Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi starsparkles,

Based on your previous posts, I am going to assume that the actual oral surgeon has not evaluated the site. However, the surgeons staff as well as your general dentist have, is that correct? The best one to evaluate the site is the oral surgeon as that is who rendered the treatment. So he would know the actual details of your surgery and if what you currently are experiencing with the soreness in the surgical area is normal for what had been done.

Radiating pain into the ear and headaches can be caused by inflammation in the TMJ joint or surrounding area. Inflammation in that area is often due to a muscle spasm or tight muscle in the muscles that control the movement of the jaw. Sometimes people have chronic TMJ issues due to a clenching or grinding habit or a misalignment of their bite... sometimes there are definitive symptoms with this, other times not so much. Meaning you could have a TMJ problem and not really be aware of it because it was not causing obvious symptoms until the muscle spasm occurred and set off a chain of events and inflammation. It is not uncommon for people to complain of TMJ and/or facial/ ear or head pain after a tooth extraction because the mouth was either propped open or opened widely for an extended period of time resulting in the muscle spasm.

Acute problems of the TMJ usually subside on their own once the muscle relaxes. However, if you had any previous TMJ issues or you clench or grind your teeth ... then this could take longer to repair or it may end up being a problem that bothers you from time to time. Your general dentist would need to evaluate your bite and also the wear pattern on your teeth to see if you have a bruxism habit. If that were the diagnosis, then your dentist could have a night guard made for you that would be helpful in relaxing the muscle and preventing tooth damage that can occur with that habit.

For the acute pain of the TMJ, You can apply moist heat to the affected side of your face for 15-20 minutes before bedtime and upon wakening in the morning. Do that for few days and see if it helps. Avoid foods that are very chewy so as to not over work the jaw joint.

Hope this information is helpful to you,
Bryanna