Bryanna it seems my issues are getting worse not better. From what I can tell my extractions are healing fine. The sites look pink and healthy, not red or inflamed. Some of the gum does look more whitish than pink and this is more around where the infected pulled tooth was and not the pulled wisdom tooth. I am still in discomfort. It is more persistent and bothersome at this point. It is not excruciating, it does not keep me up at night. I don't really know how to explain the discomfort. Sometimes it does hurt. Sometimes it feels fine. It basically is an aching, sore feeling. My lymph node on that side is still swollen. It has been since before they diagnosed me with the dry socket. Sometimes I feel a weird feeling on that side of my tongue. Sometimes pain radiates to that upper wisdom tooth and to the teeth nearby. Also to my ear and neck. Rarely I feel it in my whole bottom jaw. I notice at work it seems to be more bothersome. I have a desk job and am on the phone a lot. I do use a headset with the phone. There is still a small hole in the wisdom tooth socket that continues to close and heal. I do see white in there which looks like granulation tissue. I am keeping my mouth clean and still rinsing the area with a salt water rinse at night. There is now a hard white bump under my tongue that looks like and is in the place where a tori would be. It's not really near the extraction sight it is under the teeth closest to the site. I don't believe I have been a teeth grinder in the past but do feel I have been doing this some nights since my extractions. Some mornings when I wake all my teeth hurt like I've been grinding them. I am still worried about infection and don't really know how I will know if I get one. It has been 6 weeks should I be in increasing discomfort? Am I developing an infection? Could this be a tmj or neuro disorder. I am hesitant to go back to either the dentist or oral surgeon who keep telling me I am fine when I am still having issues after 6 weeks. I don't know what to do and just want to understand what is going on.

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At this point I am pretty sure the problems I am having are tmj related. I'm trying to take it easy and not work the jaw too much. Some days/times the discomfort is worse than others. I think this has been the problem since having the teeth extracted. I almost think the dry socket was misdiagnosed after all The dentist diagnosed it at day 10 and the symptoms I complained of could have fit both. Soreness, jaw pain and stiffness, ear pain and referred facial, neck and upper jaw pain. All symptoms I am still struggling with today more than 6 weeks later. I also have tinnitus. The hard white bump seems to be bone and has a symmetrical bump on the opposite side of my mouth. That one isn't is big. I am wondering if my teeth are possibly shifting. The tmj symptoms are greatly interrupting my life. They are constantly there and uncomfortable and sometimes painful. I do not know how bad this is, how long it will last or if it will go away on its own. I really don't know what to do. My dentist doesn't want to help me anymore. The oral surgeon didn't seem concerned or helpful. Granted I haven't seen either one of them in a couple of weeks. But they said I was healing, no signs of infection and just to be healthy and wait it out. Bryanna told me the same. I have followed this advice. This is just hard because I have a constant reminder that I am still not healed. I keep worrying about the pain and discomfort and why it continues and if it will ever leave. I keep worrying about infection setting in. How would I even know if I'm not feeling well anyway? I honestly just don't know what to do. If this is still at a point where I need to "wait it out." If I can help myself or if anyone else can help me. Do I have a tmj problem? Do I try to go back to the dentist who did this to me or the oral surgeon who didn't seem to care? Neither one wanted to help me. Do I try going to my doctor? Do I just live with this and hope for the best?

Ughthedentist,

I think there could be a few things going on based on your continued symptoms.

1) If you are grinding your teeth then you are likely to have various pain and discomfort in areas other than the extraction site. You should see your dentist to evaluate you for tmj problems. If this is what you have then he can make you a night guard that may be helpful.

2) A swollen lymph node can indicate infection. But sometimes it just takes time for the gland to go down after an infected tooth has been extracted. Is the gland tender to touch it?

3) The photo you posted indicates that you had a bad infection that had cause some of the bone to deteriorate. As the area heals the bone is going to recede. This will cause a shift in the way you are occluding your teeth together which may be why you are grinding your teeth.

4) Anytime there is a dry socket the area takes longer to heal. There is also a chance that there is a low grade infection which may be affecting the lymph node. Sometimes this needs treatment other times it doesn't. Your dentist can check your gland when he checks you for tmj.

BTW.... I received both of your private messages. I am sorry for the delay but as a volunteer on this site, I spend as much time here as I can... in between work, school, family .... etc. Sometimes I only have time to answer a question or two.

I hope this information was helpful to you. Hope you and your dentist are able to come up with a plan to help you feel better.

Bryanna,

Thank you for your response and sorry for being impatient.
I've just been in a world of worry and honestly you have been more helpful than my dentist or oral surgeon. The gland is not tender to the touch. I do feel like the gland is decreasing in size and hardness this morning. I noticed the gland issue days before they diagnosed me with dry socket but it could've been swollen before that.

I don't think I am consistently grinding my teeth. Most mornings when I wake my jaw is achy but sometimes all my teeth are sore and I think this would be from grinding. It has only happened a handful of times since having the teeth extracted. Why does the photo indicate bone deterioration and will this eventually require additional dental work? What do you think about the hard bony lump? Also do you think the infection before extraction would have required any scraping or cleaning of the bone post extraction? If my dentist did this she did not share it with me.

The jaw pain/discomfort has been a little better yesterday and this morning it wasn't as sore when I woke up. It feels achy, especially into my ear and neck and sometimes my collar bone even aches. I've also been having almost an itchy sensation in the jaw and gums and ear. What does this mean? The tinnitus is driving me crazy but I can deal with it. The clicking and popping noises even seem less frequent and uncomfortable. Is this a good sign the problem is resolving itself? I have been very careful with eating softer foods and keeping good posture. I have even been doing a couple of the easy going tmj exercises.

I am very hesitant to go back and see my dentist. The last time I saw her she was rude and told me she couldn't help me anymore. She seemed angry and defensive that I kept coming back. She referred me to an oral surgeon and as I told you he blew me off as well. It is hard for me to find quality care because of my insurance I can only see in-network doctors or it is not covered at all. I do not have the money to go out of network. At this point I do not value the dentist or oral surgeons advice. I am afraid first that they will blow me off again and second that they will want to do something that will harm me further. This whole experience has only increased my fear and worry about dentists and dental work and it was pretty bad before.

Bryanna I want to apologize again for being impatient. We are all very lucky to have you volunteer your time and advice. You are truly a wonderful person to help so many others as you do. I send you a heartfelt thank you Bryanna....as I said you have helped me more than my dentist or oral surgeon.

Hi ughthedentist,

I am going to re post some of your thread and reply in bold type.

<<The gland is not tender to the touch. I do feel like the gland is decreasing in size and hardness this morning.>>

OKAY THOSE ARE BOTH POSITIVE.

<< I noticed the gland issue days before they diagnosed me with dry socket but it could've been swollen before that. >>

A SWOLLEN GLAND INDICATES THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM IS FIGHTING INFLAMMATION AND/OR BACTERIA. WHEN IT SWELLS UP THIS IS THE BODY'S SYMPTOM OF INDICATING THERE IS A PROBLEM.

<< I don't think I am consistently grinding my teeth. Most mornings when I wake my jaw is achy but sometimes all my teeth are sore and I think this would be from grinding. It has only happened a handful of times since having the teeth extracted.>>

IF YOU WAKE UP "MOST" MORNINGS TO AN ACHY JAW THEN YOU ARE PROBABLY GRINDING OR CLENCHING YOUR TEETH "MOST" NIGHTS WHICH WOULD MEAN IT IS A "CONSISTENT" PROBLEM. THE JAW, THE GUMS AND THE TEETH CAN ALL BE TENDER OR ACHY FROM GRINDING OR CLENCHING OF YOUR TEETH.

<<Why does the photo indicate bone deterioration and will this eventually require additional dental work? >>

THE PHOTO INDICATES A LOSS OF BONE ALONG THE RIDGE AT THE BUCCAL PLATE WHICH IS THE BONE THAT IS CLOSEST TO YOUR CHEEK. THIS LOSS OCCURS WHEN THERE IS A LONG TERM TOOTH OR BONE INFECTION. ONCE THE BUCCAL PLATE IS GONE THERE IS REALLY NO IDEAL WAY TO REPLACE IT.

<< What do you think about the hard bony lump?>>

YOU DO HAVE OTHER AREAS OF BONY TORI. I CAN SOME IN YOUR LOWER JAW NEAR THE FRONT. THIS COULD BE A NEW ONE FORMING. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE IN PATIENTS WHO HAVE TORI TO SEE NEW ONES DEVELOP AFTER A TRAUMATIC INJURY OR DIFFICULT EXTRACTION.

<<Also do you think the infection before extraction would have required any scraping or cleaning of the bone post extraction?>>

IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR THE DENTIST TO THOROUGHLY DEBRIDE THE SOCKET OF THE PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT AND ALL NECROTIC TISSUE AND BONE THAT CAN BE SEEN OR FELT AT THE TIME OF THE EXTRACTION. WHEN THIS IS NOT DONE IT CAN LEAD TO DRY SOCKET AND/OR A LONG TERM BACTERIAL PROBLEM.

<<The jaw pain/discomfort has been a little better yesterday and this morning it wasn't as sore when I woke up. It feels achy, especially into my ear and neck and sometimes my collar bone even aches. I've also been having almost an itchy sensation in the jaw and gums and ear. What does this mean?>>

THESE ARE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF A NOCTURNAL BRUXING HABIT. ONCE THIS BECOMES A HABIT, EVEN ON THOSE DAYS WHEN YOU DO NOT DO IT THAT MUCH, YOU WILL STILL EXPERIENCE THESE SYMPTOMS BECAUSE THE MUSCLES, THE TEETH, THE GUMS.... ARE ALL AGGRAVATED AND INFLAMED. THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AN ALLEVIATE THIS IS TO TAKE STEPS TO EITHER STOP THE HABIT OR WEAR A NIGHT GUARD TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE TRAUMA THAT THE BRUXING IS CAUSING YOU. THE ITCHY SENSATION CAN BE A STIMUALTION OF THE NERVES BEING INFLAMED AS A RESULT OF THE BRUXING.

<<The tinnitus is driving me crazy but I can deal with it.>>

TINNITUS CAN OCCUR FROM BRUXING.

<<The clicking and popping noises even seem less frequent and uncomfortable. Is this a good sign the problem is resolving itself? >>

THESE SYMPTOMS WILL WAX AND WANE DEPENDING ON HOW OFTEN AND HOW DEEPLY YOUR BRUXING HABIT IS.

<< I have been very careful with eating softer foods and keeping good posture. I have even been doing a couple of the easy going tmj exercises.>>

BE CAREFUL WITH TMJ EXERCISES AND NEVER TAKE THEM FARTHER THAN WHAT IS PHYSICALLY COMFORTABLE. THE CULPRIT IS THE BRUXING... AS LONG AS YOU ARE DOING THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

<<I am very hesitant to go back and see my dentist. The last time I saw her she was rude and told me she couldn't help me anymore. She seemed angry and defensive that I kept coming back.>>

SHE CANNOT HELP YOU WITH THE SURGICAL AREAS. BUT SHE CAN HELP YOU WITH A NIGHT GUARD.

<< She referred me to an oral surgeon and as I told you he blew me off as well.>>

THIS HAPPENS WHEN AN ORAL SURGEON DOES NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE SURGERY THAT WAS DONE BY A GENERAL DENTIST.

<< It is hard for me to find quality care because of my insurance I can only see in-network doctors or it is not covered at all. I do not have the money to go out of network.>>

I UNDERSTAND AND THIS IS VERY UNFORTUNATE FOR MANY PEOPLE.

<< At this point I do not value the dentist or oral surgeons advice. I am afraid first that they will blow me off again and second that they will want to do something that will harm me further. This whole experience has only increased my fear and worry about dentists and dental work and it was pretty bad before.>>

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT WHEN SOMEONE IS AFRAID AND EVEN MORE DIFFICULT WHEN THAT PERSON HAS TO STAY WITHIN THE STRICT GUIDELINES OF THEIR INSURANCE. IDEALLY YOU NEED TO FIND A DENTIST THAT CALMS YOUR FEARS AND STICKS WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE TREATMENT. THIS CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DO AS MOST DENTISTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN LIMITED INSURANCE PLANS DO SO MAINLY FOR THE COMPENSATION FROM THE INSURANCE.

<<Bryanna I want to apologize again for being impatient. We are all very lucky to have you volunteer your time and advice. You are truly a wonderful person to help so many others as you do. I send you a heartfelt thank you Bryanna....as I said you have helped me more than my dentist or oral surgeon>>

DON'T APOLOGIZE, I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY. I WISH I HAD MORE TIME TO DEVOTE HERE. I ALSO WISH MORE DENTISTS WOULD BE MORE INFORMATIVE AND COMFORTING WITH THEIR PATIENTS. THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS.

Bryanna,

I have managed to get my pre and post op X-rays from the oral surgeon. Would you take a look at them and let me know what you think? I am having a debate with myself to decide whether I should call my dentist and ask her if she did a proper debridement of the areas after the extractions. I am sure she did as there was time in between each extraction where I did not know what she was doing. She wasn't good at all about explaining anything to me with each appointment either before, after or during the surgery. Wouldn't I be showing symptoms of infection by now if she had not properly cleaned the area? Maybe the X-rays will shed some light?

Also I am very confused with tmj and grinding/clenching. As I said I don't ever recall having any of these issues before these extractions. Has the trauma of the extractions led to tmj and the clenching? I do not think I am grinding. I have not had the total mouth/teeth pain in weeks and that only happened a couple of times. I am just having the pain/discomfort on the extraction side sometimes the whole bottom jaw but rarely. I do have that other wisdom tooth on the bottom jaw it has not broken through yet. Also the top back tooth on the extraction side is a wisdom tooth. Sometimes I feel fine and sometimes I just ache. My neck, ear, cheek. It seems when I turn my head to the left it irritates it more....especially the neck. Only on the extraction side really. The side of my neck and the back of my neck. I have tried some of the at home remedies for clenching and tmj. Sleeping on my back doesn't seem to make a difference. Applying wet heat doesn't either. I am taking it easy with eating and working the jaw too much. I have noticed that I am clenching even during the day. I have never done this before. I am wondering if it is trauma and if it will resolve itself once my jaw heals. I just have no way of knowing how bad the jaw is hurt. Maybe the X-rays show something? I know the constant worry is not helping me here and probably causes me to clench more. I have been reminding myself throughout the day to relax. It is just hard when it is 2 months later and you're still in discomfort. I also cannot settle the fears of infection setting in.

Bryanna can you take a look at the X-rays and let me know your thoughts? I may have to post two replies to send over both xrays. Thank you.

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