Seriously...dental issues?!

So a month ago I went to the dentist and had a cracked silver filling (from when I was 7!) replaced. I have TMJ and a small mouth, so it's never fun ... but do-able. But this lasted 1.5 hrs and sent me into a flare. There was a lot of pain involved, and I wouldn't numb properly. Crazy.

Two weeks later, still a lot of pain. I went back and they adjusted the bite. I couldn't eat or let anything touch the teeth on the left side of my mouth at all. Super sensitive to hot and cold, with radiating pain for hours after exposure. (Even lukewarm water was ice cold... eek!)

Two weeks after that - yesterday - I went back. I am STILL in pain. The dentist did more x-rays and everything looks great. He tried to buff the tooth a bit and the air from the spinning disc was so cold, I practically leapt out of the chair. I asked about fibromyalgia possibly making the dental stuff more intense and they said definitely.

He is saying root canal now. When I was numb before, I could still feel things. My jaw hurt being open. I am so scared to have a root canal done when I am already in this much pain.

I priced IV sedation today. The closest dentist that does it is 2 hours away. The sedation is $390, on top of the out-of-pocket for the root canal. It's likely I have a cracked tooth and from what I have researched, a root canal may not even help that.

I have never had serious dental issues before but... doing it with fibromyalgia now seems sooooooo scary and ugh. I'm being a child about it. I'd rather have a spinal tap than do this. :(

Boo hoo. Pity party. Any advice?

I'm wondering if the fact that you grind your teeth is causing a lot of this pain. I have had seven root canals since developing fibro and haven't had a problem. My dentist tells me to let him know if I feel anything. If I do, he gives me more numbing. I can't use novocaine due to an allergic reaction but there is something like novocaine that they use.

I have a small mouth too and I know my jaw aches for a few days because I had to have my mouth open as wide as possible but that goes away. I do not have TMJ though.

I suggest you wait until this pain goes away before you have a root canal. I didn't have any pain with mine since the dentist kept me numb. He even had a TV in the ceiling and I watched TV while having the root canals.

Sherrine

I hate the dentist. TMJ, small mouth, etc. I went for years not going to the dentist, since it hurt too much. Even spent several months with a cracked tooth.

After I tried the gas sedation, I no longer fear the dentist, and have much less pain afterwards than I ever thought possible. Before I tried it, I had priced IV sedation. But, as my GI says, take small steps to see what works. Ultimately, you want the least dangerous and invasive intervention.

I'm sorry. I misunderstood. I just have never heard of getting a root canal if you didn't have an abscessed tooth. Is all this pain from getting that cracked filling repaired?

There is something called trigeminal neuralgia. Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic about it. Does this sound like what you are experiencing?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trigeminal-neuralgia/DS00446/DSECTION=symptoms

Sherrine

I've had multiple root canals (I'm a nighttime grinder), and I have TMJ. I do experience some TMJ issues after holding my mouth open for dental work, but they usually resolve in a couple of weeks.

My advice is to look for a reputable Endodontist. The majority of the work they do is root canals. They have specialized equipment, are precise, and they are in and relatively quickly. I have a wonderful one who has done the bulk of my work, and it is no more uncomfortable that getting a simple filling. I don't even feel his shots. I haven't ever used sedation or gas. I wonder if you could try a simple Valium or similar drug to see if that relaxes you enough? It would be much cheaper.

Also, some docs have soft plastic thingies they put in your mouth to hold it open so you don't have to do all the work. I've found this helps with my TMJ some.

I also had trouble getting numb one time on one tooth. I've never had it happen on other teeth, so it won't necessarily happen again. When it did happen, the Endodontist was able to put numbing agent through the tooth directly into the root and I didn't feel a thing afterward. I think if a dentist is highly skilled, he will be able to get you numb.

Good luck!