jaw pain - Pain Management Message Board

momofsix · 09-26-2003, 08:53 AM

Seven years ago I had a root canal on a lower molar. A couple of weeks later I started getting pain that felt like it was the tooth aching. The root canal was redone several times, and then finally the tooth was extracted. That didn't end the pain, so I subsequently had my wisdom teeth out, the adjoining tooth out, a top tooth out and finally gum surgery because it was suspected a root tip may have been left behind. Since then I have still suffered pain, usually on and off, with sometimes months with no pain in between. This past year, however, the pain has been almost constant. The gums (I have no teeth there now) ache as if they're being squeezed with a clamp, and when it's most severe my lips on that side have a kind of burning/tingling feeling. As well the pain goes down that side of my neck and around the base of my skull. CT scans and MRIs show nothing wrong. Regular, over-the-counter pain relievers do not have any effect. The only thing that helps sometimes is a narcotic pain reliever which naturally I don't want to use too much of. We've also tried some antidepressants and amitriptylene, but they didn't seem to help and have annoying side effects. Anyone have any advice?

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Karine · 09-26-2003, 09:19 AM

Hi and welcome to the board.
I too have had 2 root canals both on the left side side by side teeth. No explanation on why I still have tooth pain like I did before the root canals. I am sorry about your pain but maybe your family doc can give you something that will help when it gets bad.
Good luck
Kari

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Chronic pain from Tendentious in right elbow 1996, left elbow 1998, shoulder pain within that time, neck pain the hole time.
My job at Safeway ended in Jan of 99, they said due to lack of work for me. They could not make a job for me, so I was on my own. No Insurance, no money, no hope. I have used everything from expensive ointments to magnets nothing would help.
Docs would not give pain meds because they are additive even though I was in chronic pain. Could not take the pain anymore Jan. 2003. No work no money the pain just kept getting worse.
I was very depressed and ready to step infront of a big truck to run me over. I really gave up on any hope to control the pain til a freind took me by the hand to help me get the help I needed.
Was told by welfare to run up $2500. in ER bills to get covarage for myself, so that is where the help started, now I had to find a doc who would listen that is not easy, ER docs will not just give out pain meds, "med addicts". But got lucky found on doc in the ER that did listen and gave me hope and would see me.
I suggest to anyone out there look for the younger docs that will help for chronic pain.
Found out through MRI's I have degenerative arthritis in my neck, shoulders and arms on both sides. Nerve damage in right arm due to surgery in right elbow. Now am seeing a PM doc whom I do not care for but will see tomorrow about my break through pain. No more PM doc back to my reg doc. She put me on vicodin 3 x a day if needed for BT pain.
Have a good pain free day

Kari

c.meade · 09-28-2003, 04:49 AM

For years I had tooth pain. I've had more root canals and teeth extractions than I care to dwell on. The pain I felt was similar to what you have described and the a few years ago my pain began to get worse. Eight months ago it became constant--all the time the dentists just wanted to pull something, do a root canal againn or cut on my gums.

Let me tell you about my pain now--it's primarily in my lower jaw, but can be in my TM joint too. It runs down my neck and into the back of my head. I also have alwful headaches from it and have gone to completely soft foods due to it.

8 months ago I see a new dentist in hopes that he wasn't wanting to pull more teeth or something. He told me I have TMJ. TMJ doesn't always show up on X-rays or scans and is very painful. I let it go so long due to misdiagnosis that I now have to see a PM specialist and will be on meds for the rest of my life.

To top it all off, my dental insurance doesn't pay for anything TMJ related and my dentist (being the kind sole he is <<sarcasim>> ) told me that if I couldn't shell out $1000 for a splint that probably wouldn't work anyway, that he couldn't see me again. Hince the PM doc now.

I would suggest locating a dentist in your area that specializes in TMJ and go to him. That is what it sounds like to me. Because that is how I felt, too. Here is some info I found on the net about TMJ:

SENSITIVE TEETH--

The teeth may become sensitive because of jaw activities such as clenching of the teeth or grinding of the teeth when the disc of the TMJ is displaced. Patients often see their dentist with the complaint of pain in the teeth and usually the doctor can find no cause. Frequently (and very unfortunately), unnecessary root canals and even tooth extractions are performed in an attempt to help a suffering person. What's worse, after these invasive and non-reversible procedures, patients still have their pain, only now it has increased!

Here is the site: [url="http://www.tmjfacial********/tmjfacial.htm"]http://www.tmjfacial********/tmjfacial.htm[/url]

I hope this info helps you. God Bless!

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~~Christina~~

NeedANewHead · 09-28-2003, 09:25 AM

Christina gave a lot of good info and it sounds like TMJ to me also.
All the reading I have done now since I have TMJ it seems it comes on after either wisdom teeth have come out or other tooth work has been done. Such a shame for such a painful disease to be caused by a common thing.
I feel for you and your pain....I know first hand how painful jaw pain is. Its taken a pretty high dose of Oxycontin to lower my jaw pain enough that I can continue to function. Thank god for my compassionate doc.

momofsix · 09-28-2003, 11:57 AM

I have wondered about TMJ, but the oral surgeon can't find anything unusual about the joint or movement. I also don't have any trouble chewing. In fact, it feels somewhat better when I'm eating. Maybe that's just because I'm being distracted. Anyways, the fact that there is no pain on chewing or opening or closing my mouth seems to me to rule out TMJ?

Needanewhead - is oxycontin all you're doing now? Is there no other treatment option? Like Christina, there's not way I can afford a splint that may not even work, and I've had enough surgery to last a lifetime.

Linda