Trigeminal Neuralgia- more than just jaw pain?
 

Three years ago I bit down on something the wrong way and did something to a tooth. It has hurt ever since, with some variation between tooth pain and deeper jaw pain. It hurts when I bite, and sometimes spontaneously. At some point, (I think after the wisdom teeth removal/apicalectomy were done, which would make it six months ago, but honestly it's hard to keep track) hot food started to make it feel better.

I have a tentative diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia, where my cold nerves have started reporting pain instead of cold, but there's no way to know if it was caused by the initial trauma or one of the procedures to fix it (two cavity filling sandings, one cavity replacement, two root canals, wisdom teeth removal, apicalectomy)
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Some time between the second root canal and the wisdom teeth/apicalectomy, I began to get an occasional weird feeling in my nose. The best description I have is that it felt like a mild version of being punched in the nose. In the past 10 months it's ranged in frequency from several times a day to no occurrences for several weeks. I was wondering if anyone else had a similar feeling in conjunction with trigeminal neuralgia.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

Welcome Elizabeth, and I regret to hear you're in such pain. :(

I suffer from Trigeminal Neuralgia myself, however I am also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and TMJ (jaw disorder), so from the neck up I'm a virtual mess! :p

Although your's is also dental related, I'd ask about your pains on the Trigeminal Neuralgia forums on NeuroTalk. I'm quite a newbie, but there are some very knowledgeable folks over there to connect with. :hug:

tooth pain
 

Hi elizabeth,

With regard to your biting down and having your tooth hurt ever since..... that sounds like a fractured tooth. The only cure for a fractured tooth is extraction because there is no way to seal up the fracture or make the tooth whole again. Unlike a fractured bone, teeth do not have the capability of mending back together. Sometimes a root canal is falsely done on these teeth but because the fracture is still present, so is the pain. Then an apicoectomy is falsely done but because the fracture is still present there is still pain. Bacteria begins to multiply at the site of the fracture and this can cause an infection to spread in the jawbone. When this occurs, there is pain or temperature sensitivites in other areas of the mouth commonly called referred pain. Also, this pain can be intemittent or constant.

It is also common for people to develop trigeminal neuralgia or symptoms of it from dental procedures such as root canal therapy, apicoectomies and forceful or incomplete extractions. During an extraction, if the periodontal ligament is not removed and the bony socket is not debrided properly, a cavity of decayed tissue forms in the jawbone at the site of the extraction. This is referred to as NICO, Neuralgia Inducing Cavitational Osteonecrosis. This condition is unfortunately more common than not and is not generally diagnosed by conventional dentists because they have not been taught to recognize it on radiographs unless it is massive in size. This condition will cause the classic symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia.

It sounds from your post that you have had dental procedures that may be contributing to your neuralgia problems. It may be wise to seek a dental consult form someone who is well trained in NICO lesions. The organization IAOMT.org has many dentists who are very familiar with your type of situation. If you go to their website, you may be able to find someone in your local area.

I know this information is not pleasant to hear, but if you do have NICO, it is best to have it treated properly before it spreads. Please keep us posted on how you are doing!

Bryanna ~'.'~

NICO.... that just brought back a lot of memories, because initially I had asked about NICO in 2007 when I found a dental specialist. He was thankfully, in my case, able to rule that one out (and acknowledged it, as some dentists won't even know or recognize it from experience).