Expert: Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired - 12/21/2009

Question
QUESTION: I had 9 crowns and a replacement bridge done followed by 3 implants.  The crowns were done at the same time and I have been in pain since the treatment started. I have now had 3 root canals done on 3 of my newly crowned teeth! The teeth for the implants will not be fitted until end of February.  I have had jaw ache as well and now I am having more tooth ache on untreated teeth!  Is it possible my mouth has gone into trauma with all this work being done?  My dentist had been wonderful but he can't understand why I am having this problem either. The X rays show nothing wrong. I am living on pain killers which are also not having much effect now.  I am at my wits end and wish I never had all this treatment done at the same time.

ANSWER: Marianne - I really feel for you.  It is a little difficult for me to tell you what is going on.  You say that you are having pain, but you don't say where the pain is.  If you could, please tell me where exactly you have the pain.  For instance, do you have headaches in the temple region,  if you push over your cheek is it sore, do you have problems opening or closing your mouth or if you touch the teeth they hurt.  So if you can give me more specific symptoms, I might be able to better help you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for reply.  I have had pain in every tooth but not all at the same time. I have had chronic toothache since Friday on my upper teeth on one side that I have had no treatment done!  Yes I have had headaches and even earache but not too much pain if I touch my cheek or teeth. I have no pain on opening my mouth, but I do feel I want to clench my teeth all the time.   I have tried myself to tap the teeth to find out which one is the culprit but to no avail. The crowned teeth are settling after 2 months maybe because I am not eating on that side of my mouth, but now the implants are bothering me, I assume this maybe while the bone is growing around the implant.  I am back to the dentist this afternoon.  

Answer
Marianne - AS I said, it is a little difficult for me to be sure what is going on, but from the symptoms of headaches, earaches, pain in all the teeth, but not at the same time always, and the sensation that you want to clench, it sounds like you are having spasms of the jaw muscles.  I know this may seem a little difficult to understand, but with the replacement of teeth it is not unusual for your bite to be off a little.  Once off, there is a subconcious attempt by the body to regain a normal bite.  This is often done by clenching and grinding of your teeth while you are sleeping and maybe other times during the day when you are unaware.  This is quite common and a simple approach to relax the spasms is to simply have the dentist fabricate a night guard appliance to rest the muscles.  In addition, before anything is fabricated for you, you should immediately begin a regimen of warm salt water rinses (especially to the back of your mouth on the sides)for about 5 minutes, 4-5 times a day.  You should also use warm moist compresses on the sides of your face, from the temple to the bottom of your jaw, on both sides at the same time, for 5-10 minutes, again 4-5 times a day.  I know it is a lot of work, but if the spasms are the cause, you will notice some improvement with the heat after a few days.

So speak with your dentist about a night guard, but start the warm moist treatments first.  I wish you well and hope you feel better soon.