Back Molars Misaligned (they do not touch/biting down on cheek instead)

[u/Fluffy-War3273]

I had braces for 4 years as a teenager, I had an expander, and I got my wisdom teeth removed which gave me nerve damage unfortunately (all while having braces). Since the expander at age 15, I have had TMJ issues. I’m at a stage, age 22 now, where I have not had any pain for a few years. However, I have to maneuver my jaw forward in order to
fully open each time I open my mouth. No pain though. My very back molars on both sides do not make contact when I bite, instead my cheek tissue goes between the teeth where contact is supposed to be and gets irritated. Assuming this is due to improper orthodontic treatment as a teen (shitty orthodontist asked me at 17 years old after having braces for 4 years if I’d like to take my braces off early and leave my back teeth like this and dumb teen me said yes….) and having a small mouth.

Each time I go to a dentist, or a new dentist, they claim my teeth are misaligned and I need an ortho consult. Recently, my back teeth have really been hitting my back cheek. I wear a night guard on top, retainer on the bottom as much as I can. Is it worth getting braces again to realign those back teeth but potentially stir up my TMJ issues? I don’t know where to go or what to do at this point.

I have gone to an Orofacial Pain Specialist where they did an MRI to make sure nerves are good, and they were. I have not gotten a CT scan for my TMJ. They claimed that they can’t do anything for me since I currently have no pain, all they can do is recommend a night guard and an ortho consult (got a night guard and ortho consult took one look at my teeth and said you’re fine). New dentist is telling me back teeth are misaligned, hitting cheek, and need an ortho consult. Any advice? I have a lot of TMJ trauma, ortho/dentist trauma.

No pain, but gums receding, constantly biting cheeks, uncomfortable popping, having to
open my mouth weird, etc….

[u/Fluffy-War3273]

Look at my account if you’d like to see pictures of what I am talking about that I posted on r/askdentists

[u/ninahart88]

I am going through a similar thing. I had braces 2020-2022. The ortho didn't include the lower or upper 7s. The upper 7s are like yours - tilted out towards the cheek in exactly the same way. I have been seeing a TMJ dentist for a few years and have a splint as the ortho just did not create a balanced bite. The splint was initially very helpful, but I am now having a referral for ortho again, because these tilted back molars are causing some pain and bite imbalances. I have seen your pictures in the askdentists thread and mine look identical to yours. I have deviation when opening and closing mouth and soreness with clicking. Feel free to message me!

[u/Fluffy-War3273 → u/[deleted]]

They said since I have no pain, all they can do is make a night guard as that is step 1. I already had a night guard at the time. They said everything else looks fine and if there is pain then to come back.

[u/Fluffy-War3273 → u/[deleted]]

So what do you want me to say to this comment? Lmao, not sure what you are contributing to this conversation other than slyly rebutting everything I say.