Can't Open Mouth After Getting 2 Cavities filled - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

sickofitpain · 09-20-2004, 02:47 PM

This is my first time post,and i can't believe all the helpful info on here...!!!

Here's my story...

I went to the dentist 12 days ago and had 2 cavities filled on my lower left area....He had a hard time getting it to numb up,so he gave me numerous needles....all was fine for the first day or two,but then I started getting progressive pain in the left joint area...now 12 days later,I can hardly open my mouth...just far enough to put one finger in,although it does hurt.....the pain spreads up into my left ear,and if I try opening it further,it makes like a stretch pop sound\feeling,and pain shoots through my ear....I've been constantly popping advil for headaches and pain.....and can hardly eat....I literally have squash my food right down.and still have a very hard time....

I called the dentist back today,and they said its not normal,and that I should come in and let the dentist look at it....which i'm dreading,as I know he's gonna stretch it open and cause me pain....

I guess what i'm asking is if anyone has any advice,recomendations,thoughts..

Thanks in Advance..!!!

Greg

DNut · 09-21-2004, 12:31 PM

Good Luck. My oral surgeon screwed up my tongue and jaw for life. Di

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westin4 · 09-22-2004, 08:33 AM

Greg,
My story is like Amy's. This all started 13 years ago for me after wisdom teeth removal and then the same diagnosis of a dry socket. It can be a severe problem so don't let them intimidate you or let it get out of control. I let those things happen to me and now 13 years into it, I am having the worst flare up yet and in a splint 24/7. If I would have been diagnosed right from the beginning and treated right all the years in between, this probably wouldn't be this way.

Take control of it and best of luck, let us know how you make out.
Karen

sickofitpain · 09-22-2004, 10:30 AM

Thanks for all the replies everyone,it kinda eases the pain,knowing so many other people are suffering from the same thing.....

Well I went to the dentist last night....He didn't even try to look in my mouth(thank god,would've killed)...he just asked if it was in the same area he put the injection....which i replied yes....he said it is most likely just a bruised muscle,and "Will Get Better".....he did have to give me numerous needles as I have a problem getting the bottom jaw frozen......I don't feel pain or numbness anywhere else(odd time the cavities he filled ache).....no numbness in the tongue or jaw(Thank God,This is bad enough!!!)....

So what do you guys think....Just a bruise..???....Anybody ever experience this,and it indeed did go away..???

Thanks again Everyone..!!!!

Greg

Boy,do I ever wish I could open like that...LOL

westin4 · 09-22-2004, 11:39 AM

Amy,
No, I never did anything. I guess I really didn't know all that was being done wrong until things were way to out of hand. Actually the dentist I just found in March is the first one in a loooooooong string of them that has pin pointed my problems and been able to get them under control. He is wonderful. I learned this..............take my advice, don't be afraid to fire a dentist. If you feel they aren't doing you any good, find another one. Don't be afraid to tell the next one what the previous ones told you and that you did not benefit from their treatment. Stay on top of it, take charge of it, don't be afraid to go from dentist to dentist til you find one that really knows what he is doing. WAY too many of them hang out their "tmj specialist" sign and they don't know a hill of beans!

Good luck!
Karen