can anyone tell me if i have tmj disorder ?

09/25/08

susanne

6 weeks ago i had a tooth taken out and since then i have been in pain when i bite down when i put my teeth together move my jaw from side to side and when i open and close my mouth aslso beneath my ear it is painfull and the ear feels ichey and full and in the night i grind and clench my teeth and have headachs,sometimes when the pain is really bad it feels warm in that area,i went to my dr. he looked in my ear no infection told me to go back to my dentist,had 2 exrays done my teeth are ok and said stress can cause these symptons and if it does not settle down in 3 weeks to go back and he make a gum shield for me when i sleep ,can anyone please help me find a pain killer that will work tried ibuprofen 400mg,paracetamol 500mg,nerofen extra strengh none of them work.

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Answers (2)

Thursday, September 25, 2008

1grnthmb

Did your dentist or doctor check to see if you have an infection where the tooth was pulled out. That would be the first thing that I would think about with your symptoms.

These are the symptoms and tests for TMJ from MedlinePlus:

"Symptoms

Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
Clicking sound while chewing or opening the mouth
Dull, aching pain in the face
Earache
Grating sensation while chewing
Headache
Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
Reduced ability to open or close the mouth

Exams and Tests

TMJ pain and symptoms may need to be checked by more than one medical specialist, such as your primary care provider, a dentist, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, depending on your symptoms. Some dentists specialize in TMJ diagnosis and treatment.

A thorough examination may involve:

A dental examination to show if you have poor bite alignment
An MRI of the jaw area
Feeling the joint and connecting muscles for tenderness
Pressing around the head for areas that are sensitive or painful
Sliding the teeth from side to side
Watching, feeling, and listening to the jaw open and shut
X-rays to show abnormalities

In some cases, the results of the physical exam may appear normal."

I know that before I was diagnosed I could hardly open my mouth and had severe popping and sideways movement of the joint(s) every time I did open my mouth. I could hardly eat because the pain was so bad. You do not mention that you have the popping of the joints or a sidewas movement of the jaw when you open your mouth and these are major symptoms that are used for the diagnoses. It is interesting that what you discribe all could be from you grinding your teeth at night and the result of stress as your dentist suggested.

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Tuesday, April 07, 2009

royswife99

hi after the 4th time going to the dentist and the er i found out i have tmj it hppened right after my toothwas pulled the doctor told me that my jaw was swollen i was on all kinds of pain meds and they just made me sleepy the e doctor said for me to tak aleve

2 tablets every 4 hours this morning myjaw feel alittle better i never had this pain until the pulled my tooth i hope this help write back if you want my e-mail is roysbabygirl1967@yahoo.com