Q
2025-03-30 16:53:30

Splint Side Effects

About 2 years ago, my jaw suddenly wouldn't open properly. I went to the hospital, and they said there was apparently a problem with my right jaw joint disc. So, I got a custom splint fitted for my upper teeth, and I've been using it for about a year and a half now.

I go for check-ups once a month, but my bite alignment (occlusion) is constantly off. They've had to adjust the splint by grinding it down, and they've also ground down my actual teeth two or three times. Even at this point, my bite still doesn't feel right. They took X-rays a few times during treatment, and the only finding mentioned was that my jaw seems to have gotten longer; they said the bone itself is fine.

However, starting a few days ago, I've noticed my lower front teeth seem to be spreading apart (a gap is forming). Also, my dental midline has been off for a long time now (it started after the initial jaw problem began; before that, my bite and midline were perfectly aligned).

  • Could this issue with my lower teeth spreading be a side effect of the splint?

  • Could it be happening because my jaw itself is misaligned or shifted?

  • Is there any possible connection to hip joint misalignment?

I'm asking these questions because this is causing me a lot of stress...

A
Dr.s Diagnosis
It's understandable that you're stressed about these changes. Let's break down the possibilities. 1. Splint Side Effect: Yes, it's possible. Splints can sometimes exert pressure that leads to tooth movement, especially if the bite isn't perfectly balanced. Think of it like braces – constant force shifts teeth. The grinding of your teeth to adjust your bite to the splint might have also destabilized your occlusion. 2. Jaw Misalignment: A shifted jaw could absolutely cause your lower teeth to spread and the midline to be off. If the joint disc issue hasn't been fully resolved, or if the splint isn't effectively stabilizing your jaw joint, the jaw muscles may be pulling asymmetrically, leading to dental changes. 3. Hip Joint Connection: While less direct, there *could* be a connection through posture and muscle imbalances. The body works as a whole. If your hip alignment is off, it *could* affect your posture, which in turn *could* influence jaw position and muscle tension. However, this is less common. Recommendations: * Seek a second opinion. Ideally, see a TMJ specialist or a prosthodontist experienced in treating jaw joint issues and bite problems. * Ask for a cone-beam CT scan (CBCT). This provides a 3D view of your jaw joint and can reveal more than X-rays. * Ask about muscle relaxants. They could help reduce muscle tension, which can stabilize the jaw. * Physical therapy. A physical therapist specializing in TMJ can assess posture and muscle imbalances. The image you've provided suggests mild spacing. The best course of action is to obtain a comprehensive reassessment.