Wisdom Teeth Extraction Complications (So Tired and Sore)? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Jammix · 08-30-2006, 07:35 PM

Hello.....

I have a very tense, tired facial system, especially in the muscles of
the mandible, that traces back to the removal of my wisdom teeth some
years ago. It was through an oral surgeon who removed all four just as
they were coming through and IV sedation was utilized. Is it at all
comprehensible that an array of "TMJ" symptoms could be rooted in this
wisdom tooth surgery? I took the antibiotics for only one day or so,
instead of completing the prescription, because I was responding with
nausea and stomach upset and diarrhea. I used salt-water locally. An
infection? Possible nerve damage? What are your thoughts both on the
possible causes and possible treatments of a very stiff, dull, tense,
tremorous TMD condition? It feels, I think, like how a jaw would feel
when injected with local anesthetic.. before it has worn off. It is
always like that. I wish there was something to do, but what really
could be done? Obviously a thorough examination is required for a
thorough, personalized analysis, but based upon your expertise and
knowledge, what is your thinking in general as per what has been
outlined here?

J

Thelma-Louise · 08-30-2006, 10:52 PM

If it started with the extraction of your wisdom teeth the only thing that comes to mind is that maybe your jaw joints were over stretched during the procedure, that you were kept open for too long of a period or a nerve was damaged during the procedure. Were they visible before extraction? Did you use them when chewing? If they were, perhaps your bite changed after their extraction. Where the teeth were extracted - is there a lump or small mound where the tooth was? If so, do the upper and lower "lumps" touch or meet each other when you are closed? If they do they could be causing pressure on your lower jaw. I am also wondering about your condyles - they allow the lower jaw to move freely - so you would need to have that checked out by a specialist and get some xrays, or MRI, etc. of those. Just some thoughts.

Jammix · 08-31-2006, 10:43 AM

Hi. I have had my condyles clinically examined and x-rayed and they seem to be in good shape. My wisdom teeth were not truly a part of my bite before the procedure. They were just breaking through at the time. The bone and tissue where they were, however, does seem like it might be meeting. When I put my finger behind my last two teeth, and bite down, there is a lot of force on it and it seems to exacerbate my condition. If I put the thin handle of a spoon there, it seems like it is able to fit there when I bite, without biting down on it, but the area is indeed rather tender. Might it possibly help to get some of the bone behind my last molars removed?

Jammix · 08-31-2006, 02:50 PM

I guess my muscles are in spasm. But how to stop that cycle?

Thelma-Louise · 08-31-2006, 07:53 PM

I have tried so many things to stop my tmj pain and one of them was to have those lumps where my wisdom teeth were scaled down by an oral surgeon since they were slightly touching when I closed. Although it required novacaine and dissolvable stiches - it reaaly didn't hurt at all. Unfortunately that really was not the root cause of my muscular problem. You could see an OS who specializes in tmj about it and see what he thinks. Generally to stop muscle spasm cycles, either splints, NTIs, trigger point injections, oral muscle relaxants (meds), warm moist compresses and the tens unit are first tried. Some people find relief from accupuncture or PT or laser light therapy or ultra sound therapy. I'm thinking of trying botox injections in the near future.