I had two amalgam fillings (because of decay around them) changed out last Wednesday. I have been experiencing increasing pain on that whole side of my mouth for the last few days. I went back to the dentist today, who x-rayed and found no infection. I have alot of referred pain into the bottom jaw, too (work was done on the top). His advice was to wait a week to see if the pain goes away. In my experience, every time this happens, I end up getting a root canal and crown. I have had 5 of these over the last several years. A couple of them were due to cracked teeth, the other 3 due to unbearable pain after refillings. Does anyone on the board have any advice for me? If so, I surely appreciate it. I've broken down and taken a 600mg Advil twice, and am going to try EXS Tylenol now. Don't know how much of this pain I can take. It's making me feel sick all over.
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
Re: Dental problems/pain
Posted by Walt Stoll on January 05, 1999 at 13:28:43:
In Reply to: Dental problems/pain posted by Nancy on January 04, 1999 at 20:06:00:
Dear Nancy,
Besides the obvious dental problem here, the chances are almost certain that you have TMJ which is always aggravated by dental procedures that require keeping the mouth open for extended dental work.
You could shortcut the discomfort of the TMJ by trying the stuff recommended on the homepage of this site about TMJ. This will do nothing about any dental probvlems that may need the root canals, etc but will likely keep you from going crazy while the dental diagnoses are being made.
Finally, remember that TMJ is not resolved by surgery or dental treatment but by the long term effect of SR & awareness of the habitual problem.
Walt
Follow Ups:
Re: Dental problems/pain
Posted by Nancy on January 05, 1999 at 19:20:55:
In Reply to: Re: Dental problems/pain posted by Walt Stoll on January 05, 1999 at 13:28:43:
Thanks, Walt. I was dx'd with TMJ many years ago, but the SR has reduced the effects of that to little or nothing! I'm sure you're right, though, about the fact that holding the mouth open for extended periods can aggravate it. I'm feeling much better today, alternating Tylenol with motrin and taking extra Vitamin C and echinachea. Maybe I can stay out of pain long enough for the tooth to heal. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Follow Ups:
Re: Dental problems/pain
Posted by Peter Wray on January 05, 1999 at 20:43:04:
In Reply to: Re: Dental problems/pain posted by Nancy on January 05, 1999 at 19:20:55:
Nancy,
I'd check out some of the amalgam sites. I've got some artcles on my site too (see the link below).
Peter
Re: Dental problems/pain
Posted by Nancy on January 06, 1999 at 19:51:56:
In Reply to: Re: Dental problems/pain posted by Peter Wray on January 05, 1999 at 20:43:04:
Peter
I really appreciate your sending me these references. I've been wanting to do a search on the subject of root canals and amalgam fillings, and you just made it so easy for me! I had my first filling when I was only 10 years old (40 years ago). Wouldn't that be interesting if that was at the "root" of many of my medical problems? I've been slowly having those old fillings replaced, but I've also had 5 root canals and crowns. Now I don't know what to do about this bad tooth. I feel pretty sure the pain is not going away by itself. On the other hand, if I pulled every tooth that died, I may as well have just gotten bridges and eventually dentures. Sometimes knowledge is very depressing.