Could missing the rear-most molar lead to tmj? i had to have the rear-most molar on the lower right side of my jaw removed. my jaw now feels like it sits in a very odd way, and i'm worried that the fact that it's different now could lead me to developing

Any : Any time a tooth is removed that is not loose, we have to exert a great amount of force to loosen and remove a tooth, especially molars. It is possible the dr removing your molar dislocated your jaw. Any dentist who has removed molar has probably done this. It will usually settle down and return to normal shortly. But, you should get to your dentist immediately to have it looked at. Which molar was it? Wisdom, 1st or 2nd molar? Removing any tooth will make you jae feel like it doesn't sit right because of the missing tooth. Your mouth is used to it being there balancing your bite. If your jaw has been torqued out of position, you probably will develop issues with your temporomandibular joint(tmj) called tmd(temporomandibular joint disorder). Get to your dentist asap to have it evaluated. He/she should be able to give you some exercises to correct the problem or may ahve to make you an occlusal guard to help realign your jaws. In the mean while, take some Ibuprofen to reduce the infammation-if you can take ibuprofen. Good luck!

This : This is a very good question, and one that a lot of people who have their wisdom teeth out need to reflect upon. First of all let us establish what is normal. If you were to part your teeth, and keeping them slightly apart push your lower jaw forwards all the way, and then pull it back all the way, that is straight back not opening more and not closing so that any of the teeth touch, now from that position if you close your teeth slowly, they should all touch evenly and together at the same time. This is called the centric relation position or cr. A lot of us have to slide our jaws into a different possition for all the teeth to fit comfortably together, this position is called centric occlusion or co. Ideally cr and co should be coincident, and if they are not you should ask your dentist to evaluate your "bite" (occlusal relationship) and adjust it. If your dentist does not know how to correct this problem consult with a periodontist or a prosthodontist and ask for their advise. Now about your wisdom teeth. You have taken a tooth out and now the jaws come together in a different way. This may mean that an interference has been removed which might be a good thing. It is extremely common for an over erupted wisdom tooth which is lacking an opposing tooth to cause interferences with the way the teeth meet. Please do ask your dentist about this. Dr. Neil mcleod dds dentistry that lasts - quality that counts.

Missing tooth and TM: You are describing how your teeth hit upon closure and how it affects the tm joint. A bite should feel like it hits both sides at the same-time. It should hit mainly in the back of the mouth. Because you are missing a tooth you may favor the other side more. Your muscles may move the jaw in a position that is either more efficient or comfortable.

Hard to say: You didn't mention how long ago the tooth was taken out. If recent swelling could cause a change in your bite. If it has been awhile it could be a shifting of the teeth because of the tooth loss or just from normal aging. As we get older the teeth move forward and can change your bite. Most likely it is as easy as adjusting your bite. But it should be checked.

Not likely: I assume you mean TMJ dyfunction since everyone has two tmj's. The loss of just the rear most molar should not lead to a dysfunction unless there was traumatic injury to the joint or the stretching of the muscles has lead to muscle spasm which can cause the jaw to sit in a very odd way. You should see a dentist with advanced knowledge of TMJ dysfunction.

Yes: Missing molars can contribute to TMj. See a TMJ dentist to help with treatment.