Hi everyone . Been on forum before about neurological pain from wisdom tooth extraction resurrected after denture too high by 11 mm. After nearly a year have seen maxillo facial surgeon and neurologist at the same time who tell me it is muscular contraction as they now know that wisdom tooth extraction can provoke muscles to spasm . Anyone heard about this or experiencing this ? I still have neurological issues but apparently due to nerves been compresssed by muscles.

Regards


Nick

Hello,
I too suffered nerve pain after the extraction of my bottom left side wisdom tooth. I was told it was an overactive nerve and it would calm down in 3 weeks. TThat was told to me by an oral surgeon...Well its been 2 and 1/2 years and I still have pain. So does the dentist think you dont have ATN or nerve damage.? Just nerves compressed by muscles? I have never heard of that before. So what do they suggest you do about the pain? Or the compression? Do you have full dentures? Do they cause more pain for you? I have 11 teeth left and want to get all extracted for full dentures. Sorry so many questions...I hope you get relief from your pain..Pleas let us know how things go for you...
Stephanie

Hi Nick,

I am glad to see that you check in here once and awhile... I just wish it was with better news

I wanted to address this statement that you made.......

<< maxillo facial surgeon and neurologist at the same time who tell me it is muscular contraction as they now know that wisdom tooth extraction can provoke muscles to spasm>>

It is not uncommon for a dental patient to have a muscular spasm in their jaw, often the TMJ area, during or after any dental work. Wisdom tooth removal or removal of other posterior teeth or multiple extractions at one time, often in the lower arch, are the times that most people will complain about the muscle spasm. It can be the result of over extending the jaw muscle for the dentist to gain access to the tooth with their instruments. Sometimes it is caused by over extending the jaw for too long a period of time. Other times it is caused by the dentist applying pressure to the lower jaw for a long a period of time.

Some people go into spasm easier or quicker than others. Some people have an immediate symptom of this happening, while some one else may not notice anything until their body starts to calm down from the procedure and they are caught by surprise with this muscle spasm. Yet others might only feel like their jaw is misaligned but have no pain. Everyone is different and there is no way to know if it will become a short or long term problem.

The symptoms of muscle spasms in the jaw are very varied in both pain and duration. They can also cause referred pain to areas that seem unassociated with the area that has gone into spasm. The inflammation from the contracted muscle can spread and the pain associated with that will be different depending on where it has traveled too. For instance the pain directly in the muscle could feel tight, achey, and throb. Pain elsewhere could feel similar or it could be sharp, burning or stinging. It depends on what areas are actually being affected.

Sometimes a person will have a complication with the jaw muscle after dental work and over time it seems to have calmed down.... with maybe an occasional flare here or there. But when that area of the face is irritated or aggravated for whatever reason.... additional dental, a tooth infection or even the wearing of a denture (especially one that is ill fitting) .... the original problem with the muscle resurfaces.

I have seen an assortment of these issues occur in varying degrees countless times and the earlier the diagnosis the less likely it is to become a long term chronic problem. With that said, it is not a clear cut issue to diagnose either.

I have TMJ problems stemming back from and injury when I was a little girl. There are times when my lower left jaw area is quite painful and the pain radiates up my jaw in to my ear, sometimes my eye. It is pretty relentless until the spasm subsides. Having dealt with this for so many years, I know that it occurs when I have dental work on my lower arch or if I am stressed and clench my teeth for too long a period of time. During these episodes, I apply hot moist compresses a few times a day, I am mindful of how I am chewing as to give my jaw a rest, mindful not to clench and also mindful of the angle that my head is when I sleep to put myself in as comfortable and relaxing a position as much as possible. I take homeopathy... both arnica and gelsimium throughout the day(s), and I take lemon balm tincture in a small amount of water for the same duration. My pain may last for several hours or several days. But it will go away just as suddenly as it appears. So I know for me, it is a muscle spasm.

Bryanna

Hi Stephanie , first sorry about what you are going through. I know what its all about and so do a lot of others. Anyway to answer you questions , I also had not heard of muscle contraction after Wisdom tooth extraction etc but I am sure you must have read Bryannas reply to me. It gets you thinking. I wear a partial denture as I still have a few teeth at the front. Was ok but now , because of current problems only wear them to eat. Even when ok the denture could give me problems at times but only for a day or two. I also have TMJ which makes things a messy situation. THe advice i got was to leave things alone for a while as I have had some serious reactions to medication. Have you tried homepathy ? I have found that it can be effective , but it depends on the practioner. Do you have myofascial pain ?

Regards


Nick

Thanks for reply. I am really interested in what you have to say. I also have TMJ which was under control but I am also battling with that too. Please tell me what potency Homeopathic arnica and gelsemium do you take ? What is the reason for lemon balm tincture. ? Do you get myofascial trigger points as well?

Also, I was at hospital at the weekend as my right side and TMJ became swollen and tender . They said it was fluid in responce to an inflamed joint. Have you come across this ? What do you do about it ?


Sorry so many questions . Trying to find a way back to stability.



Regards


Nick

Hi Nick,

Once you've had TMJ problems, you are always going to be prone to flare ups. Any dental work that requires you to hold your mouth open for an extended period of time can cause a TMJ flare up..... this includes a tooth extraction.

Also,when a tooth is extracted sometimes the force of removing the tooth causes a shift in the alignment of the upper and lower jaw muscles. This does not mean that the person is left with a permanent problem but it can take a long time to get better. If the person had previous TMJ issues, the problem can be more severe or take longer to mend.

I often use the highest potency of homeopathic remedies because that is what seems to work best for me. But that may not be best for you. I feel to achieve the most effective results, it is best to work with a homeopathic physician or other who is well versed on homeopathy. I am not informed well enough to prescribe or suggest a potency for you.

The lemon balm extract is a natural relaxant and stress reliever. I have used it with much success. I cannot say if it would be as effective for you. Everyone is different. A practitioner who is well versed in herbs and homeopathy would be your best guide.

Yes, I do on occasion have trigger points around the area of my TMJ joint and muscle both inside my mouth and outside anywhere from the top of my head down that entire side to my neck. Anything that causes me to clench my jaw... stress and anxiety... sometimes fatigue... can set them off.

Yes, anytime a joint becomes inflamed it is a natural response for fluid to collect in that area. Sometimes the collection is minor, other times it can be quite severe. I have arthritis in a few of my finger joints and on occasion they will become inflamed with minor collection of fluid. In my arsenal of homeopathy for arthritic pain/swelling I have Apis, Rhus tox, and Byronia. I use which ever one is best suited at the time. I also use Arnica because it is a great anti inflammatory. I also will soak my hands in a covered basin of Epson salt and lavender mixed in hot water. What did they do for you at the hospital?

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna and other readers,

Have been to hospital and examined by consultant. He managed to get me on a new ultra sound machine and examined my discs and jaw . Also booked for mri ,Glands ok , Disc on they side they looked ,on condyle . So diagnosis myofascial pain disorder. OK last couple of years very stressful but has anyone experienced this. How do you get out of perpetuating the condition which in itself is very stressful. It's vicious cycle.



Regards


Nick