Freak thing!

I need somewhere to vent and have people that understand! I had a crown put on in Dec. It never felt right, but I was numb and then I was worried I needed a root canal when I started having pain in my jaw plus it was Christmas time...so on Dec. 27 I went in emergency to my dentist with facial spasms and pain in my face!!!! My teeth could not even touch that muscles were so tight. He gave me a mouth gaurd and sent me home. A week later I went back and said I felt the crown was too low and causing my face to be lopsided. Well the spasms were too bad for him to tell what my bite was so he said come back in a month!!! In the mean time I am having anxiety attacks...my family life suffered....stress, stress, stress. I called back and begged him to put some support for my bite, so he built up my top filling(the crown was on lower back tooth) to see if that helped support. Well it did not. He then sent me to orthodontist and said I might need to have teeth moved!!! I had NEVER had any teeth problems before this crown!!!! I went to the orthodontist...he made me a retainer that kept all pressure off my teeth and within on week the spasms were susiding...after almost 4 months!!!!! I went back to the orthodontist yesterday for him to check every thing and he tested my bite and said that back TWO crowns are not making contact with the upper teeth hence the feeling that my bite is too low. So I think I just need to have the new crown removed and replaced with a taller one. I am waiting for a call from my dentist after the orthodontist reports his findings...which I knew 4 months ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am misterable, having anxiety attacks, depression..can't stand to be around people..always have a retainer stuck in my mouth since I can't stand to have my teeth touch..they feel lopsided and pull on my jaw and cause more spasms...thank you for listening. My husband it tired of me!

Post edited by: WhatHasHappened, at: 04/25/2008 10:47

Welcome. I am sooo sorry you are having all these problems right now!! I can certainly understand the pain associated with muscle spasms in your jaw! I went through several dentists before finding one that actually knew what he was doing and helped me. It was an ortodontist that caused my problems in the first place then sent me away telling me nothing was wrong - even with signs of infection and lots of jaw pain. Well, long story short, developed TMJ after this.... I was sooo mad that he didn't follow through and make sure this did not happen!! I am glad you finally found an ortho to figure out your problems! It's crazy when you know something is wrong and no one will listen. I have learned to trust myself and keep looking till I find a doctor that can listen and help.

I now go to a specialist who is wonderful. I have to wear a mouthguard both day and night to keep me from clenching my jaws. My muscles have had spasms enough to pull my right jaw out of place. So, I can understand the pain. I also was having a lot of migraines. The mouth guards have helped. However must be adjusted regularly. If your bite is off that will cause all kinds of problems and pain.

Are you taking any muscle relaxers? Pain meds other than ibuprofen? I had to take something just to get my muscles to relax before the mouth guards would work. I would persist in finding something to ease these muscle spasms. I have had anxiety attacks and depression too. When you are in that much pain it tends to do a lot of crazy things to you. Don't let those doctors put you off. Keep insisting something be done now. You know your body better than anybody. If they don't follow through you may need to find another dentist/specialist. Also, even though not easy when in pain...try to do anything to help you relax those jaws. I put a warm pack on my head, forehead, jaws, etc. and some times this helps. One dentist wanted me to put ice on my jaws for like 15 minutes or so at a time. This didn't help me. It seemed to make it worse after it was no longer numb. But, might help someone else.

Vent anytime! My hubby gets tired of me when I'm in pain and grouchy too!!

I hope you feel better soon!

Red

I just started going to a new dentist and he seems like he is going to help me. First I have to wear the mouth things for a month or so to make sure my muscles are relaxed. I know two crowns on one side are way too low and my gosh, they make my face hurt so much. It twists my bite. I really am so angry with my old dentist. He didn't want to bother with me after he screwed me up!!!! But thank God for the new dentist. Do you think I can sue???? Not that I would, but he should have to suffer like I have for the past 5 months!!! I am sorry to hear about your problem. Sounds like a medical mess to me!!! Thanks for talking with me....it is so lonely when you suffer.