Molar implant with a very small mouth opening.
Hi. This is my first time posting here but my oral surgeon did not provide much help. Long story short, I developed Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 15. Throughout the decades it has gotten worse despite different medication options. One of the more severe joint deterioration has happened in my temporomandibular (think that’s the name for the jaw bone/joint). It’s been imperceptible long term but within the last 7 years or so, it’s obvious my mouth opening has gotten smaller and smaller. It’s about 22mm opening as far as I can go. To put it in perspective, I cannot get a charms blow pop lollipop in my mouth with odd angling and then it’s basically stuck until it starts shrinking.
I’ve changed dentists often and even resorted to not going for 3 years because even X-rays and cleanings are emotional. My last dentist made me feel bad every time because she couldn’t get her tools in. I met with a new dentist two weeks ago and still came out in tears. At least they weren’t mean about it. I had not been seen in 3 years like I said and only went because my second to last bottom right molar (#30) was extremely painful. Turns out I had an infection. Most likely caused by a cracked tooth. Dentist couldn’t even confirm that part because they could get proper X-rays. Got antibiotics and that went away thankfully.
They referred me to an oral surgeon who specializes in implants. He was able to remove the cracked tooth with minimal issue. But he told me none of his implant tools will fit in my mouth.
I’m devastated. The hygienist had said “wow your teeth are spotless, you take care of them,” and I know that to be true. I didn’t want to lose the tooth and I definitely don’t just want this gap I have now. All the oral surgeon would say is maybe I could find a specialist to do a bridge. He had no referrals and didn’t even seem to notice how emotional I was becoming because I feel like I’m constantly at a dead end with my teeth. No one wants to work on them.
The oral surgeon said he can facilitate a meeting with this guy he knows at UPenn who only does temporomandibular joint replacements. I’m open to the convo but am nowhere near making that sort of major decision.
What can I do now, though? I do not want a removable prosthetic. I don’t know how to find a dentist to even discuss a bridge and can’t keep trying them all. I can’t even seem to find a regular dentist who willingly wants my business. They say they do over the phone, even when I explain my very limited opening, but when I get there, everyone is clueless, even with using some pediatric tools. I feel helpless and hopeless.
I also suffer from some mental health issues (anxiety, depression, OCD) which are par for the course with having a chronic debilitating illness since 15 (I’m 45 now ). It’s only been a couple of days since the extraction but the gap there where a tooth was (and in my mind) should be is messing with my head. All I wanted was one implant and have been basically been told it’s impossible.