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new tmj splint
when u have a filling do u need a new splint?? I have to have the filling, and I am told I may need a new splint. I dread waiting for it because if I don't wear a splint I wake up with migraines from grinding my teeth is there anything I can do?.
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tisme, Unless things have changed greatly, I did not have to get a new mouthguard for TMJ when I had
fillings replaced recently and when I've gotten fillings. The dentist never mentioned it and I didn't know to ask. Thank you for this.
Praying for you with those migraines. I so empathize.
Blessings & Prayers....
below is the response I got from the dentist when I emailed them. Im not so sure about the vacuum bit, I just wonder if they are out to make a new splint ( expensive ) another dentist I went too just said that they would alter the splint to fit.
"with any fillings we cant give a guarantee that existing splint will fit as they are vacuum formed on a replica of your teeth so if the shape of your tooth changes there is no exact way to make it identical. It would depend on the size of the filling needed and the position of it . Please bring your splint with you to your appointment and we will do our best to try and make it fit, but if the filling is considerably large you may have to consider a new splint but we wont know this until we see you and make the assessment."
@tisme
Hi,
What the dentist said is actually correct. Vacuum molding a splint means that a heated sheet of the molding material is placed over the impression so it conforms precisely to the mold..I think it’s almost like a suction process. Anyway, new fillings may or may not affect the shape of your current splint. It depends on the size and location of the fillings. Small fillings should be fine. The dentist may be able to slightly alter the splint if you have a large filling.
If you had any major work done on a tooth, you would feel that the original splint doesn’t feel comfortable and it may damage the teeth.
The dentist really needs to see the splint and make an assessment. If you feel you are being hustled to buy a new one then I would seek a second opinion.
Your current dentist may be able to work with you so I would go ahead and see what he has to say.
As an aside I switched dentists about 3 years ago. I loved the work the older dentist did but I felt I was being pressured to have unnecessary work re done.
The new dentist agreed with me very diplomatically and suggested what he would do so I switched over to their practice and have been with them ever since.
FLMary