TMJ and Anxiety - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

macmonkey · 02-06-2007, 02:28 PM

Greetings,

I've read a lot of threads and feel for everyone on here.

I had 4 wisdom teeth extracted back in May. I felt great for about 3 weeks after the extraction. 3 weeks after my stitches were out I started feeling a minor pain in one of the extraction areas and at the back base of my tongue on the right (around the Papillae glands?). The tongue pain was similar to a minor mouth ulcer or as if my teeth were wearing on my tongue. I went to the oral surgeon for a little checkup - he said I was healing very nicely and suggested I go to the dentist. A week after the tooth pain started - it went away and my dentist didn't see anything wrong w/ me.

Since this time (6 months now) my pain comes and goes - usually good 1 day and bad the next. It seems as if my anxiety is directly in tandem with the discomfort. I've been going to a VERY sweet and VERY good Oral Surgeon whom has been basically coaching me through my problem.

I'm about 50lbs overweight and I am a pretty stressful guy (just quit smoking 5 weeks before my "TMJ" pains started). I'm on a diet that's working and I go to the gym at least 5 days a week hoping that losing weight will help with my stress and ultimately pain.

My girlfriend says I don't grind my teeth at night (that she knows of) and outside of throat tightness and the annoying tongue pain I'm all good. The tightness in my throat is primarily on my right side but sometimes pulls into my left side. My discomfort is always MUCH better first thing of a morning or as I'm laying down to go to bed.

Is it possible that this is all in my head? If so anything I can do to make this better? I've had a CT scan on my pain area and was recently in the hospital for Kidney stone where they did plenty of blood work which was all normal as can be.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thelma-Louise · 02-06-2007, 04:30 PM

Were the teeth already fully erupted when they were extracted or beneath the gum or partially visible? Were they impacted, or if already erupted, were they on an angle different from the other molars, especially the ones directly in front of them?

macmonkey · 02-07-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thelma-Louise

Were the teeth already fully erupted when they were extracted or beneath the gum or partially visible? Were they impacted, or if already erupted, were they on an angle different from the other molars, especially the ones directly in front of them?

I had 1 completely impacted (top right side). On the bottom they were both partially impacted (On left was pretty much all grown out, on right was like tip-o' the iceburg with most of the tooth underground). Top right was complete grown out and was a simple extraction.

Thelma-Louise · 02-07-2007, 12:03 PM

I know this is going to sound a bit odd or off the wall but b/c 2 of the teeth were fully erupted I think your tongue may have been relying on them for guidance - teeth help direct the tongue and to a certain extent the tongue uses them as support - the tongue is a muscle, so without the 2 erupted teeth there it may be having some issues of new add'l space in the area. My tmj started shortly after an upper last tooth was modified (long story) and I started getting a pulling sensation from side to side which escalated into facial spasms and then tmj pain. For muscular tmj issues the tongue is usually a big component of the problem. I'm not sure this applies to you but its just a thought.

I was also wondering if your back teeth are still meeting together correctly - sometimes the removal of teeth frees up space in the mouth and teeth can shift or if possibly your bite had become accustomed to the 2 teeth already erupted and is now stressed due to them no longer being there.

I think a night guard might help - it may give you add'l support in the back while you are sleeping and help your tongue relax. Also since you mentioned glands, you could check to see if any of your glands in the area (even salivary) have become infected from the extraction - usually a round of antibiotics will either prove that theory or not.

macmonkey · 02-07-2007, 12:33 PM

Thelma - seriously... I love you!

This problem has pretty much ruled my life for the past 6 months and all along I could swear this had a lot to do w/ my tongue. When the pain first came about I was describing it as if my tongue were "missing" having that little chunk of tooth. A big problem was that I was so scared of my extraction - I put it off for 5 years from the moment I found out it was going to be needed. I put up with the eruption - infections - cuts etc... then finally tooth pain caused me to take the leap and I was ecstatic when it was all over. I was ready to go and party out the night after my extraction (I didn't).

You are the first person I've spoken to that has offered up this scenario.

Is there a name for this condition?

The pain persisted for a few weeks in my tongue and throat before it developed into facial spasms and such - which the oral surgeon gave me little muscle relaxers to take at night which work wonders. Problem is I get a bottle of 30 - then need to go back to the OS to get another prescription.
I would even be willing wear some kind of retainer if need be to help support my tongue and get things back in shape.

I'm copying your post right now to offer up to my oral surgeon on my next visit (if there is one). Just knowing SOMEONE out there can feel my pain is a huge comfort.