Gum inflammation versus TMJ?
Added: February 25, 2008 - 4:01 PM
By: hunkydory366@bellsouth.net, Atlanta, GA
Need Dentist / Specialist:
Yes
Provide Cost Estimate:
No
X-rays Available:
No
Case Summary
Teeth:
Last Full Mouth X-Ray: December 2006 ?
Last Cleaning: February 2008
Case Description
I have what feels like really bad gum inflammation, but I'm told it could be TMJ. For about a month, I have had pain that starts every afternoon in my lower right molar area, and throughout the day radiates to the upper and lower back teeth/gums/whatever. I take Ambien at night (for 2 years), sleep fine, wake up without pain, and then a few hours later, it's awful again. I have had very little popping in my right jaw area, and it doesn't hurt to open wide. Chewing food does not hurt. I definitely have some documented neck arthritis, and I sit at a desk 12 hours a day. Yes, I have stress, and I sometimes clench my teeth, but I don't think I grind them. I tried an OTC mouthguard faithfully for a week ( to use during the afternoon/early evening), and it did not help at all. I know for sure I need some unrelated crown and possible root canal work; do I need to make an appointment with a dentist who also specializes in TMJ? (my current dentist does neither root canals or TMJ stuff). Will TMJ show up on a dental x-ray. Is there hope, or will I be in pain forever???
Request Consultation
Get Dentist Opinions
Compare Ratings
Select Dentist!
Are You This Patient?
When selecting a new doctor, consider the following:
Quality of Explanations: Compare dentist replies. Give preference to well-reasoned, detail-oriented, transparent explanations.
Experience & Qualifications: If a dentist has a practice listing, check their practice description,
special training, typical office procedures and before & after case photographs.
Other Patients' Freedback: If a dentist has reviews, read other patients' reviews. The more
reviews they have, the more likely it is that other patients' feeback is accurate.
Treatment Costs: Dental procedure costs vary from practice to practice and depend on a variety of factors.
Because quality of patient care and treatment results vary from practice to practice most dentists will not "price-match" treatment fees of others.
Reply: Gum inflammation versus TMJ?
added: March 04, 2008 - 4:30 PM
The idea is that the diagnosis preceeds the treatment. I would say that you could have pain input from teeth that makes the TMJ feel worse. Radiating pain can come from teeth, gums and TMJ as well as the muscles of the face. Some xrays tell about the state of the TMJ. We have a CT scan for that in our office. Do go to my web site and read about tmj, ct scans, neuroumscular dentistry if you wish. www.suwaneedental.comblessings,bill williams, dmd
Get Dentist Opinions