Me again -- wisdom tooth!
 

Hi! Well, I am still having these odd sensations near my wisdom tooth extraction site (upper left side). I am also having feeling of the molar below my last upper left molar (bottom left) like it is a bit achy or loose feeling.

The second tooth from the extraction site is a crowned tooth and that appears sensitive. My anxiety is through the roof on this and I am not sure what to do! It seems when I get anxious, it is worse.

I keep praying I will go a whole day without any "odd" teeth sensations but it appears that is not happening. I have been brushing and flossing my teeth more each day so maybe I am just irritating the heck out of my gums and mouth? I am also mid cycle so maybe hormones are affecting the gums? I am a almost 40 year old female and never had a tooth extracted before and now am sooooo doubting having this done by a dentist. I wish I would have gone to an oral surgeon. Maybe the outcome would have been different.

Any thoughts???

Kris,

The symptoms you are having on various teeth may be associated with clenching and/or grinding your teeth. This could also cause continued sensations in the area of the extraction.

It is unnecessary to brush or floss more than twice, three times maximum per day. You may be irritating your gums which again, would cause the symptoms you are describing.

Hormones definitely affect our gums, so yes, that could also be a contributing factor.

You have not yet stated one thing in any of your posts that would indicate a problem with the healing from the extraction.

I hope you can come to grips with the fact that it is going to take several weeks for the site to heal and that aggressive cleaning is not going to make it heal faster.

Bryanna

So right! I caught myself clenching due to my stress and my dentist has said in the past that my bite is off a bit from grinding.....he can see worn areas. Do you think it would be wise to get fitted now for a nightguard ($500.00) or wait until I am completely healed? Today is a good day! No soreness ANYWHERE!!
Stress is my issue.....I have a lot of it -- mostly self inflicted. Thanks for "putting" up with my posts Bryanna!! You are the best~

Hi Kris,

See that..... I must be clairvoyant ;-)

I think in about 2 weeks you should be good to be fitted for a nightguard. You could actually do it now, but knowing you.... it's probably best to wait a bit more for the site to close completely ;)

I could write a book about self inflicted stress.... so I understand completely. I enjoy your posts.... so keep in touch!

Bryanna

Ahh.,.....you know me already all too well!! :) Yes, I better wait on the mouth guard. Question: Do you suggest a guard made from the dentist or one from a TMJ specialist? I am not saying I have TMJ, but I have been reading (you know me) about this and it seems that some sites suggest a TMJ specialist who does a special guard? I am not sure and just wondering your opinion.

No, stress is not good. I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my forehead in Sept this year and then this wisdom tooth (bad timing) and everything was just spiraling out of control (emotionally) so I think that is why I get myself so worried about this extraction and infection and healing and and and........

Too many "what ifs?"

Thanks~

Kris

I too prefer not to deal with more than one stressful issue at a time. Although, I deal with many simultaneously at work all of the time!! oye.... No wonder I come home and crash .............~~

I think you would be ok with your dentist making you a nightguard. The idea is to reduce the affects from your bruxing habit. So I would start there.

Have a nice weekend.... it's a beautiful sunny day here, hope it is by you too!

Bryanna

It is rainy and cloudy here!! I wish it was sunny......I love the sun.

Question: Do you run into many patients at your office like me or do you and the dentist explain things better? I mean, my dentist is acting like I am over reacting (which I kinda am) but that is because my dentist never explained anything to me. In fact, I was told I could go back to work the next day and not to worry and that is that. I know in the dentist's mind, this tooth fell out after it was loosened and it "appeared" to be a simple extraction but I know how I feel. So....just wondering....thanks!

Kris

Most dental patients are anxious to some degree. Some are scared beyond belief... some question every little thing.... some say they don't want to know anything and others like my husband....take a nap!!!

To the dentist or myself who has experienced your situation with thousands of patients, yes you could say that you are over reacting to what we consider simple. However, from your standpoint, simple means no problem... nada... zilch... so any sensations that you feel <must> mean something is wrong, even though it's normal. I try to prepare our patients ahead of time with as much or as little information as possible... depends on the complexity of the procedure and the patient.

I'd send you some sunshine but it's already getting dark ;)

Have a good night!

Bryanna

Update.....

Bryanna! I am having more good hours than bad....more good days than bad. Anyway, it appears when I wake up in the morning is the best....until about lunchtime. After I eat is when I get a bit of discomfort in my teeth on the extraction site side, event though I do my best to keep the food on the opposite side. It is not a bad soreness but almost like my teeth are a bit achy.....and the one that seems to flair up the worst is a bottom molar that I had a filling in about a year ago. The other tooth that gives me some grief is an upper, not far from extraction site, molar that I had a cap put on several years back. So I am not sure if these two teeth are just more sensitive and are getting the "brunt" of my extraction site/teeth grinding healing process or what! I am going to not floss on that side for a few days to see if that calms things down. I am still doing the salt water rinses and feel ok....no fever, no severe pain, no pus at extraction site, no inflammation -- nothing that I can see. The site is still pretty pink but I can tell it is filling in. It will be 6 weeks on Monday!

Do you suggest I make an appt for tomorrow for the dentist to peek at it or possible take an x-ray or just keep calm and keep quiet and see how things progress for the next couple of days? I would "think" if I had an infection in the bone, I would know by now, is this correct? I just dont want to over look anything. Can an exray tell if there is an infection?

Thanks again!

Kris

Hi Kris,

It sounds like the extraction site is doing well and you have no reason to be concerned.

It is normal for other areas of your mouth to be sensitive or uncomfortable as you have described because... #1 you had surgery in your mouth that required the movement of jawbone and ligaments which share nerves that are connected to other areas of your mouth... #2 you are now chewing/hitting different areas of your existing teeth with the two lower molars missing.... #3 if you are clenching or grinding, since your bite has changed, you are gnawing on some teeth more so than you were before the extractions. Does this make sense to you? It should and perhaps it can relieve some of your concerns about what is normal.

You should definitely keep flossing all of your teeth. Do not stop doing that because it's important to keep your mouth clean. Plaque will build up quickly and cause unnecessary inflammation. So keep flossing!

I really don't see the need to visit your dentist, but of course that is up to you.

Bryanna







=KrisPPP;830558]Update.....

Bryanna! I am having more good hours than bad....more good days than bad. Anyway, it appears when I wake up in the morning is the best....until about lunchtime. After I eat is when I get a bit of discomfort in my teeth on the extraction site side, event though I do my best to keep the food on the opposite side. It is not a bad soreness but almost like my teeth are a bit achy.....and the one that seems to flair up the worst is a bottom molar that I had a filling in about a year ago. The other tooth that gives me some grief is an upper, not far from extraction site, molar that I had a cap put on several years back. So I am not sure if these two teeth are just more sensitive and are getting the "brunt" of my extraction site/teeth grinding healing process or what! I am going to not floss on that side for a few days to see if that calms things down. I am still doing the salt water rinses and feel ok....no fever, no severe pain, no pus at extraction site, no inflammation -- nothing that I can see. The site is still pretty pink but I can tell it is filling in. It will be 6 weeks on Monday!

Do you suggest I make an appt for tomorrow for the dentist to peek at it or possible take an x-ray or just keep calm and keep quiet and see how things progress for the next couple of days? I would "think" if I had an infection in the bone, I would know by now, is this correct? I just dont want to over look anything. Can an exray tell if there is an infection?

Thanks again!

Kris[/QUOTE]

Hi Bryanna,

Well, I went back to the dentist. This is a different dentist that did the extraction but one that I have seen many times over the last 10 years before insurance had me change. Now I just pay out of pocket to see him. Anyway, he seems a bit irritated with me since I was just there last week, but took a good look and did a thorough oral exam and said I am MAJORLY grinding or clenching my teeth and he can easily tell that and that may be part of my issue. He also said the extraction site looked good but he did see a lot of bacteria on the molar right in front of the site and said I need not be afraid to really brush that molar and keep it ultra clean. He said I do not have a jaw bone or any other infection. He suggested coming back next week for bite wings since it is time and I may have a small cavity or two but nothing major. He advised me to go to the store and get a mouth guard and see if that helped and if so, then his office could have one made for me in a few months after the store one needed to be replaced.

Can he tell I dont have an infection without an exray? This tooth was a simple extraction -- straight pull, not surgery. That is why I am so upset that we are going on SIX weeks!! My anxiety is going to kill me!

Kris,

I just realized that I got you confused with Nicole..... you guys have similar concerns ..... sorry !!

First just to clarify... even simple extractions are surgery and the procedure to remove the tooth can temporarily cause discomfort in other areas of the mouth. Secondly, grinding your teeth will cause pain or achiness in different teeth at different times. So a this point the surgical site may be doing really well but you are associating any other discomfort with the extraction.

A store bought mouth guard is not the same thing as a night guard. It does not fit your teeth the same way that the one made in a dental lab will. I personally do not recommend the store bought ones for that reason.

The bacteria on the molar needs to be removed daily with your toothbrush or it will irritate that whole area. Somethings you could try is a soft, small head child's size tooth brush... and "soft picks" by butler both of which can be bought at the supermarket or drug store.

Your symptoms do not indicate an infection at the extraction site. A periapical xray may or may not be helpful at this time. Bitewing xrays are done to see in between the molars when checking for cavities.

I think if you clean more effectively in that area and have a nightguard made.... and wear it.... you may notice some improvement.

Bryanna

Is it odd that the mint toothpaste irritates the site after giving the molar in front of it a good brushing, as instructed by you and dentist? I mean, 6 weeks......and still sore and irritated when it encounters something like that? My husband thinks maybe I was over doing the salt water rinses and did more harm than good? Your thoughts? He thinks I didnt give it a change to really heal up on its own.....that I was always rinsing. I rinsed after I ate. I didnt think that was too much but maybe I had too much salt? Also, what kind of x-ray are you referring to? I am going to go in on Monday or Tuesday and ask for that and to be "fitted" for a night guard from their office. Thanks Bryanna!!!!!!

Kris,

The salt water rinsing cannot hurt and it actually helps promote healing. However, it is unnecessary to use more than a pinch of salt or rinse more than 3-4 times a day... any more than that may cause irritation. I believe I've mentioned this before.

It is important to brush all of your teeth, including the one next to the extraction. However, it is unnecessary to brush any areas aggressively... thoroughly with a soft toothbrush is best. Use a small head to get into the spaces that you are afraid to use the big brush in. If the mint toothpaste irritates the tissue, stop using it and switch to an herbal toothpaste without mint. OR don't use toothpaste at all.... just wet your toothbrush and thoroughly brush your teeth.

None of what you have described indicates an infection. It does sound like you may have been overdoing whatever it is that you are doing and at the same time if you weren't brushing that molar every day then the build up of plaque caused an irritation. Don't stop cleaning or rinsing... just try to tone down the obsessiveness.

The xray that I spoke about is called a periapical xray.

Bryanna

Thank you!! I will get some herbal toothpaste....we have a nice health food store in town.

Can grinding cause the gum behind the BOTTOM molar pain? I am experiencing that today. The upper extraction site seems "ok" -- just was mildly annoyed by the toothpaste, but the gum behind the BOTTOM last molar seems sore today! UGH....it is like the soreness is jumping around!

Yes, it can be from the grinding or aggressive brushing or something you ate may have scratched that gum area.

I think you also may have become hyper sensitive to every feeling in your mouth since this extraction. This can occur when a patient obsesses about the procedure or continually imagines the worst is happening.

Hopefully you will start to believe that you really are doing well from this extraction and can calm down soon......:)

Bryanna

Thanks for your reassurance, Bryanna. I am just so worried that this dentist is missing something and then I read about "phantom" dental pain and my anxiety is THROUGH the roof. I just keep hoping each day, the soreness will be gone and it is when I wake up and then within a few hours, I get some sort of odd sensations or soreness on that side of the mouth.

I think I am going to have to have the dentist do the x-ray next week since I am driving myself crazy over this. He assures me it looks fine but WHY is it still so pink and open? It clearly needs more time to heal and I have no idea why this is taking so long??? Honestly, when I read any wisdom tooth extraction board, they always say they are pain free within 2-3 weeks max. I never see my issue.....why is this? Is my situation really that uncommon? Do you see this in your practice often? Thanks Bryanna....I know I am driving you crazy -- think of what I am doing to my poor husband??? :) He is begging me to just take Tylenol so I dont feel ANYTHING!!! I am pretty sensitive to meds and pain...obviously!

Kris,

Yes, I see this exact situation every day in my practice and it's very typical for people who have sjogren's syndrome to take longer to heal because of the dry mouth issue. The saliva actually bathes and soothes open wounds in the mouth. The lack of saliva prevents that constant bathing which makes the healing process take longer. I have patients with this condition who have open surgical wounds for several weeks...normal for them.

Does this info help a little .......?
Bryanna

I wonder if I have that syndrome? Would I know?

I guess either way, I am taking longer to heal and I just need to deal with it. I just found a "sore" on my gum...inbetween my cheek and gum on the lower left side, thus the soreness at that tooth. I guess that explains that. My son came home with a note on HAND FOOT and MOUTH virus going around school -- my luck, I have that now!!

I pray 2012 is better!!!!

You are a wonderful person Bryanna! Thank you!

Kris,

I did it again.... I mixed you up with Nicole re the sjogren's disease..... she said she has that. Anyway, my point is that everyone heals at a different rate and it depends on so many factors.

The sore on the gum on the lower left.... is it a canker sore or a herpes ulcer? Do you get those occasionally? Don't jump to conclusions that you now have hand, foot and mouth virus. Having one sore doesn't apply to that condition.

I suggest to use vitamin E oil, aloe vera gel or l-lysine ointment on that sore a few times a day. It helps to soothe the sore sensation and heals it faster.

Bryanna

Hi!

I do get canker sores here and there and that is kinda what it looks like so I think that is where it is. I agree, I dont think it is H,F and Mouth. I just have the one sore so far.....Thanks for the advise in the treatments! Will have to look into that. I do have a pill of L-Lysine.....would that help?

My last molar in front of the extraction site is hard to keep clean due to the extraction site butts right up to the back of it. My wisdom tooth was in on an angle but right next to that tooth!! UGH!! I have been brushing without paste but the only floss I have is mint...I will need to get some new floss tonight since I think I need to get behind that last tooth better....I can see some white behind there but not sure if that is tissue or some sort of buildup??

My anxiety is bad today but overall doing better....the tooth site has not been too sore today....maybe all the soreness is going to the canker sore site and I am obsessing on that! LOL!! It really isnt funny....I mean, I really am struggling with this. I did notice that the site does look a bit more filled in...the pink part is not so pink. So this is EXCELLENT news!!

Kris,

The l-lysine tabs will help in preventing more outbreaks but the ointment will help more directly since you already have the sore.

The second molar is difficult to clean on the distal side (area next to the extraction). I think if you use some unflavored floss, or floss picks, or soft picks you will be able to get back there better.

Glad to hear that the site is filling in... that's great!

Bryanna

Hi~ Ok, the dentist wants to do the bitewings as part of a reg check up and then I will also have him do the other x-ray of the extraction site. Question: Is it ok to do the bitewings when I have this semi open extraction site? The site is off to the side a bit since the tooth was coming in sideways. I just dont want to risk infection and am unsure what to do.

Your thoughts? I am having some mild discomfort in the area today on/off....mainly after eating an orange even though I tried to keep it to one side. UGH!! It is getting better though.

Another question: Can I be pretty confident that if this was infected that the DENTIST would be able to see some sort of indication or I would be in a lot of pain or fever?

Kris,

Bite-wing xrays will be ok.... won't disturb anything.

If the site is open at all.... then an orange or something hot or spicy could make it hurt a little because it is a "wound". Just like mint....

A periapical xray may or may not show miniscule signs of an infection. If there was a full blown infection, you would have constant pain, most likely some swelling, possibly a fever.... and that would show up on an xray.

Let us know how the visit goes...
Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna....with bitewings....do they do two on each side? I am so afraid of getting the site infected but I guess this isnt much different than sticking a toothbrush in my mouth and the site should be healed enough,right? I mean, it is still healing and part is pink and "open" looking but this heals from the inside out,correct? So a lot of the skin should be in to protect since it has been six weeks.

Yes, I definitely will let you know how the visit goes!! I think he suspects a small cavity in a molar close to the site so wants the bitewings. I hope this is going to be ok!! I am not sure he will do the other x-ray. I really think he sees it unnecessary but what do you think? I mean, will it give me piece of mind? If there is a small infection that doesnt show on the x-ray, then what? Will my body just fight that? I feel fine right now, no soreness and I just ate....but not anything spicy or anything.

Thanks soooooo much for your emotional support with all of this!!!

Kris

Kris,

To take bitewing xrays, the holder goes inside the mouth and doesn't touch the cheek side. You will be fine. The gum tissue at the extraction site will heal closed before the bone fills in. The clot forms first, the collagen layers form to aid in the healing process, the gum tissue closes and the bone heals slowly for about a year.

The periapical xray may not show much of anything at this point.... unless there is a big infection. You do not have symptoms of ANY infection.

Bryanna

Thanks for the info! I could not remember how they did the bite wings -- even though I am sure I had some done a year or so ago....I do go in ever 6 months for a cleaning and then they do x-rays sometimes.....anyway, I guess I will see what the dentist wants and then again, he will check the extraction site and give me his insight.

Talk to you tomorrow~

Ok....so had the bite wings done and the other to look at Wisdom extraction site area. The site looks fine, he said, with no sign of infection. He did see a small cavity though in the tooth directly in front of the extraction site.

Question: He didnt "push" did get it filled "today" but said to call in a couple of weeks. Do you think drilling and filling by that extraction site when it is "open" is ok?

I am still on/off soreness today at the site and told him that but he doesnt really say too much. I get so anxious when I am there that I am scared to even talk due to anxiety. Anyway, so overall....besides the small cavity, it went ok.

Question: With an upper molar cavity, could I request the "novacaine" without epi? I am already anxious enough and I hate that stuff in there!!

Your thoughts?

Thanks~

Kris

Kris,

Great news! I hope you feel more confident that you really are healing ok!

If this were me, I would wait a couple of weeks or a bit longer if necessary to get the filling done. It is best that the hole close over if possible.

With regard to the local anesthetic.... you can definitely get anesthetic without epinephrine for most dental procedures. If you supplement with a B complex about 1-2 hours prior to your dental procedure, not only will you feel calmer but the numbness from the anesthetic may also be more profound.

Bryanna

Bryanna,

Thank you for the info. I am going to wait on the small cavity for several weeks.

I have another issue. I have been getting some pressure behind my eye and cheek on that side of my face....where the tooth was extracted. I went to the MD two days ago and my temp and blood pressure are fine and they dont think I have a sinus infection. When I do the Neti Pot it does seem to help but I am SO freaked out about an infection. I asked the MD to do a CT scan of my sinus area/head, and she said it wasnt necessary. She thinks it may still be a bit swollen on that side of my head (even though doesnt look like it from outside) due to the wisdom tooth removal. She said I am healing. She looked at the site too and said it looks beautiful. When I do swallow, I have clicking in that left ear or popping or something. I just dont want them to be missing something. I would think the dental x-ray and numerous dental visits, 4 since this tooth out, along with a couple of MD appointments would ensure I am ok but I HATE when I feel weird. The MD thinks it is stress and that I should try and relax and maybe take Paxil but I dont want to add anything to the mix here. I can see the site is filling in pretty good now and it is still a bit pink, but that is getting smaller and smaller. I read an article in Yahoo about a couple of recent Wisdom Tooth extraction deaths from the surgery -- during it, and I think that is freaking me out! Anyway, it will be seven weeks on Monday and while the site is not even really sore anymore, more of a strange sensation (that I can deal with) on/off, the pressure in behind my eye and into my cheek makes me nervous. Any advice???? I should be paying you for your wisdom!! Thanks, Kris

Bryanna~ Ok....I really need your help tonight! I came home from work and used the dental mirror to check the wisdom tooth extraction site, and there is some what tissue looking stuff in the site. I am not sure if it is tissue, food or WHAT? I check the site this morning after I ate and it was fine...not white. I ate some broccoli with cheese sauce this afternoon and not sure if that is what this is? The cheese part? I dont see any green broccoli. Should I leave this or try to remove this from the site? I am VERY concerned!! My dentist is gone today and I am not sure what to do. I have rinsed twice and it is still there.....

Any advice!!

Kris

Kris,

Don't try to pick it out. It is probably some food debris... which would show up as white after it's been in the mouth for awhile. Example, plaque which is an accumulation of food debris is..... white.

Rinse with the warm salt water using a drawing motion as to draw something out of that hole. Do not over do this! If it comes out after a couple of tries, fine, if it doesn't don't worry about it. A little food debris is not going to interfere with the healing at this stage.

It could also be some blanched tissue.... again this would be normal and will resolve on it's own.


Bryanna

Thanks again,Bryanna I am obviously having a hard time with all of this and just do not understand why I am going through this and why it is taking so long and all of that. It is almost as if my body is actually "feeling" the healing process. I am just so anxious lately and this is just making matters worse. I just don't understand why my body is healing so slowly. I just dont. And why I have these odd sensations at the extraction site and into my head. I am not sure if they are related or not. All is very frustrating....

Kris,

Are you still grinding your teeth? That alone can cause all sorts of weird pain and sensations in the head, face, teeth..... I know because I grind my teeth!! Bruxing also causes fatigue in various muscles and irritates the (periodontal) ligaments that hold our teeth in the bone. These ligaments become inflamed and get achy. If you think about that occurring continuously, then it makes sense that any trauma that occurs is going to take longer to heal.

Otherwise.... you are healing really well ;)
Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

I am not sure if I am grinding/clenching. I do catch myself clenching during the day but I am not sure what is going on at night. I am just so frustrated. Today, I am having a better day, but still have strange sensations in my mouth. I guess this is just going to be the way it is until it all heals. The site looks so good -- overall. I mean, there is still a pink "hole" but it is filled in pretty good and getting better looking. I am just afraid this is never going to heal or something. I read about these Phantom pains and issues with that Trig nerve. I guess I am not having pain but strange sensations. My husband is really getting annoyed and I cant blame him! This is really getting to be a pain in the rear for all of us. I just want to wake up one day and feel "normal" -- whatever that is.

Thanks for the ear.....I need to figure that teeth grinding issue out asap.

Kris,

You're not a pain in the butt, really, you're not.
You have improvement every single day... that means it's going to be ok.

Have a nice sunday.... hope it's sunny by you :)
Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna! I guess I am going to get my rear into the dentist this week for that mouthguard. Again, he says he can tell I am clenching or grinding a lot but my husband doesnt hear it and I am not aware of it. I am aware of clenching though....I catch that once in awhile. Maybe all of this is from clenching. I do notice that the last tooth-- or the tooth in front of the extraction site has drifted back a bit. Maybe this is causing discomfort? The only reason I know this, is that when I floss between the two last teeth....there use to be a lot of tightness and it was hard to floss, now it is not. So....there are probably a lot of little things going on and I am obsessing on this tooth. The site looks really good today....just a little indentation really.....the "worst" is right next to that back molar so I am wondering if that tissue is just irritated.

Anyway, it is Sunday and Sunny and I live in Wisconsin so....Go Packers!!!!!!

Thanks!

Kris

Hi Bryanna~

Just an update that my "site" is really filling in nicely -- still pink and all but really filled in and more of an indention than a hole. I am not sure if that indention ever goes away?

Anyway, I do have on/off sinus pressure and ear pressure on that side along with some "fullness" feeling in that upper back jaw. I really cant explain it. I am not in pain and dont need pain killers....just odd sensation and I do have that ear fullness on/off....seems to be relieved when I eat or chew. Do you think this could all be from the healing process? I went to ENT and he said no sinus infection but he was in/out so quick, I really didnt get a chance to ask him anything more....also, my anxiety gets the best of me in front of MDs. So.....any reassurance? Does this sound like it could be that Trig Neuralgia or am I just stressing out? I am under a lot of stress so maybe TMJ or just stress? Any advice is appreciated!! I just dont feel 100 percent yet and it has been 8 weeks......could the nerves in the upper jaw just still be settling down and my clenching is just aggravating the situation?

Thanks~

Kris

Hi Kris,

Sounds like the site is healing fine. The indentation will get smaller over time.

The sinus and ear pressure could be on/off inflammation in either your sinuses from normal congestion or within the musculature area near the TMJ. Anytime we clench or grind our teeth we aggravate these muscles and the feeling of pressure or fullness is a typical symptom of that. Many times people are treated for sinus problems when it's really their TMJ being aggravated by their bruxing habit. If there is no bacterial pathology in your sinuses, then it's probably related to the jaw muscles.

You do not have symptoms of neuralgia. Please let that thought go. :)

You really are doing well.

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna....I am just frustrated since even though I am not in pain per se....I am still having pressure in that upper left side where the tooth was removed. UGH. It is just frustrating and I am just praying it will go away one of these years. I guess I am just a slow healer.

The actual site is doing well...pink and filling in....so why the pressure? It really must be TMJ or clenching/grinding. I need to get that guard made from the dentist asap!!!

Oh...one last detail, my bite does feel off! It seems that my one side of teeth are touching before the other. I think the tooth being pulled put my bite off and the clenching just adds insult to injury. Would this make sense?