what could be wrong with my jaw?

Posted by ariza9110 @ariza9110, Aug 17 10:23am

I had 9 teeth fillings in the course of two months where the last one was 1 month ago, since then it feels like i am unable to find a place to rest my tounge when closing my mouth into a resting posture, it goes automatically to an uncomftrable place too backwards or too forward where it presses my teeth, which forces me to keep my mouth open so im just with my mouth open all the time, also my mouth opening is limited, the inability to find a resting posture also causes muscle strain and specifically my right side of the jaw also pops all the time, since its been a long time since the fillings done I thought if it may be possible that the hyperextantion of the jaw injured it in some way, if so what should I test for and if anyone experienced a similar symptom and found the case or have any idea what could it be I would like to know, thanks.

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@azgeorgie

Firstly, have you let your dentist know you are having these problems?
There are a few things that come to mind but mainly when you speak about your tongue and it's unusual movements and "feeling" nerves come to mind. There is a condition called oromandibular dystonia (OMD) which can be caused by some types of dental work in some cases. Please look into this and contact your dentist first, then it may, if it fits, need a consult with a neurologist. This can often be temporary so don't be anxious, but do take it serious and follow up promptly. If it is dystonia, the faster it is diagnosed and treated generally the better the outcome of treatment.
Good luck.

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I red about Oromandibular dystonia and first it seems like it is a permanent condition most of the times from what I red, and also it is hard to get it diagnosed and it gets undiagnosed very often, im really frustrated and dont know where should i look for getting help.

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I am so sorry that you are so frustrated along with your frustration. I completely understand because I've been there. I went years trying to hide mine because I had deduced that it must be some sort of nervous, "anxiety" condition with my tongue in spite of my other jaw problems and indications that there was more going on. It was only after having an automobile accident and getting whiplash that caused many neurolical symptoms (due impart to a pre-existing genetic component) that I began seeing multiple different kinds of specialists and subspecialties of neurology, it was noticed that I hold my mouth that it was questioned and I explained it. They did cervical spine imaging, nerve conductivity testing, EMG, skin/nerve biopsies, labs, reviewed all of my medications that I had taken in the past couple years, etc to find the cause before a neurologist specializing in "movement disorders" diagnosed me.
My advise still is to talk to your dentist and see what he can figure out since the issue began after his dental work. He should handle any referrals if they are needed. If he does not. Then I would present the symptoms to your PCP for his opinion , testing and referrals. Until then, try to relax and don't jump to any conclusions. This very well could be very short term as a result of your extensive dental work and may turn out to be nothing to be upset over. Just follow up and follow through with your DDS & PCP until it has resolved.
By the way, dystonia/dyskinesias can often be treated even though not "cured". In my case botox injections have helped to manage my symptoms very much to the point of not being embarrassed and anxious from the uncontrolled constant tongue movements and sore mouth and jaw.
I hope this helps.
Try to distract yourself by doing something enjoyable until you can call your DDS Monday morning to get in to see him promptly.
I wish you well. 🤗

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@azgeorgie

I am so sorry that you are so frustrated along with your frustration. I completely understand because I've been there. I went years trying to hide mine because I had deduced that it must be some sort of nervous, "anxiety" condition with my tongue in spite of my other jaw problems and indications that there was more going on. It was only after having an automobile accident and getting whiplash that caused many neurolical symptoms (due impart to a pre-existing genetic component) that I began seeing multiple different kinds of specialists and subspecialties of neurology, it was noticed that I hold my mouth that it was questioned and I explained it. They did cervical spine imaging, nerve conductivity testing, EMG, skin/nerve biopsies, labs, reviewed all of my medications that I had taken in the past couple years, etc to find the cause before a neurologist specializing in "movement disorders" diagnosed me.
My advise still is to talk to your dentist and see what he can figure out since the issue began after his dental work. He should handle any referrals if they are needed. If he does not. Then I would present the symptoms to your PCP for his opinion , testing and referrals. Until then, try to relax and don't jump to any conclusions. This very well could be very short term as a result of your extensive dental work and may turn out to be nothing to be upset over. Just follow up and follow through with your DDS & PCP until it has resolved.
By the way, dystonia/dyskinesias can often be treated even though not "cured". In my case botox injections have helped to manage my symptoms very much to the point of not being embarrassed and anxious from the uncontrolled constant tongue movements and sore mouth and jaw.
I hope this helps.
Try to distract yourself by doing something enjoyable until you can call your DDS Monday morning to get in to see him promptly.
I wish you well. 🤗

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thanks for your comment! I hope you are doing better now!
I went to the tmj specialist today and she said the same thing the dentist said, that I suffer from bruxism which causes this "jaw discomfort", she suggested trying a splint which I am very skeptical would help, I wonder if I should see a neurologist even before trying the splint and if the neurologist would take me serious since my symptoms are not visible to people and does not cause difficulty eating/talking, but when i close my mouth in a resting pose my jaw spasms and my tounge goes backward involuntary.

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@ariza9110

thanks for your comment! I hope you are doing better now!
I went to the tmj specialist today and she said the same thing the dentist said, that I suffer from bruxism which causes this "jaw discomfort", she suggested trying a splint which I am very skeptical would help, I wonder if I should see a neurologist even before trying the splint and if the neurologist would take me serious since my symptoms are not visible to people and does not cause difficulty eating/talking, but when i close my mouth in a resting pose my jaw spasms and my tounge goes backward involuntary.

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I think your Drs are giving you great advice. I would follow their advice and see if their instruction helps your problems. They specialize in this area. If it fails, you have lost nothing and you move on. If it works, problem solved on attempt #1!

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@azgeorgie

I think your Drs are giving you great advice. I would follow their advice and see if their instruction helps your problems. They specialize in this area. If it fails, you have lost nothing and you move on. If it works, problem solved on attempt #1!

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I will try that and if it wont help then ill go to the neurologist. Thanks!

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@azgeorgie

I think your Drs are giving you great advice. I would follow their advice and see if their instruction helps your problems. They specialize in this area. If it fails, you have lost nothing and you move on. If it works, problem solved on attempt #1!

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do you think that even if it is oromandibular dystonia it may go away on its own if it was triggered by the dental treatment?

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I can't say that. As I've said from the beginning, I think you should talk to your Drs about your symptoms and make your choices with them about your treatment. If it doesn't work, you have a direction to go. When you first presented the issue you posted your symptoms and asked if anyone had any ideas on what it could possibly be. Everyone was replying bruxism and TMJD. These were ob yous after the dental work. The only thing I could thing of that should be considered other than the obvious was a movement disorder, due to the abnormal, uncontrollable tongue movements. Not at all to disregard to first and most likely problem which would be related to dental issues. This is why each time I have responded I have said to follow up with your DDS first before moving on to your PCP for further evaluation and referrals.
I am sorry if this was not completey clear.

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@azgeorgie

I can't say that. As I've said from the beginning, I think you should talk to your Drs about your symptoms and make your choices with them about your treatment. If it doesn't work, you have a direction to go. When you first presented the issue you posted your symptoms and asked if anyone had any ideas on what it could possibly be. Everyone was replying bruxism and TMJD. These were ob yous after the dental work. The only thing I could thing of that should be considered other than the obvious was a movement disorder, due to the abnormal, uncontrollable tongue movements. Not at all to disregard to first and most likely problem which would be related to dental issues. This is why each time I have responded I have said to follow up with your DDS first before moving on to your PCP for further evaluation and referrals.
I am sorry if this was not completey clear.

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I tried using a night guard with no improvement in my symptoms, I wonder if it can actually be oromandibular dystonia, when I said tounge sits too foward or too backwards, I am not sure if it is involuntary, It more like my tounge doesnt have a place in my mouth and like my lower jaw moved in a way where my tounge doesnt have a place to be and it touches my teeth/sometimes I cant get to my teeth with it, also when I bite my teeth dont meet properly and make a squeal sound and it makes eating pretty difficult. dentists been unhelpful.

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