Teeth moving after extraction??
 

Bryanna,

I feel like my front teeth are off a bit - -can this be from the wisdom tooth on the upper left being extracted? Thank GOD it is not pain, just an odd feeling of "looseness" or something and I can tell that where my two front teeth use to be a bit overlapped, not major, they are now pretty straight. The wisdom tooth that was removed was coming in crooked yet was pressed up against the molar in front of it. Could -- after 8 weeks, the teeth still be shifting a bit. I am assuming since I clench or grind at night (I guess) that this may make it worse?

Thanks!

Kris

Kris,

All of this is normal. If your wisdom tooth was pressing against your second molar, then once that pressure was gone, the teeth would shift slightly and some teeth may appear to be further apart, some may appear to be closer together. This does not mean that they are going to move all over the place because as the bone fills in at the extraction site, the teeth will stop moving... all normal.

Your bruxing habit is a problem and THAT is most likely what is giving you all sorts of weird sensations. Please move forward on having the appliance made.

Bryanna

Bryanna, Today about 2o mins after waking up my back molars, one on each side started to ache for about 3 hours. I took two Tylenol but they still felt odd...not painful but dull throbbing. I am really getting worried about so sort of neuralgia, do you think I should be? I am going to the dentist Tuesday. Right now, I am ok...no pain or anything and the extraction site seems good now but I seem to have "pain" or ache in different teeth at different times. Also, this morning, my left TMJ was clicking every time I opened my mouth. That lasted for about an hour.

Help!!!

Kris,

All of the symptoms that you have written in this post indicate... a bruxing habit. Make sure you explain this event to your dentist on tuesday.

Also, ask your dentist to show you the areas in your mouth that indicate you are grinding or clenching your teeth. I also suggest you write those areas down and his description of what he sees. I think this visual will help you a lot!

Bryanna

Bryanna,

Thank you. Is there anything temporary the dentist can give me until the guard is made? I am so frustrated. Now, I ate some yogurt and the extraction site feels sore a bit. Nothing major but just this is neverending!!

I know you sent me the link on TN-Neuralgia but how can someone be sure? Can the dentist tell me? I mean, I do have discomfort that does seem to move around my mouth. How does someone know if Bruxism or something more serious?

Kris,

Pain or discomfort that "moves around your mouth" is typically not infection related unless you have periodontal disease. Otherwise, it is typically the result of a bruxing habit and/or uneven bite due to bruxing and/or worn down restorations.

Your dentist can do a clinical and radiographic examination including the measurements of your pocket depths, you can describe your discomfort and where you are having it, and then discuss his findings and your treatment options with him. Hopefully his examination will be thorough enough for you to realize why you have these symptoms and the remedy to care of it will be relatively easy... :)

Make sure you have all your ducks in a row before you go to your appointment.... write down all the things you want to talk to him about and make sure you cover all of it. If your next appt has been scheduled to do that one filling, perhaps it would behoove you to put off that filling, do the above exam and discussion and go back for the filling. He can still take the impression for the nightguard now and then when you go back for the filling, he can deliver that appliance.

So that's my suggestion.... think about it.

Bryanna

This sounds like a good plan. Do you think this may be TMJ/TMD? When I push on the joints, both sides, and open my mouth up -- there is some discomfort/pain in the joints. I read to do this to test for TMJ. Anyway, I have pressure in my ear and a bit behind my eye today. The extraction site feels a bit odd....pressure feeling and all the other teeth feel fine today. I am just so lost and pray every day that I wake up without this discomfort. I really wish this would go away. But....the reason I had the wisdom tooth out was due to pressure in the tooth area and in front of ear and in cheek so maybe this really has nothing to do with the darn tooth and something else, the grinding, is the culprit???

Kris,

TMJ, TMD basically pertains to the same area of the jaw. The term is used differently depending on the diagnosis.

The tooth most likely was creating an unnatural pressure within the TMJ area. So that pressure would have continued if the tooth were still present. Since your dentist had previously told you that he saw signs of you grinding your teeth, then you were most likely grinding prior to removing this tooth. So there was probably a combination of issues going on at the same time. Does that sound reasonable to you?

Bryanna

It does make sense but I am just wondering if getting the tooth out made the situation worse. I mean, the dentist didnt think it was TMJ but was so sure the tooth and now tooth is out and I am still having issues...even more so. So where do we go from here? Can the dentist help or do I need to go to TMJ specialist or is the tooth not healing right or are my teeth just moving, ect, ect ect. I just feel so scared they are going to tell me this is permanent and I just HATE this feeling in my mouth! IT scares the heck outta me!

Kris,

The first step, go to your dentist and explain your concerns. He can tell you if your extraction site has healed.... if your teeth are shifting... if you have more wear on your teeth from grinding. Tell him what you have been experiencing. Let him explain the healing of the surgical site... why the teeth are moving... and show you the wear on your teeth from grinding.

People who are habitual grinders, tend to continue to grind their teeth unless they can figure out what is causing them to do it and correct it. Wearing a night guard can protect your teeth from wearing down from the grinding as well as reduce or eliminate the various discomfort.

Generally, people who have been grinding their teeth for a long time, end up with some degree of TMJ discomfort because the joint becomes worn. This is not repairable, but it is manageable.

Before you jump to any conclusions.... please speak to your dentist and discuss your concerns with him.

Bryanna

Update....

Ok, I went to a neuro muscular dentist, new one for me, and he did a check of the extraction site and said it lookef absolutely fine. He did push on it...which I didnt like. It didnt hurt but I wasnt expecting him to do that and not sure why he did. Anyway, he said no infection all fine. THEN he did the Myofacial Pain Dysfunction or whatever "test" and boy, do I have some pain when he did the manual tests. There are more tests to be done but he thinks I will need a lower splint and possibly braces. My bite is off and he showed me how if I made my bite right, it would feel better....and it did. He did say he didnt see a lot of wearing on my teeth but more signs of clenching. He said that clenching isnt good, as we know, and that this issue needs to be addressed. So......now I have another issue? I mean, I am glad that the extraction site is healing and all but wow.....I dont TMJ or Myofacial problems either. Any thoughts????

I go back next week for more testing on a computer and such??? And then the device is made and I need to wear it all the time for 90 days or so.

Good grief!!

Hi Kris,

Ok, so the dentist pressed on the extraction site to get a feel for how the bone was filling in and to make sure the site didn't feel mushy. Obviously, it felt fine and so that is one less thing for you to be concerned about.

Did this dentist take xrays of any kind?

Your TMJ problem may not be as severe as you're thinking. Anytime you have a chronic bruxing or clenching habit, you are going to test positive to the testing for pain because the muscle and ligaments are overworked from the habit and they will be sore. So that pain that you felt does not necessarily indicate the severity of the problem.

Before you undergo his recommended treatment, get a second opinion if possible. When it comes to Orthodontia, it is not a one size fits all treatment and it needs to be tailored to the individual patient. I would also get 2-3 opinions on ortho too when the time comes. I know this sounds like alot, but the treatment options can vary a lot and it's a long commitment from you.

Bryanna




QUOTE=KrisPPP;840262]Update....

Ok, I went to a neuro muscular dentist, new one for me, and he did a check of the extraction site and said it lookef absolutely fine. He did push on it...which I didnt like. It didnt hurt but I wasnt expecting him to do that and not sure why he did. Anyway, he said no infection all fine. THEN he did the Myofacial Pain Dysfunction or whatever "test" and boy, do I have some pain when he did the manual tests. There are more tests to be done but he thinks I will need a lower splint and possibly braces. My bite is off and he showed me how if I made my bite right, it would feel better....and it did. He did say he didnt see a lot of wearing on my teeth but more signs of clenching. He said that clenching isnt good, as we know, and that this issue needs to be addressed. So......now I have another issue? I mean, I am glad that the extraction site is healing and all but wow.....I dont TMJ or Myofacial problems either. Any thoughts????

I go back next week for more testing on a computer and such??? And then the device is made and I need to wear it all the time for 90 days or so.

Good grief!![/QUOTE]

Bryanna,

Who can I trust? One dentist tells me severe grinding the other tells me he doesnt see signs of that but does think I am clenching since I have some small "notches" on the top part of my gums and small cracks in my front teeth. One dentist tells me --nope, not TMJ and this one says....wow, you have something going on, let's do more testing and then bottom appliance and then most likely braces. UGH! I do know "something" is going on with my mouth, but the discomfort is minimal these days. I have more tension in my neck and pressure in my left ear than anything. I guess that can be clenching/TMJ related though. It is all so confusing to me. I feel like I dont trust ANY of these dentists. I know you are in the field, so I dont mean any disrespect but just feel so lost!!! Plus, this is all costing a small fortune. Can "sore" TMJ joints resolve themselves with rest and hot/cold compresses? He said my bite is an overbite, small, and needs to be fixed. My bite has always been this way. Do you think maybe since the tooth is gone and shifting is taking place, that that is causing my mouth to be sore due to trying to find a new bite? Again, my pain is much better....it was more pressure really than pain. I am wondering if this is just all stress.......good grief!

Bryanna, Any thoughts? Can this ear pressure in my left ear be TMJ or related to the extraction? The pressure was there before the tooth was pulled -- along with some cheek/sinus pressure but the dentist thought it was the wisdom tooth so it was pulled.
Can TMJ be resolved with rest of jaw and the night guard? Maybe I should stick with these conservative measures first??? I was thinking maybe another ENT to just check my ear to see if maybe an eustachian tube issue? Your thoughts???

Thanks~

Kris

Kris,

Your statement... <<Can "sore" TMJ joints resolve themselves with rest and hot/cold compresses? >>>
No, not if you have a chronic, ongoing grinding or clenching habit.

<<I have more tension in my neck and pressure in my left ear than anything. I guess that can be clenching/TMJ related though. >>
Yes, it absolutely can.

<<He said my bite is an overbite, small, and needs to be fixed. My bite has always been this way.>>
If you have any wear on your teeth and/or recession along the gum line (notches) then you have a chronic habit of some sort. So the "it's always been this way" only means that you didn't know about the progression of your habit.

<< Do you think maybe since the tooth is gone and shifting is taking place, that that is causing my mouth to be sore due to trying to find a new bite? >>
Were you using this wisdom tooth to chew with or was it crooked and not inline with your actual bite? If you are noticing only slight changes with your teeth shifting, then that is very normal and should not be significant enough to alter your bite.

Bryanna

Kris,

<< Can this ear pressure in my left ear be TMJ or related to the extraction>>
Both ... either/or.

<<The pressure was there before the tooth was pulled -- along with some cheek/sinus pressure but the dentist thought it was the wisdom tooth so it was pulled. >>
Indicative of a chronic grinding and/or clenching habit. Removing the crooked wisdom tooth resolved some of the pressure.... as you have stated many times that the pressure is very slight... more uncomfortable/annoying than anything else.

<<Can TMJ be resolved with rest of jaw>>
Sometimes, yes it can... but only if you don't have a chronic habit of grinding or clenching your teeth.
<<and the night guard?>>
Will help reduce the wear and recession on the teeth and give the TMJ joints a rest during episodes of grinding or clenching.

<<Maybe I should stick with these conservative measures first???>>
You could try a night guard for a few weeks and see if that helps.

<< I was thinking maybe another ENT to just check my ear to see if maybe an eustachian tube issue?>>
If you think you need to have the eustachian tube checked, then do that.

Bryanna

Bryanna,

I am miserable. I do not know who or WHERE to turn. The neuro muscular dentist says TMJ, get bottom splint, then caps or braces. When I read about TMJ, I read NOT to do anything that will irreversably alter your bite. UGH! I am so upset. I have pressure in my left ear -- on/off and sometimes a burning behind my left eye. I keep thinking sinus or allergy and maybe not TMJ? I am still worried about a jawbone infection from this stupid upper left wisdom tooth extraction. All day long, I am so careful NOT to clench my teeth. I have even been eating softer foods. At night, I am sleeping on back, versus side or tummy since I read to do that -- if TMJ. I just dont know what to do. I am so tired of having PRESSURE in this left side of my face! ENT says no sinus infection and I keep saying I need to get a second opinion but there are only so many hours in a day and I have kids and a job! UGH! I also still need to get that damn cavity fixed but am just afraid of everything right now -- medical or dental. Today, I need some neck stretches and net pot and steam and my nose seemed to clear up and pressure gone. But within a few hours....BOOM, back again!

So...sinus? Allergies? TMJ, Cavity? Jaw bone infection? Healing? This is really been a long road.....

dry socket ???
 

I think I have dry socket ... I have white stuff on my gums and there's a hole with white pieces ...I slept with my gall in and I think I actually pulled the blood clot out when I took the gall out the next day ...it don't hurt right now bt it tingle in my jaw and the tooth socket is sore on the outside

Yonna,

It looks like there may be some pieces of the tooth still in the area of the oral surgery. I think you should make an appointment to see your dentist.

Bryanna

Your talkin.about the one in the back right and not the one closer to.the front .. I kno the one closer to.the front still have a tooth in.it cuz I broke it today bt I'm talkin about the one in the back ?? I was reading other websites and they said they see the bone ..and I thought tht was the bone tht I was lookin at ...Idk I jus don't want to.have.dry socket ..I heard a lot of bad things about it and thank u.for responding :-)

Yonna,

No, I am referring to the area way in the back on your left side.... which is on the right side in the photo. I can see that you had some oral surgery there, but it looks like there may still be some pieces of the tooth in the socket.

I think you should see your dentist to evaluate that area.

Bryanna

fast moving tooth
 

I had a top back molar taken out 4 days ago and within 2 or 3 days I noticed the( impacted) wisdom tooth is already shifting an poking through the gums. Could that tooth have already been erupted thru the gums underneath the tooth that I had pulled or did it just shift that fast?

Hi lonestar,

If the wisdom tooth was sharing a part of the bone with the second molar then yes the wisdom tooth will move into that space that it shared with the other molar. Sometimes the two teeth are so close together in the bone that there is no bone between them which would allow the wisdom tooth to come down more easily .... so that could also be possibility. This tooth may be a smaller tooth than your second molar as sometimes wisdom teeth are.

This tooth may or may not come down completely or it may continue to come in even after the surgical site has healed.

This is a watch and see what happens thing. At your next checkup appointment ask them to take an xray of that area to see where the tooth is.

Hope this info helps!
Bryanna

Hi there, sorry for digging up this old topic but I was wondering if you can help me.

I had a right bottom molar extracted 3 days ago, and I now seem to have an uneven bite. That side of my mouth hurts whenever I try to close my teeth together. Not excruciating pain, just some discomfort and feeling of pressure. The problem is more when I'm chewing on the left side and accidentaly bite down a bit harder and make those teeth on the right side clench together. Then the pain makes me jump, and it stays sore for quite a while after that. I'm only having soft foods like pasta, nothing very chewy.

The thing that helps the most with the pain seems to be cold water. I know I'm supposed to do warm salt water rinses but those cause pain, and cold water soothes it. Is it bad to use cold water?

I'm just worried cause I'm going on holiday to another country tomorrow and what if something happens while I'm there??

Thank you for reading

Hi Blackberry,

A tooth extraction is a surgical procedure. Various degrees of pain, soreness, swelling and even discomfort when chewing is normal and expected to happen for the first several days post op. The jaw bone has been opened up to remove the tooth which causes widespread nerve stimulation and inflammation along the jaw line. When a lower molar is removed, there is a lot of manipulation to the jaw during the extraction procedure. This manipulation can cause inflammation to occur in the temporomandibular joint (the TMJ) located near each ear where the upper and lower jaw come together. This inflammation can cause discomfort to occur in the actual joint and/or can cause your bite to be off. When the inflammation calms down, the discomfort goes away. However, it is best to give the TMJ a rest for the first week or two post op to allow it to calm down. This is why a soft food diet is recommended. If you overuse the jaw while eating during the first 2 weeks of post op, then the muscle surrounding the joint may spasm which can exacerbate the problem.

Cold water rinses are not recommended because it does not allow the salt to penetrate the tissue as easily as warm water. Perhaps you were using water that was hot or too warm?

If you feel that you are having a complication from the extraction, it is best to see the dentist to rule out infection before you go on your holiday.

Bryanna