On August 19 while chewing gum I felt something different on my back tooth; I looked at it in the mirror and noticed the filling on top had cracked (a crack running across the top). Approximately 8 months prior I was chewing gum and something similar happened and the side part of the filling chipped off, which left a type of hole in the side. This tooth never bothered me though, no pain. I did have a treatment plan done several years ago and that dentist wanted to do a root canal on that tooth because they said there was an infection in it; I didn’t believe them because there was no pain.

I made a appointment for the next day. (8-20-09) This was an old filling and just needed to be replaced. After getting this tooth and the one behind it re-filled (mouth was open for a little over an hour)I started having pain that night and especially the next day. I went back to the dentist a couple days later and they took x-rays and found nothing wrong, put me on penicillin just in case an infection was starting. (8-25-09) Still no pain in the tooth or the one behind it; but severe pain in the jaw and ear and glands in the neck. The dentist wasn’t very optimistic about a root canal and said that was an option or having it pulled, I chose to have it pulled; but wasn’t sure which tooth needed pulled. She said the one that had a cracked filling; the tooth might have a crack in it. I had that one pulled (8-27-09)and still have the same amount of pain or more; even went to the ER (8-30-09) thinking it might be a ear infection which it isn’t. No dry socket either. Is it a jaw bone infection? After I had the tooth pulled I was put on clindamycin. I went back to the oral surgeon (8-31-09) because the pain is so bad and he said it is healing nicely and gave me Percocet and said to give it a couple more days. It has been a week since I have had the tooth pulled and the pain is getting worse. I am taking 2 Percocet (325) every 4 hours and that isn’t taking the pain away. Only lasts about 2 hours. I can’t live like this, it is terrible. I don’t know what to do. I don’t think there was anything wrong with the tooth in the first place, I think the pain started when my jaw became infected while the first dentist drilled out my old filling and put in the new one. Not to blame anyone, I just think that is what happened.

Any advice on what I should do, or what is going on?

Ashley, welcome to NeuroTalk. I copied your post over to the Dental forum, too. I thought you might get more responses if it were there also. I hope you can find some relief soon.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum89.html

if you never ran a fever, i would suggest getting your neck checked out..chiro or ortho.....could be radiculapathy

I had intense jaw pain after some dental surgery last year. Still have it. Two things happened. the surgery activated a viral infection. HSV-1 which apparently lives dormant in the nervs in your jaw, the trigeminal nerve. Also having my mouth open that long and so awkward, I burst the disc that is in the jaw joint. I had an MRI and it was plain as day how damaged the joint was. So now I wear a special splint at night to keep from clenching and I use msucle relaxers to calm the jaw muscles and I use ice and heat to try to treat it

The ear pain sounds very similar to what I experienced.

Ask your doc to send you to a TMD (temporal joint derangement) specialist.

KNow that with the right treatment it does heal

In addition to what Shelley mentioned (and thank you so much, Shelley), it also might be a good idea to avoid foods, snacks, etc., that require a lot of chewing or effort - such as some breads, gum, any munching on ice, any food that isn't easily eaten.

For the longest duration I was on a soft food diet - to avoid TMJ surgery to the best of my ability.

Shelley is right; with the proper treatment the pain can dissipate. And, once it does "calm" down, during times of stress, just be mindful not to grit or clench. I know, it's not always easy but it is essential.

A maxillofacial surgeon, neurosurgeon and neurologist, along with a TMJ clinic have treated mine over a number of years. Bottom line is: seeing someone who understands and feeling beneficial results/effects .

I know it hurts really bad after I eat, especially if there is a lot of chewing involved. I just started to realize that. It also hurts real bad if I am talking a lot. I'm going to see my family doctor today to see where he refers me. I will print out these messages for him to read.

I really appreciate the comments I have gotten. Thanks!

hi Ashley
hope the pain is easing

I just wanted to let you know again that your post was also copied to our dental forum where you have replies waiting
here is the link
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread102159.html

Most importantly, you've not ignored the prob. or the pain, which is a sign something isn't right.

For years, I wore a night guard made from a cast; before that, I wore a splint but chewed through the thing.

To this day, when the old, familiar pain of TMJ starts its "thing," I do avoid foods that require chewing, and just do a ton of self-talk or positive reinforcement to get myself through the worst. It does pass... and with good treatment, as well.

Let us know how you feel in a week or so after discussing with your doc, and, possibly, having seen a specialist.

The pain you describe can all be from myofascial trigger points in the muscles of the head and Jaw. contact me if you would like additional information. Look for a qualified Massage or Triggerpoint Therapist in your area.