Desperate Need Of HELP!!

Message

#1 Post by **Kulminati** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 1:05 am

Hey I'm new here. I am 20 yrs old and have had jaw problems for a while now. I do have the classic TMJ symptoms: pain in the lower jaw, LOUD popping and clicking noises when I open my mouth. In addition, my lower jaw and upper jaw are not aligned at all causing a sever overbite. This is what I know to be the classic TMJ symptoms

However, I also have another problem. My upper teeth are too high. Meaning when I smile, only the tips of my upper teeth are seen and it makes it seem that I have no upper teeth. Basically, when I smile. you can't see ANY teeth at all, except if you come really close to me and then you can see the tips of my upper teeth. They are all hidden the area from the base of my nose to my upper lip I was wondering if there is any procedure to correct the problem, i.e move my upper teeth downwards? Also is this a common problem among people or am I the only one?

Thanks!!

#2 Post by **jaswi** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:37 am

Sounds like an open bite to me, do a search on these forums for open bite and you'll find many many posts about the same problem.

#3 Post by **Kulminati** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 10:57 am

No actually its not an open bite. All my upper teeth are too high, so when i close my mouth fully (upper jaw and lower jaw connected) my face seems really short. It also makes my lips protrude out. In addition, my jaw line runs almost parallel to the ground, when in fact it should be at an angle. I hope this is clear to anyone reading...I really need help please!

#4 Post by **paw655** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:35 pm

I know this is not much help to say, but from what you are describing you'd probably be better off seeing a dentist, ortho, or TMJ specialist. Because no one here can give professional advice, you could be losing valuable time getting your condition treated and becoming more comfortable with yourself, if indeed that is your goal.

Please, don't wait, if you don't know who to call, call a local university with a dental school or the state board that licenses dentists, or the american orthodontic association. If you have someone you trust, I hope you will take the plunge, and let us know.

AKW

#5 Post by **rsprouse** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:29 pm

Hi,

If you have pain and noise in function from your TMJ, you should seek treatment from a licensed dentist/os/orthodontist in your area. TMJ disorders can be corrected in most cases. Regarding your description of your smile, it sounds like you could benefit from orthodontics. In order to see your teeth when you smile, your front teeth will be protroded (pulled down). Of course there is no way to tell how involved your case is but protruding your teeth is not a big deal in most cases. And as paw mentioned, you really should have a consult about your TMD, it is not likely to get any better on its own.

Good Luck,
Rory

#6 Post by **dr.j** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:59 am

Sounds like you have a skeletal deep bite pattern with a vertical deficiency of the upper jaw. Nice description on the mandibular plane being very square. You should go see a specialist in Orthodontics.

#7 Post by **dr.j** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:01 am

In response one post "TM disorders can be corrected in most cases" ... this is unfortunately not true. These situations are rarely ever "fixed" but some folks can find improvement in their PDQ: pain, dysfunction. quality of life. There is no magic bullet. TM disorders wax/wain and can be cyclical.