Hi everyone, and hi Bryanna! I think you will remember me from a couple threads ago, where I told my failed root canal story, and how I had two teeth extracted.

Well- my last extraction (the one we had talked about in said thread about two weeks ago) seems to have gone pretty well, and I hardly had or have any significant problems or pain afterwards. I also had a one week post surgery appointment, and the surgeon said all looked fine. He did say that usually, upper teeth, and especially that one (I think nr 5) are pretty easy, unless they border too close to the sinus cavity, which was not the case for me.

HOWEVER! I seem to have some very strange symptoms from my FIRST tooth extraction (fractured root canal) on my bottom left jaw! The extraction was done in late October last year, so about 3 months ago. The healing process was much more problematic and I did experience quite some pain, but not to the point where I needed to take anything stronger than maybe 2 or 3 advil a day for about a week. When I had my post surgery follow up for the last extraction, I told my oral surgeon about this, and that I was a bit worried that maybe something did not heal well, since it hurt so much more than the upper tooth extraction. He did an x-ray, and said, all looks good, the gum is healing well, no splinters (got a bone graft) or anything, all smooth. He said, it might take a while to feel normal, since it had been a big infection that had brewed there for about 2 years.
However, the pain I feel does not feel like the typical tooth infection or abscess pain, but more like a "pinched nerve" pain that can make my temple on that side, the area behind and below my ear, and the neck area on that side hurt. Also, strangely, I feel this weird nerve pain in my upper jaw, above the extraction. Not in the teeth, but more up in the gum area, not really localized to one spot. I am wondering, if something happened to my nerves? It can get pretty bad, and other days I don't feel it much at all. But it is very annoying, as it feels like these stabbing, pinchy nerve pains, and all I can do to feel better is, press certain acupressure points right under the occipital ridge or below the ear. What could this be??? I am at a loss as to where to turn, as it seems the oral surgeon, from his side, feels all is normal and there is no visible damage. Should I see my general dentist about this? Or another specialist? I mean, I don't even know what it could be- TMJ maybe? The surgeon did check my jaw before the procedure and said that it clicked when I opened and closed my mouth. But he did not tell me what that means, really, or what risks/ potential damage could come from that?

Anyways, I hope you can make anything from what I have said, and it is not too confusing- cause for me, it sure is very confusing, having no idea what could be the problem now

Thank you for your time and patience!
Meera- or, should I say, the witch with two gaps in her smile (just joking, I actually do not mind the gaps too much, even though I was so scared of how I would look hah)