Expert: Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired - 11/21/2006

Question
The dentist did do an xray and a few tests with the
pulp meter thing had me bite down on something and then tapped on my teeth.  However, I didn't feel any great pain when he did it.  It felt like somebody tapping my teeth.  It always makes me nervous with dentists.  I've just never
had one that I have trusted I guess.  This morning my jaw was so stiff.  I do
find myself grinding my teeth at night...but have never had any pain like this
before.  My ear actually hurts this morning - like a little bit of an earache.  
If I make an exaggerated smile - it's almost like something is "pulling" at the
bottom of my jaw in front of my back teeth.  And, of course it hurts when I
clinch my teeth together or bite down.  I have had toothaches before.  This is
just so new - and I guess I have concern that root canals and crowns are often
diagnosed too soon because they are a lot of money.  I think I need to see an endodontist or an oral surgeon for a second opinion.  I would probably feel better
knowing the results from somebody who specializes in these kinds of things.  I
guess the other reason I am hesistant is with having no family dentist in the
area already established.  I was forced to pick somebody off of a list that was
in my network and has never seen me before.  And it was an emergeny visit - like
get me in today kind of thing.  I can't help but feeling a little like I'm an
easy target.

Answer
Karen -  From your description of symptoms it definitely sounds like your problem in muscular related and possibly a secondary TMJ problem.  The TMJ is the jaw joint that sits just in front of the ear--like the area of pain you described.

From your symptoms and the lack of pain directly associated with a tooth even with tapping the type of dentist to see is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.  We are well versed in muscular as well as most other causes of pain.

Again, if you have further questions please feel free to get back to me.