TMJ Symptoms Archives - Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog

Can a Tooth Pushed Out of Place Be Repositioned?

Posted on December 31, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Last month, I had an accident that pushed my tooth back. I want Invisalign to reposition the tooth, but my dentist says nothing can be done further to move the tooth. The tooth root got moved forward and poked my upper lip. I could feel it in my nostril. My dentist said he repositioned the tooth as best he could. He said that he might be able to do something cosmetically. But the sensation in my nostril is uncomfortable, and the tooth is clearly out of place. Do I really have to live with this? Will braces help? Thanks. Ryan

Ryan,

We wish you could have seen a dentist within a day or so of the accident. If a tooth injury is new, a dentist can move it back into place and stabilize it to prevent it from moving.

Can a Tooth Pushed Out of Place Be Repositioned?

When a tooth is pushed out of place, a skilled dentist or endodontist (root canal specialist) can do the following:

Reposition the tooth
Stabilize it until it heals
Perform root canal treatment within a few days of the injury
Protect the tooth with a permanent filling or a crown

If your dentist did not reposition the tooth, orthodontics can do it. Now, you must wait until your tooth fully heals. Invisalign or braces will reposition your front teeth relatively quickly. If you have no problems with your bite and no TMJ symptoms, you can only get Invisalign for your upper teeth.

Root Canal Treatment for a Damaged Tooth

When a tooth is knocked out of place, the pulp (living tissue inside) is usually damaged. You will probably need root canal treatment to remove the tooth pulp. Your dentist or a root canal specialist (endodontist) must clean root canal cement and filler inside the tooth’s crown. Otherwise, your tooth will turn dark over time. If the crown is left clean, it takes years for the tooth to darken.

You can schedule a consultation with an orthodontist provider to examine your tooth and determine when you can begin treatment.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

My Gums Are Too Swollen for a Dental Bridge

Posted on July 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My dentist was supposed to take impressions of my mouth this week, but we had to delay it again because my gums and mouth are still swollen after extractions. I had gum disease, and my doctor prescribed an antibiotic before and after the extractions in December. The infection was getting better, then got worse again. My dentist extended the prescription. I take ibuprofen for discomfort, but the swelling is not improving. The right side of my face is warm and feels hard. My doctor asked me to wait until late next week to see what happens, but this doesn’t feel right. How long does it take for an infection to clear so that I can get a dental bridge? I have taken extra time off work because I am embarrassed to go in without any teeth. Thank you for your help. Milton from Lansing, MI

Milton,

Although Dr. Delaune would need to examine your mouth and X-rays, it sounds like the infection is not improving. It would be best if you talked to your dentist again.

What If a Mouth and Gum Infection Won’t Go Away?

TMJ issues can result from a dental bridge that doesn’t fit well.

When a mouth and gum infection linger, let your dentist know that the antibiotic is not working. Although a dentist may use a standard antibiotic like amoxicillin for an infection, it is ineffective for every patient. When your body does not respond to the medicine, it usually means the bacteria is resistant.

What to do next:

Ask your dentist for a prescription for another antibiotic.
Act quickly to avoid further inflammation and discomfort.
Take the medication as prescribed and finish it all, even if you improve.

Your dentist can take accurate impressions of your mouth after all the swelling resolves and your gum tissue is healthy. Rushing impressions will affect your dental bridge’s fit, disrupting your bite and causing jaw pain and other TMJ symptoms.

Contact your dentist promptly for a new prescription. If your infection lingers, see a periodontist (gum specialist).

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

I’m So Tired of My TMJ Ear Pain

Posted on December 10, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I am so tired of my TMJ ear pain. I’ve had sharp, shooting ear pain on and off for the past three years, and it’s getting worse. In 2019, I saw a massage therapist, which seemed to help, but I moved during Covid and have not gotten back on track. My therapist then recommended self-exercises and warm packs on the sides of my mouth. I’m beginning to have neck pain at night for the past month.

Sleep is challenging because I also snore and know my sleep quality must be poor. I only have a dog at home, so no one is here to tell me how badly I store, but my dog doesn’t leave the room at night. Yesterday morning, I was talking with several colleagues, and the topic of sleep apnea came up. One person said they got good results from wearing a mouthguard at night. I’ve tried that before, but it didn’t seem to help. Are there alternatives? Thank you. Josiah from UT

Josiah,

We are sorry to hear that you’ve been suffering from TMJ symptoms and ear pain. We hope that our response will help you find relief.

What Causes TMJ Ear Pain?

The jaw joint is near the ear canal, so TMJ inflammation can affect your ears, causing pain or ringing (tinnitus). An ENT specialist or dentist trained in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders can determine if TMJ or another condition is causing your ear pain or ringing.

What Is the Treatment for TMJ?

TMJ treatment depends on the cause and severity of your condition. After an examination, a TMJ dentist will explain treatment options, which may include:

Anti-inflammatory medication
Applying moist heat to the area
Custom night guard to minimize the effects of clenching and grinding your teeth
Eating soft foods
Relaxation techniques
TMJ stretches and exercises

Are Sleep Apnea and TMJ Related?

Studies show that sleep apnea and TMJ disorders are related. According to a 2019 article published in The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice, when the jaw joint malfunction contributes to

Teeth grinding
Headaches
Ear pain
Sleep disturbances

Request a Consultation with a TMJ Dentist

If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, schedule an exam with a dentist with post-graduate training in diagnosing TMJ disorders. After a comprehensive exam, the dentist will explain how you can get relief.

In Metairie, Louisiana, Dr. Duane Delaune has been diagnosing and treating TMJ cases for decades. Visit his website to read about his training.

Did Wisdom Teeth Removal Give Me TMJ?

Posted on May 30, 2022 by AllSmiles.

Earlier this month, I had two impacted wisdom teeth removed, and I wonder if something about the procedure gave me TMJ. It’s been three weeks since my oral surgery, and the right side of my face, where the teeth were extracted, is still numb. It hurts when I try to open my mouth wide, and I have numbness on the side of my tongue. I called the oral surgeon’s office, and the receptionist quickly responded and said it takes time for the nerves to heal. I am still uncomfortable with the receptionist’s answer because she didn’t offer to ask the oral surgeon to return my call. She answered me too quickly. Before I call the office again, is the receptionist correct? Should I be concerned? Are any of my symptoms related to TMJ? Thank you. Joan from Colorado

Joan,

Thank you for your question.

Your lingual (tongue) nerve is near wisdom teeth; sometimes, it travels on top of wisdom teeth. It might be difficult or impossible for the most careful dentists or oral surgeons to avoid touching or damaging the nerve during impacted wisdom teeth extraction. The symptoms you describe are related to the nerves near wisdom teeth, not temporomandibular joint (TMJ) concerns.

After Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction, When Will the Nerve Heal?

When and if the nerve will heal after wisdom teeth removal depends on several factors:

Extent of damage – A bruised or stretched nerve could take a month or two to heal. A cut nerve is unlikely to mend, but some growth may occur over time. Expect a year or more of recovery time for a crushed nerve.
Sensation in your tongue – If your tongue feels numb and tingly, it may be that the nerve is repairing itself.
Inability to open your mouth – Swelling during the healing process can prevent you from opening your mouth. If the swelling does not improve or gets worse, you might have an infection in your muscle tissue, limiting how wide you can open your mouth. Your oral surgeon may prescribe antibiotics.
Microsurgery – Although nerve repair surgery is complicated, at times, it is possible. You can ask your oral surgeon if it is an option.

Although you spoke with a receptionist, call the office again and ask to talk with the oral surgeon, leave a message for him to return your call, or schedule a follow-up appointment. The surgeon will have more insight into your treatment options.

Metairie, Louisiana dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

Is It TMJ or an Ear Infection?

Posted on March 13, 2019 by AllSmiles.

Does your ear hurt and feel full and you think it might be related to TMJ? How can you determine the real cause of your symptoms?

What Is TMJ?

TMJ has is an acronym that is commonly used to describe dysfunction with the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw (mandible) to the bone on the side of your head (temporal).

There are many signs and symptoms associated with TMJ. And you don’t have to experience them all to have a TMJ disorder. You might be experiencing one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

Pain in or around your ear
Chronic headaches
Chronic earaches
Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
Chronic neck pain
Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
Clicking or popping noises when you open your mouth
Jaw clenching
Jaw pain or soreness that is worse in the morning or late afternoon
Jaw pain when you chew, bite or yawn
Tender jaw muscles
Sensitivity in your teeth
Bruxism (grinding your teeth)

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Ear Infection?

Although you may not be experiencing all of them, common signs and symptoms of an ear infection in adults include:

Ear pain
Fluid draining from the ear
Impaired hearing
Fullness in the ear
Nausea
Dizziness
In severe cases, a stiff neck and/or fever

If you think you have TMJ, schedule an appointment with a dentist who has advanced training in the disorder. He or she will examine your teeth, jaw, and bite to make the determination.

How Will It Be Treated?

If you have TMJ, a customized mouthguard will be recommended for you to wear while you sleep. It will relax your jaw and prevent bruxism, which is often related to TMJ.
Relaxation and jaw exercises might be recommended to help relax the muscles.
It can also help to alternately apply hot and cold packs to the side of your face where the muscles are sore.

What If Your Symptoms Don’t Match TMJ?

Even if you don’t think you have TMJ, chronic ear pain should not be ignored. An untreated infection can spread and permanently affect your hearing and balance. You should schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. If necessary he or she will refer you to a specialist.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Duane Delaune of Delaune Dental in New Orleans.

Do I Need to Get a Second Opinion from a TMJ Dentist?

Posted on November 25, 2016 by writeradmin.

I went through about two years of braces when I was a teen and I stuck with it. I even wore the retainer like I was supposed to for years. Now my dentist says my bite isn’t right. He wants me to get crowns on all my teeth to fix it. In all fairness, I’ve already had a couple of cavities, and I think we got on this because I said I wanted my teeth whiter, but getting crowns everywhere seems excessive to me. Should I get a second opinion from a TMJ dentist about my bite, or is what he’s telling me on the up and up?

Lance

Dear Lance,

A second opinion from someone with significant training in TMJ dentistry would be a good idea. There’s a whole lot going on here and it’s unclear why your dentist made the recommendation he did.

TMJ problems are serious, and they do need correction, but based on what you’ve documented here, I’ve seen no indication of you haven’t indicated that you have any TMJ symptoms. Those would include jaw pain, popping, grinding, clicking, or generalized mouth pain, and migraines. These symptoms would make me suspect TMJ.

As for having the crowns done, this is one way to go about correcting bite issues, but there are also less invasive and less expensive ways to go about doing it, too.

Wanting whiter teeth is no excuse to jump in and get crowns either. Unless you’ve had work done on your front teeth, you can just have teeth whitening done, for a fraction of the cost and without affecting healthy tooth structure. Even if you do already have dental work on those teeth, you can have it replaced after whitening so it all matches.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Duane Delaune.