TMJ can result from the grinding as well.

I knew it when I lived at home, because I was constantly being smacked by an unidentified object by one of my three sisters who all bunked with me.

Once I married King Tut however, I was never aware I still had this problem- until two months ago.

Until the pain in my jaw, neck and shoulder, got to the point I pondered suicide because of lyme. I went 3 years thinking this pain was lyme.

Long story short? It wasn't and I'm in your club also. My bruxism responded quite nicely to a mouth guard and the getting rid of some unecessary stress in my life.

Have you thought about just having your teeth pulled and full dentures replacing them?

I grind my teeth too; didn't know it.

Your gums will probably be sensitive after the crowning procedure.

I had oldstyle crowns on 2fronts since I was 22 or so. Just had the porcelains put on last spring (just prior to being bit again). The nerves were very sensitive to the entire process for at least 1 - 1.5 weeks after procedure.

bettyg: I don't pulling the teeth is an alternative. I don't know. I know I certainly wouldn't.

I know of another lymie who needs surgery of the lower teeth alignment and the dentist told him he risks having numbness and tingling if he wants to do the procedure.

docdave will come in soon, I'm sure.

Go to a sporting good's store and buy one like is used for football players and follow the instructions for how to heat and mold it to your teeth. This is what I use and it costs less than $4.

I had a friend with TMJ. He spent a lot of money at the dentist to get a mouth guard made and ground right through it very quickly. He now goes to the sporting goods store and his guards last longer.