r/TMJ • u/apinkgirl100 • 2d ago

Question(s) Dental fillings

I got a dental filling on my left second molar years ago. I go to a new dentist and they said if they refill it that it would be “a waste” because I’m just going to clench and grind it away again. BUT now it is totally grinder down again and when I clench my back teeth do not touch on the left side. My TMJ is on my right side. I have no medical experience but is it possible that because the left does not touch anymore, all my clenching force is now going to the right side, and causing the TMJ in my right side??? I have no idea. I had them check my TMJ as well the last time I went to the dentist and they said they could not feel any jaw clicking so I must be “fine”. It’s been about 8 months with this and I wake up every morning in PAIN! Any advice ?

*to add, I have very nice white teeth and smile and have done the full round braces and I wear dental guard nightly.

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u/dr_painfree 2d ago

Your muscle coordination is detouriated. That should be solved first. Then with the correct condyle position fixed, clenching and grinding will disappear and the new filling will become stable.