Jaw Pain & v.uncomfortable in gum 4 weeks after extraction - infection??

[sad_face]

Jaw Pain & v.uncomfortable in gum 4 weeks after extraction - infection??

Hi I had one of my big top molars removed going back a month now.

The tooth was extracted and seemed to heal ok, but my jaw has been very uncomfortable since. My bite has been affected and I am not able to lie on that side of my mouth at night.

I went back to the dentist to get fillings on other teeth but he didn't do any work because i mentioned my jaw was uncomfortable. He sent me to get a big xray and told me to go bk, he said my sinuses may be affected. That was a week ago.

In the past week i've had headaches/ dizziness/ fever/ fatigue and generally a strange sensation in the extraction site and my jaw at times feels out of place. I am worried sick that an infection is in my jaw and spreading or something.

I've finally managed to get the xray done tonight and have been trying to contact the dentist but to no avail.

Does this sound like an infection? and is it common for this to happen 3 weeks after tooth extraction?

I am not in my home country and i am feeling very unsettled with regards to this at the moment.

 

[Amoreyna]

Re: Jaw Pain & v.uncomfortable in gum 4 weeks after extraction - infection??

I am so sorry

I can't tell you a lot, since I'm not in the dental field, only what I was told with my extractions.

There should not be very much pain after the first few days or swelling. I have facial pain, some swelling, mild fever and my cheek feels hotter then the other three days out from my extraction because of an abscess and my dentist immediately put me back on antibiotics. He said that my pain and swelling at this time was not normal. He worried that my body was not fighting the infection as well.

My question to you: have you ever been diagnosed with TMJ? That was another concern during my extraction and it was watched how much my jaw was opened and how much pressure was put onto it. I remember reading somewhere, about how people with TMJ can be susceptible to injury during extractions. This could very well be your problem and there are ways to fix this. The fact that you say that your bite is not correct make me think that perhaps this is the case. Also the fact you can't lay on that side (which would put pressure on the joint on that side) also gives more weight to this.

A month is honestly a long time to wait. If your jaw is inflamed it can cause all sorts of symptoms. Fever isn't out of of question because of how the body fights inflammation, as long as it is not high. Headaches can be caused by tense muscles and inflammation of the jaw because it puts strain on the rest of the muscles in your face.

I don't know what country you're in, but if you can go to another dentist I certainly would at this point. Perhaps you can ask around for a recommendation or look for one that specializes in TMJ patients.

Sinus issues after an extraction can happen but it doesn't really match your symptoms at all to my understanding. If you're in doubt I would look it up. I don't know what kind of strange feeling you're having at your extraction site, but it may very well be that you could be dealing with two separate, distinct problems.

I hope you feel better soon.

 

[sara26]

Re: Jaw Pain & v.uncomfortable in gum 4 weeks after extraction - infection??

Hi, I to am thinking it may be TMJ Dysfunction, as I have this condition. It can cause dizziness and ringing in the ears, as well as pain, swelling and inflamation. The pain can go down your neck through your face and up into your head. There are 3 sets of nerves that the TMJ can cause to be inflamed this is why the pain and "weird tingly" sensation can be so far spread. I would agree that going to a dentist who specializes in TMJ is a good idea. If your bite is really off, your joint may be out of place. I go to a Chiropractor and get mine popped back in after I see the dentist. I usually have to wait only 2 weeks after an extraction as they do not want it to be open when they manipulate the joint. The first time the dentist did an extraction on my left side he pushed down & my right jaw popped out of place. (I actually out of pure reflex punched the dentist, & bruised my hand in doing so, then he decided to use a mouth prop) I would suggest using cold packs for the pain and swelling - 20 min on, and also try heat pack for 20 min., See if one or the other helps, I rotate the two waiting an hour in between uses. I also discovered Arnica gel or cream works well for me. Good Luck and Hope you feel better soon.