About Steven C. Scherr, D.D.S. Expertise Comprehensive Dentistry, TMJ Dysfunction Therapy, and Cosmetic Dentistry. Nineteen years of experience including hospital residency (Sinai Hospital of Baltimore), and training at the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. Currently in private rehabilitative practice.
Experience I was the Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School in 1981. I served as a General Practice Resident at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 1981-82, and have been in private dental practice since that time. My practice is now located in Owings Mills, MD, a suburb of Baltimore. My studies at The L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education in Florida has enriched my practice and my patients. It was there that I learned the true meaning of excellence.
Question I recently went to the dentist for a pain in my lower back molar on the left side. It hurts when I bite down and my jaw hurts to open. It feels very stiff in the morning. The dentist put me on antibiotic and has a root canal schedules for a week from today. My question is more related to my jaw. My jaw hurts up near my ear. There is no popping - just pain. Could it really be the tooth that needs the root canal...or could it be some other issue. This tooth has a filling and hasn't really given me any problems until this pain just woke me up in the middle of the night. If my jaw is bumped...it just hurts terribly. Should I get a second opinion. I guess I have just never had a tooth cause my jaw so much pain. Thanks much!
Answer Karen,
Tooth pain can be very intense. A damaged tooth nerve can cause the symptoms described. However, there are other possible causes as well. These include a problem related to the jaw joint (TMJ). As the jaw joint sits immediately in front of the ear, pain in this area could be referred from a nearby tooth or could be coming from the jaw joint itself. Your dentist can do some tests to help distinguish between the two. Other possible, though less common causes, are muscle pain (Myo-oral Facial Pain Syndrome), a migraine associated with a tooth (migranous toothache), or a neuralgia.
If you are unsure, you may want to seek another opinion from a root canal specialist (endodontist).
