported by dentists. I have no idea why, or if this is some sort of scam in education.
I've had TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) for around 8 years. I even got braces in hopes it'll fix my overbite, but the dentist said my mouth was too small and it was unnecessary to over-fix my bite. It all came to a climax when my jaw clicked too hard one day in class, and I couldn't open my mouth at all (less than 2 cm). That was around 4 years ago, and my jaw has improved considerably well. I broke a molar since then and had a crown fitted to the other side (it was broken). So I guess I switched which the 'emptier' sides of my mouth are. I am also a mouth breather.
With that in mind, here are my questions.
1. I am very worried about breaking my molars. It was very traumatic to hear that I needed two implants, and I was very lucky that I was able to get a root treatment and crown for one. I was not informed of any particular reason for breaking huge chunks of my molars (more than half, past gum line), and neither of them were filled; both were 'real' tooth. What can I do to stop my molars from breaking? I am curious if there is any underlying reason behind this kind of situation, and if it is preventable. Or is it just TMJ...?
2. Any tips or additional help for me to rehabilitate my jaw? Improve my breathing? Breathe through nose-not-mouth and stop clenching jaw? I've read about the mewing technique, and it seems to me a good solution (the mewing technique I especially support), but I don't think it is supported by dentists. I have no idea why, or if this is some sort of scam in education.
