Why is my jaw aching again? Is it TMJ?

[sudzs]

I recently had a new crown fitted which was too high inpeding my bite and giving me jaw ache. This was the second time this happened in the last 6 months, yes 2 crowns on same site, in 6 months, don't ask!!!

When it was adjusted to allow my bite to return to normal, the aching went away within a few days. And has been perfectly fine for the last 3 weeks. But over the last few days it has been niggling. And that, I think, has made me do all sorts of lower jaw movements trying to get it back to how it was when there was no ache. But all I have succeeded in doing is make it a lot worse.

I now have my night guard in which is helping as I have stopped trying to put my lower jaw in all sorts of different bite positions which was making the ache worse!

So really I'm asking if I am going to be plagued for the rest of my life with this aching jaw every time I do whatever it is I did last weekend to "switch it on" ?

I am having continuing difficulties with a rough part on that crown so am going to a new dentist in 10 days time so will discuss it with him. And in the meantime I will continue with the night gaurd as it is helping.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[scared0902]

Have you had TMJ problems before? For me, it's been a life-long problem, and I think it always will be. That doesn't sound very cheery. I can go several months without a flare-up and most of my problems have been mild--some heat or ice, and I'd be fine the next day!

I've been having pain for about six weeks now, and I'm going to see a specialist on Tuesday to see if it's the joint/muscles or both. He said they will probably set me up with a physical therapist, muscle relaxants, and "prescribe" massages!

I had some success with acupuncture but wasn't able to continue treatment because it is so expensive. I'd like to try it again.

My current flare-up was caused by a too long treatment and too much stress, but I've also had flare-ups for no particular reason.

Anyway, this probably isn't helpful, but you aren't alone. PM me any time, even if you just want to whine!

 

[sudzs]

Thanks for the reply scared!

No, I've never suffered with anything like this until the first crown threw my bite out 6 or so months ago. And after it was fixed the ache went away quickly. It only came back when I had the replacment crown fitted, that too was too high and the bite went wonky and the ache returned. Again the crown was adjusted and the bite returned to normal.

But now 3 weeks later the ache is back. I'm so concious, over concious of the position of my bottom jaw now that I'm shifting it and moving it and trying different bite positions and it's making matters worse!

I'm wondering if the crowm problems, sort of. turned on this muscle spasm (if that's what it is) and that every time I clench my teeth is a certain way, out of stress or whatever, that I will forever be susceptable to this aching problem.

Good luck with the specialist! I'm sure he can help you.

 

[LT]

Hi there. I can identify with you on this one as I too have been having a lot of jaw/tooth problems for a couple on months now. I seem to be moving my jaw around also to try and get comfortable, and I am so conscious of my mouth and whats happening that my teeth feel awkward, as if they dont fit any more. Before, I would never even have thought about it. Stress has defintely got a lot to do with it and we have to try and relax and not think about whats going on in our gobs, which so far I have been unable to do.

Good luck to you both. If you have any tips on how to get over this please let me know.

 

[sudzs]

Hi LT!

I too had some stress (ex-dentist related!) on Friday and this ache then started to niggle over the weekend. And like you say, the more you focus on it to try to get your jaw to sit the comfortable way, the worse it seems to get!

I went swimming yesterday and withing 10 minutes the ache had eased. Probably because I had subconsiously let things sit the right way while doing my breathing for swimming (under water etc)

And just now I was plucking my eyebrows and again with the concentration, the ache eased completely!

but I can't be swimming or plucking constantly (!) so still not sure what to do the rest of the time.

 

[olanda]

i've had (have!) the same thing, and as you've found out it really is better when you relax.

i know exactly what you mean about moving your teeth around trying to get comfortable! the whole thing's a nightmare and i had no idea that this sort of pain could be caused by a couple of crowns or other 'small-ish' dental work - until it happened to me!!!

i'm in the process of treatment for this. my treatment involves a night-guard to relax my jaw muscles completely (this takes quite a few adjustments for the dentist to get it exactly right so expect to go back a few times just for the night-guard adjustments). then the dentist took models of my teeth to see how i'm biting together and which teeth are too high etc. and now he's in the process of grinding down (or polishing as i like to think of it!) various teeth so that my mouth fits together properly again. this also takes a really long time and many appointments to get it spot on (i'm not there yet, but it's really getting better!).

my advice to anyone suffering this would be to find the best dentist you can who has the time and patience to make all those minute adjustments to the night-guard and your teeth. this unfortunately means private treatment and probably with a specialist dentist, and lots of it - expense, expense, expense. but, i had no faith that anyone could sort this out for me at one point and now my hope's beginning to return. it really is worth as much as you can afford to pay.

good luck!

 

[sudzs]

i know exactly what you mean about moving your teeth around trying to get comfortable! the whole thing's a nightmare

I know, I know! And I've only had it since the weekend! And the other 2 times when the crowns were too high.... But they seem to be OK now, bite-wise.

Is it the kind of thing like a bad back, as in once you've suffered with it, even though the original cause is gone, the muscles and joints are sort of predisposed to go into spasm at the slightest bit of misalignment??

Any point in going to see the GP before my dental appointment in 8 long days time?!

 

[LT]

Hello. I've got a night guard too, a softish one that fits over the bottom teeth which keeps my back teeth apart so I dont clench as much. Cant say if it is doing much good but I have only been wearing it properly for a week and I am hopeful.

I have also been to the doctors but it was a bit of a waste of time because as soon as you mention teeth, they tend just to refer you back to the dentist. My doc just printed out some info on tmj and prescribed some amitripyline as a muscle relaxant as she didnt have any answers. I took half of one tablet one night and felt weird the next day so havent had any since.

If only I could turn the clock back and cancel that rotten appointment at the dentist then none of this would have happened.

I think the answer is going to be time, distraction and relaxation. All the best.

 

[Razzle3]

I just wanted to add in my best wishes and empathy to all of you. I'm battling TMJ myself and it is no fun at all. :/ I have seen one Specialist who specialized in how not to treat a patient, or really anyone for that matter. I will be getting another rec from my dentist next week.

Do any of you, wearing Night Guards, have one that's actually a repositioning splint? From everything I've read on the TMJ Forum, those seem to often cause more harm than good as and are not endorsed by them or the National Institute of Health. I ask this because it sounds like such a thing might be what will be recommended to me. I'd love some advice/thoughts.

Better days ahead to all of you.

Mona

 

[sudzs]

I was getting so aggrevated by the ache last night I took some Ibuprofen for the inflamation, half a valium to relax the muscle and massaged the hell out of the area. (also had a few beers to lift the mood!!) I've no idea if I did the right thing but this morning the ache is much much improved. But when I poke the area it is quite sore. Did I overdo the the massage??

Anyway, I'm doing my best impression of a slack-jawed yokel here trying to keep things relaxed!


Razzle3, don't know about those splints. I don't even wear my night gaurd at night! I seem tohave stopped clenching in my sleep.

LT, I was prescribed something similar years ago for neuralgia, shooting pains up the back of my neck and head. Like you, took one or two and felt really weird!

Going to GP today anyway, to see what they say and then dentist next week.

God, it's all very tiring.

 

[LT]

Hi Sudz. Let us know how you get on at the docs.

I had a terrible night last night. I am wondering if I am having muscle spasms as I get pain right up to my ears. Its a weird kind of pressure. I am thinking that I may have to give the meds a go but I dont like the side effects.

Mona, my night guard is just to stop me clenching my teeth so I cannot comment on the repositioning types.

Good luck to everyone and keep us posted.

 

[sudzs]

Back again!

My jaw ache is getting better very quickly indeed and am now wondering if it is TMJ at all??

Can anyone tell me if an episode of TMJ pain and ache just gets better after a few days or if you suffer from it pretty much constantly, having good days and bad? Or does it come and go away again completely?

All of a sudden this morning i'm finding I no longer have that feeling of not knowing where to put my lower jaw. And the ache is gone. It's just when I poke and prod the area where my jaw hinge is and the bit just in front of my ear, it's still a bit sore.

Could the ibuprofen have had such a dramatic effect??

I'm wondering wether to go to the GP at all at this stage or might I regret it later this evening if it gets bad again??

Damned crown! Wish I'd kept the crumbling old mercury filled, shattered shell of a tooth!!

 

[scared0902]

I feel the same way about my crown! Even though I'm sure my tooth is stronger now (I hope so!), I hate the pain and sometimes want to rip my jaw off. Not really

I've had flare-ups last a couple hours and get better. You never can tell how long it will last. I haven't had a flare-up in a year maybe and this is the first one I've had in six years that has lasted more than a few days. I think every person is different. I know some people suffer every day and have had surgeries, etc. Some people have only had one flare-up in their lives. I know going to the dentist and stress will sometimes set me off but sometimes won't.

I guess it depends what you want from your GP. My regular doctor told me to take advil and gave me a referral to a specialist. But he may be able to give you muscle relaxants or painkillers for next time you have a flare-up. I would probably still go if you have the time/money just so you aren't stuck next time with no relief!

 

[sudzs]

Thaks for that scared! Well I went to the doc and felt a bit silly as it is feeling so much better now.

But she checked my jaw and didn't seem too concerned. I mentioned my ear canal, same side was feeling a bit inflamed so I ended up getting drops for that and told I'd strained my mandibular joint, probably with all the dential treatment i've had recently and to rest it. No chomping into huge apples, that sort of thing. And to keep taking the ibuprofen.

Will see how it goes until I see the dentist next week and maybe I can get a prescription from him for any future emergencies.

Do you know if they prescribe valium as a muscle relaxant?? I'd rather that than the antidepressant which didn't agree with me before.

 

[annie778]

Do you know if they prescribe valium as a muscle relaxant?? I'd rather that than the antidepressant which didn't agree with me before.

they do but I've never found it that useful for that purpose. I was prescribed it when I had shoulder strain once and found a bag of frozen peas more useful. I personally prefer nurofen plus (ibuprofen and codeine) but both valium and anything with codeine are highly addictive.

 

[Razzle3]

Thanks, LT. I hope it indeed helps relieve your TMJ pain.

Sudzs, all the best to you, too.

Mona

 

[sudzs]

they do but I've never found it that useful for that purpose. I was prescribed it when I had shoulder strain once and found a bag of frozen peas more useful. I personally prefer nurofen plus (ibuprofen and codeine) but both valium and anything with codeine are highly addictive.

I don't think I'd manage to swallow a bag of frozen peas annie778, but will give it a try!!!

And thanks mona, it's a very tiring thing, I'd never imagined anything could be so aggrevating and constant and painful too. Tough the muscle spasm seems to be almost gone, the actual joint is still quite sore to touch.

I empathise with you all.

 

[lasteven]

since you guys wrote all these posts about a year ago, can you comment on your progress? i recently started having jaw ache problems on my left jaw joint area. it happened right after i had a molar tooth implant in my left jaw. the implant failed so they removed it and 1 month later i had a constant jaw pain and its been 10 weeks now. i'm wondering if it will ever go away.

 

[swampiesue]

Hi I am also having problems with my jaw after having a bridge fitted that was too high.... long story ...but the bridge has been ground down so much that my bite on the new bridge side is now a lot lower than my original bite on the other side.... This has been going on now for months but like you at night I cannot get my mouth comfortable,my teeth chatter and jaw constantly aches. During the day clench my teeth and now my jaw is making cracking noises. Due to go back again tomorrow to see my new dentist as I can not live with this any longer. I was going to have a night guard made but on no account want to fork out a load of money having one made until my bite is fixed and a new bridge fitted.

However the one good thing my dentist did do was give me some exercised they are called remedial jaw exercises, perhaps you could enquire about some from your dentist or trying looking them upon the net.

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hey sudzs

The TMJ is a tricky business. It is connected to the teeth arrangement, every surface of a tooth that touches the antagonist tooth while chewing effects the pressure of the TMJ.
The TMD is a complexed problem. Almost every disorder is a combination of muscles, skeleton and teeth.
I would like to offer you a practical tip that might help.
Biting hard with the front teeth produces much pressure in the joint. It is advised to chew with the back teeth .
Besides that, pain is usually a good marker for inflammation in the joint, of course not in every kind of pain.
good-luck