Continuing Questions From Dr. Park

[Steven Y Park, MD]

How many of you have dental crowding or small jaws? Did you have to undergo any extractions or require orthodontic work because of this?

[sunshine8]

my teeth used to have small gaps and were perfectly straight. Never had orthodontics as a child.  I did have my wisdom teeth removed at 18. Since my teeth have become very crowded, to the point that they are pushing one on the top and bottom out. I have also had TMJ issues, grinding of teeth and wore a night splint for many years.  They re-aligned my jaws, but they have since moved back since I quit wearing the splint. I no longer grind, but am careful about not clenching my jaws and sleeping with my mouth relaxed and slightly open. I don't have chronic upper respitory issues.

-Amy
dx'd RRMS

[GrannyJo6]

I have a small jaw, but I am also quite petite. No crowding - in fact people assume I had to wear braces as a child - nope, just blessed!

[uk2]

I have over crowding was ment to where headbrass at night for 12 hrs but didnt they still overlap, i had problems with my wisdom teeth extration had TMJ after all four andserve swelling and bruisind ended up in A&E had steroids to reduce swelling as it was pressing on my windpipe, have TMJ everytime i go to dentist now so try not to go got 2 rotten teeth but the pain of opening my jaw will cause i dont go.

sam

[Lulu54]

All four of my wisdom teeth had to go - no room for them!  I had one incisor extracted because it was horizontal and didn't come in properly - space issue?

And I don't know if this fits into the picture, but if you judged the reaction from dentists and hygienists, I must have the world's largest tori!  They always comment on the size.  The periodontist commented that is I had oral surgery they should reduce them.  Perhaps that comes from small mouth structure too?  Which is not to be confused with small body size, since I am almost 6 feet tall.

Laura

[hbananas]

No crowding.  In fact, I have some good-sized gaps in my lower teeth.  I have TMJ and wear a splint at night, which really helps me keep my mouth shut for CPAP.  My splint is the same size as hubby's, so I probably have a fairly large jaw.  I never had any wisdom teeth, so the other ones had plenty of room to roam free.
(TM dx, not MS as of now)

[saveone]

I have dental crowding.  It causes some disalinement of my teeth.  After 4 extractions, one on either side, top and bottom my teeth have closed the gap.  I don't know if this is relevant but there are times if I open my mouth wide my jaw feels like it is locked.  It is several seconds before I can get it to close.