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Question:
I have had my upper dentures for exactly one year now. They fit great and I am told I have great suction. (need no adhesive at all).
My problem is I can only wear these for a hour or two before I am in extreme pain. I believe I am doing it to myself as I tend to clench and push them up all the time.
Before you know it I have a headache from my jaw up both sides of my head. I have been very sick for over 25 years. Rehumatoid Arthritis for one thing.
Could this be TMJ caused by myself? I am on clonazapam 1 mg. twice daily and it doesn't help at all with the stress and clenching. What else can I do? As it is now I am not wearing my teeth much now and am only 51. ...Visitor from WA
Answer:
I would recommend that you see a dentist who will evaluate your bite and your vertical dimension (how far your jaws are apart with your denture in).
There is a possibility that changing this could at least help relieve your clenching. There is also a device called an NTI (nociception trigeminal inhibitor) that could be fitted to your lower (I'm assuming natural teeth) and worn even during the day to help with the clenching.
You will need to find a dentist who enjoys working with a denture patient. One idea is to look for somebody who is LVI (Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies) who is trained in neuromuscular dentistry.
Corinne Scalzitti, DMD, MAGD
Austin Reconstructive Implant Dentistry
Texas Periolase
3900 RR 620 South
Austin, Texas TX 78738
(512) 263-3330
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