Question: I have a malocclusion problem and an overbite and the malocclusion is gradually causing my face to become very asymmetrical and it is also causing me quite a bit of pain. I had to get a back molar extracted because the root was fractured and am in the process of having a dental implant placed there once the bone grafting heals up.
I want to get that tooth replaced but also do not want to have it put in if I require braces or whatnot in order to get rid of this jaw pain that I am experiencing due to the malocclusion. Can a person have braces if they have crowns and implants in place in their mouth? Also, is an orthodontist fully qualified to do a proper bite adjustment, if that is all that I need to make the pain go away?
Dr. Slota: Kristine, your questions are valid. A person with crowns and implants can have orthodontics done. An orthodontist is best trained to straighten teeth. They are not necessarily the ones to do bite adjustments. I would recommend you find some one who does functional or neuromuscular TMJ to correct your bite prior to any orthodontic treatment.
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