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Venting my first RC

K

kluein7777

Junior member
Joined
Oct 10, 2017
Messages
2
Seriously feel like I'm about to loose my mind with all this dental stress. I'm 45. I've had bad teeth my whole life. I've been to the dental office many times. I went in 2008 and was all fixed up with fillings and a bridge. Had not had any root canals or extractions up to that point. I always had dental anxiety, it just got worse over the years. I avoided the dentist for many years. Then over the past few years all of the fillings started to fall out and my teeth started to fall apart. Upon visiting dentist office was told they need rootcanals, crowns, which i did not have the money for nor felt like i could handle the stress of the procedure so I had a few pulled out. Thats what I'd do wait til they got so bad then make myself go and get them pulled. Fastfoward to today. This year I found a new dentist and being in a better place financially with insurance I was finally ready to get some of the issues taken care of. There were a few teeth he could save with a filling. He wanted to do a RC on a as needed bases. I have 2 really big cavities in the back molders on each side on top. One really started to hurt me. I was going in to get it pulled. Since I had been going to this dentist and some of my other family members go here I trusted his skills and advise. He told me if I wanted to save that tooth we could do a RC and Crown. I'm going to pause here to give a little history to this story. I have had for years really bad headaches, my symptom are always the same with an occasional added one. Before they start I get a very tired feeling, where i have to lay down, my ears get sharp stabling pain though them, sometimes vision issues, nausea, always dizzyness, vertigo occassionally. In this past i thought this was migrains and sinus issues. But I go to see a ENT, after physical exam says based on my symptoms sounds like TMJ which i was shocked to hear that bc the thought never crossed my mind and I did not have all the symptons. He told me to take some otc non steroid anti inflammatorys and a follow up would be needed w more test to be sure about the TMJ. I mentioned this to my dentist, he did not seem concerened. Back to the story.
The doc presribed me antibotics, I'm in the chair getting the RC done, I need to use RR. They take all the stuff off, then my jaw is locked open, my muscle is spasm and the dentist is able to pop it back in place but it kept doing this for about a hr, they had already drilled to the pulp but could not continue said my jaw needed rest, they put a temp filling in. Doc assured me this was from staying open too long and the muscle had a spassm and to not open my mouth too wide and let it rest.... OMG how i felt when i left that office, sacred and in more pain then before. I had never took anything for my anxiety yet had xanax prescribed. That night I took one and thank God I feel asleep. The next few days were a special kind of hell. I was really scared i new i had to let them finish. The doc also does sedation denistry i asked for the first avialable apt. We did that. I dont remember anything about the procdure. The first week i felt like my bite was off, i went in he adjusted. The second week I was in the worse pain had a stabbing pain in my ear and pain that went down neck into shoulder accross my jaw to other teeth. I could not touch that tooth. I went in he took xray said it looks good prescribed me some steriod to help w healing and calm down area. I had a allergic reaction to that end up in ER still in pain. Week three Im still in pain feels like someone is grabing my check and squeezing and the pain is always there the intensty moves around from spot to spot. I called again to make a appointment for a follow up today. See how that goes. I'm really concerned about if the tooth is all good why do i feel so much pain and why does it move around. This is a different kind of pain than i had prior. With the tooth ache it was a throbing felt like it had a heartbeat. This feels like squeezing tight intense pain. Could this be TMJ related and not related to the tooth. And I need other work done. i was waiting for this side to heal up. I was going to do another RC but I just want the teeth pulled now and I'm thinking if this one is pulled will it be better. I cant think, having anxiey, panic attacks, cant eat sleep as much as i try and relax my mind keeps going in circles i think its bc the constant pain. I have a list of questions and concerns for my dentist. Not trying to make it difficult on anyone I just really want to be out of pain and in all this I still have to go to work everyday and its very hard to focus, no reset, no food, no wonder. I really dont understand and am puzzled and scared. and what to do next. If i thought the ER would help me I'd be there. I'm only taking tylenol and advil for pain. I dont like to take medication bc of allergic reactions. and even more freaking out since recent reacation and trip to ER. Im so upset in more pain that i was to start with, and i wonder if pulling this will help... sigh. And others ive know who had RC never had this issue.. yep.. If you took time to read this thanks, if you have any advise is welcome. I'm sorry in advance for any typo, grammer, spelling etc issuces. I'm just not feeling well and venting this all out maybe in the end I will have some good advise that would help
 
I don't have any advice, but you have my heartfelt sympathy and wishes for a speedy resolution to your problem. Good luck at the dentist today - I hope that he can sort out your problem, once and for all.

:XXLhug:
 
Thanks. I could not get into see my general dentist today. It will be next week. Today I've been thinking over everything this last month. I'm concerned that the issue I'm having is not even related to the tooth that had the rc on, but it may have triggered something to get disturbed. Not sure if its TMJ, Something with jaw, Something with a nerve something trying to heal from all the tramua to my mouth recently. Either way I'm bothered by the consistant discomfort and I need to come up with a plan. To start ruling out the what ifs or confirm them. The problem with that is finding a starting point. I realize whatever is going on is not going to be a instant fix and it maybe a long road to recovery. Of if its simple it could just heal up and be okay again.
Sigh I know that when the rc was started my jaw did lock open and my muscle did spasm, doc said due to being open too wide to long and my mouth got tired, I was unable to finish the rc that day. I came back a few days later and chose to do sedation to complete the rc bc of pain, anxiety, etc. So here on the 4th week. I'm still in pain. It dont seem to be in the tooth itself, although its sentive around the gums. I have a tightness that goes all along my jaw line and seems to move around at times. Cant open very wide, when i do try to eat only soft foods and my jaw gets tired then. Having ear aches, head aches, same in shoulder and neck area. Interesting the pain is always there but the intent pain moves around. Like one time it will be by my ear with stabling pains, next it will be by my check and nose feels like someone hit me in face with shovel and is squeezing it. OTC tylenol and advil do nothing. I'm not very good at describing my pain. This is the first time in my life Ive ever expeniced this intense pain for so long. anyways
I was trying to research possible causes for my discomfort with out thowing myself into a painic, in hopes of figuring out what type of doctors treat these type of conditions. BC i'm really starting to think that too much time has passed and if my dentist tells me everything looks fine w the tooth. I have no idea what the healing time is. He said my muscle was over extended due to being open too long. I have no idea what that means really and what healing time would be on that. I would think they take time to heal too. Then need to get to root cause. Whatever that is.
I'm trying to understand what is the difference between a Orofacial pain specialist and neuromuscular dentist? Are they the same? Also trying to see what type of test can be done, to diganosis, treatment plan, possible rehabilation, maybe even phycatric help since my anxiety, stress is overwheelming.
Tomorrow I'm going to look for a specalist in my area and try to book a apointment. My dental insurance is almost gone for the year. So i'm hoping some of this is covered under medical. If any ideas on what type of spealist to see would be great or anything at all.
I chose to post in the journal section bc I needed a place to vent. I realize this may not be the most organized gramacally correct wrtting but it is what it is. Still I think its good for me to be able to come here and journal.
 
Thanks. I could not get into see my general dentist today. It will be next week. Today I've been thinking over everything this last month. I'm concerned that the issue I'm having is not even related to the tooth that had the rc on, but it may have triggered something to get disturbed. Not sure if its TMJ, Something with jaw, Something with a nerve something trying to heal from all the tramua to my mouth recently. Either way I'm bothered by the consistant discomfort and I need to come up with a plan. To start ruling out the what ifs or confirm them. The problem with that is finding a starting point. I realize whatever is going on is not going to be a instant fix and it maybe a long road to recovery. Of if its simple it could just heal up and be okay again.
Sigh I know that when the rc was started my jaw did lock open and my muscle did spasm, doc said due to being open too wide to long and my mouth got tired, I was unable to finish the rc that day. I came back a few days later and chose to do sedation to complete the rc bc of pain, anxiety, etc. So here on the 4th week. I'm still in pain. It dont seem to be in the tooth itself, although its sentive around the gums. I have a tightness that goes all along my jaw line and seems to move around at times. Cant open very wide, when i do try to eat only soft foods and my jaw gets tired then. Having ear aches, head aches, same in shoulder and neck area. Interesting the pain is always there but the intent pain moves around. Like one time it will be by my ear with stabling pains, next it will be by my check and nose feels like someone hit me in face with shovel and is squeezing it. OTC tylenol and advil do nothing. I'm not very good at describing my pain. This is the first time in my life Ive ever expeniced this intense pain for so long. anyways
I was trying to research possible causes for my discomfort with out thowing myself into a painic, in hopes of figuring out what type of doctors treat these type of conditions. BC i'm really starting to think that too much time has passed and if my dentist tells me everything looks fine w the tooth. I have no idea what the healing time is. He said my muscle was over extended due to being open too long. I have no idea what that means really and what healing time would be on that. I would think they take time to heal too. Then need to get to root cause. Whatever that is.
I'm trying to understand what is the difference between a Orofacial pain specialist and neuromuscular dentist? Are they the same? Also trying to see what type of test can be done, to diganosis, treatment plan, possible rehabilation, maybe even phycatric help since my anxiety, stress is overwheelming.
Tomorrow I'm going to look for a specalist in my area and try to book a apointment. My dental insurance is almost gone for the year. So i'm hoping some of this is covered under medical. If any ideas on what type of spealist to see would be great or anything at all.
I chose to post in the journal section bc I needed a place to vent. I realize this may not be the most organized gramacally correct wrtting but it is what it is. Still I think its good for me to be able to come here and journal.

Yes I think you should see an oral maxiofacial surgeon. They are the specialists who deal with all issues of the face, mouth, jaw and neck and will be able to give you a thorough exam. The good news is that medical insurance sometimes covers a portion depending what is being done. Look for a well reviewed reputable oral and maxiofacial surgeon or ask your dentist for a referral.
 
And just so you know I have TMJ and experience those same symptoms you're describing from time to time but not constant. I also get a popping or clicking noise when I chew or open my mouth. It's not fun but there are ways to relax and help it.
 
Hi, I originally posted this journal, forgot my log in information. I'm still going though a tough time. I was really upset back when my first post. In shock from all the trama. I'm still trying to cope with things and figure out what to do.
I was able to book a appointment with a oral facial surgeon in my area that accepted health insurance. It took 2months to get into the office. No luck finding anyone in network to treat TMJ, that would be a 700 office visit just to talk, which I did not have The diagnosis was Myalgia, hypomobility, due to masticatory myalgia. Not really understanding all the medical terms, he explained it to me that symptoms I'm having are due to muscle strain, got streched out during procdure, causing muscle spasm, jaw locked open and dislocated, and now my bite it unbalanced, causing additional strain on the muscles, joints, face, all the pain due to muscle spasm. I think I now have a inbalance bite following the RC, also TMJ the disk looks good but its causing symptoms bc of the strain on the muscles.
He prescribled Physical Theraphy caution doining any dental work, or with care not to cause more damage, and a follow up.
Since all this now all my teeth hurt especailly the ones that have cavaties, I actually have a lot more then I realized. So I think that is not helping.
My GP has prescribed me xanax for anxiety, flexdril muscle relaxer and ultracet for pain. I never took anything more then tylneol and advil in the past and also had allergic reactions to medications so very causious about taking anything. I finally did take the xanax, I'm on a low dose .50 and day for the last few months, but recently increased it to .75 a day. They do help calm me down from panic but dont do anything for the pain. I have yet to take or try the muscle relaxer or narctic pain meds, my doc says its fine to take together but I read up on them and got scared to even try. I did not want to stop taking my xanax either bc im in a constant state of painic and they help me.
With all that being said, still trying to figure out how to move foward. I have not went back to my dentisit who did the RC, I have mixed feelings on that.
I was thinking after all this and my teeth conditions continue to get worse whats the point of fixing the bad ones, and the RC still hurts so I dont think it was successful. And the muscle/TMJ issue, its overwheelming. Really need a solution have to do something to get the ballance/alligment restored in my bite so the muscles can hopefully heal and calm down. would think after 3months they would be better but feels its getting worse.
I'm going to book appt with dentist go in see what they say. I was thinking if i get the bad teeth pulled and get a partial if that would help ? By replacing missing teeth, and adjusting bite, that muscles would be under less stress along with physical therapy it may help ? I could see a TMJ specalist out of pocket but they dont fix teeth issues. Aslo anyone have experince with the muscle relaxers do they help ?
Anyone with experince having dental work done with this conditon?
Seems it takes a team of doctors to help with this GP, Dentist, Therapist
I still dont understand everything, I'm learning to, trying to move foward. Any advise much apprecated. I will post my current symptoms below. These last few months have been hell, at least now I have a better understanding rather that everyone saying your fine, just healing, not I'm not fine, I had so much dental work in the past and never had any of these issues.
Symptoms: Limited opening, tight pulling spatic feelings, seems bite is uneven or sinks lower then before, somtimes sharp numbing pain, all teeth hurt esp the bad ones, moves around not limited to one side, cant chew well only soft foods, was liquids for awhile lost about 25lbs in past few months, sharp pains in ears and head, now and then down my arm, chest, I'm clinching all day bc the pressure.
Medications: xanax, extra strenght tylenol
Im going to be using this log on info moving foward, i dont know what my other info is.
 
Hi, I could not find my log in information for my orginial posting of this journal so starting again with this new login that I hope not to lose. I'd like to continue with my journal.
This is nearly 4months down the road, it took me 2 months to book a appointment with a Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, as seen by a specalist.
Come to find out my current and ongoing symptoms are due to the muscle strain or injury. It was streched out during the RC procdure, causing my muscle to spasm, jaw lock and dislocate. While trying to heal my bite is now off balanace causing additional muscle strain and muscle spasms, he said the disk and joints of tmj look ok but this is causing symptoms. He prescribed physical therapy.
I did not have my appointment with him til late Dec and plan to start physical therapy soon. Ive been searching for dentist who deal with tmj because my teeth are in really bad conditon. I have limited opening and movement so far Ive seen a few dentist who said they would be unable to do anything until my jaw could function better.
I'm really upset about this because I'm in constant pain from the TMD or muscle issue and all the cavities. Ive had dental fear my whole life and I was trying to face it and move foward and this has certanly been a step backwards. I continue to have pices of my teeth falling off making the cavities worse.
I have found a physical therapist and booked a appointment. I have found a few dentisit who are in insurance network who have experience or say they do with TMD treatment.
I really want to get all the bad teeth out bc the constant issues of pain, infection, get a partial, and hope that will help with restoring the balance and put less stress on my jaw. I dont think the jaw is going to heal on its one its been almost 4 months and I still cant open more then 2 finger lenghts.
Anyone have any success with PT ? Anyone dealing with TMD or muscles issues, still needing work ? I keep getting the same respose from dentist about my limited opening , how can they do work? Just seems Im hitting brick walls every direction I try to go. Thanks
 
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