I really need advice about something awful that has happened to me - - a dental nightmare. Please?

Question

I can't sleep due to the anxiety and depression that this has caused me - - I probably slept about three hours off and on last night. I haven't felt this devastated in years. I FEEL LIKE I AM LOSING MY SANITY.

I want to cry, but I doubt that I can even do that. I have lost all hope. I cannot believe that this is happening to me.


You see, I went to have a simple filling done on a rear lower molar on the day before Thanksgiving. During the procedure, the dentist filled on my rear molars, which has caused my jaw to have TMJ-like symptoms, that for the most part have not gone away. This was a week and a half ago. I went back to the dentist a few days ago, and told her about the pain I was having, and she said that the pain would go away. She was friendly and gave me a prescription for Soma to relieve the muscle aches.

But I recently noticed that my front teeth have a much much bitter overbite than I ever had. I also noticed that the pain in my jaw happens when I try to close my mouth so that my rear teeth meet (in a relaxed position). I have never had problems like this prior to that dental appointment for the filling-gone-wrong, and I feel sick to my stomach over what has happened to me. Am I going to have to live like this for the rest of my life? I think that she filed too much on my back teeth in her failed attempt to "make them fit together."

Since I have already seen this particular dentist twice about what she did to my teeth, I have decided to get a second opinion from my former orthodontist, who did a great job with my braces that I received from him twenty years ago when I was a teenager.

Until then, however, I am no longer able to sleep or think about anything else except for this catastrophe that has happened to my teeth.


Please, please lend me your advice about what are some of the next steps that I should take.

Thank you, and God Bless.

buffy6029 · Accepted Answer

Well, I can see how you would be upset, but if it is to the point of losing your sanity, I think your problem is MENTAL, not DENTAL. 
Next steps: 
- Think about the fact that if this is the worst thing happening to you right now, you're lucky. 
- Breathe, chill out, take some soma.
- Call a psychiatrist, please.
- Go see a different dentist. Your issue can almost certainly be fixed I'm 99.9%- they can put laminates on, or add some bonding, or worst case is orthodontics. 
- keep your mind off of it- focus/ put your energy into something else like reading a book or tv or something. 
- Everything will be fine!

homeless jamesbond · Answer

First off let me say that I'm a third year dental student. TMJ disorders are a foggy area for dentists. most of the time we don't know what triggers it, why it happens, or why it can suddenly resolve itself. Since there is some mystery to TMJ problems, it is possible that the filling caused some change. When you bite down, does it feel high? If all your teeth come together the same as before the filling, then your dentist properly brought the occlusion together. If it feels high, let her know.  I don't know what exactly was done, but if it was a filling with either tooth colored resin or silver amalgam, it is unlikely that she did anything wrong. You were right in consulting a second opinion, I've seen some bad restorations. I hope you see my advice as a second opinion and not as lies from the enemy (I know there is some animosity towards my profession.)

? · Answer

It sounds like the filling that was done has created an interference in your bite. Some people who have TMJ symptoms can adapt to their bites and get along symptom free for years, but any small change in the bite will disrupt this adaptation and cause TMJ problems. The dentist should check the bite on the filling, if you are hitting hard on that tooth or only hitting that tooth, the filling height can be adjusted. If this is the cause of your problem, the relief should be quick. If you are noticing a change in your overbite, that means that your joint has been displaced previously and now it is trying to reseat itself in its socket. Regardless of the filling height, you should see an orthodontist or dentist experienced in TMJ treatment. Treatment of TMJ is not easy or fast, it will take months or years of hard work. TMJ is painful and hard to deal with, it affects every part of your life. The muscle relaxers will not help unless the TMJ is due to muscle spasms or muscle guarding. There are at-home rememdies you can try. An anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen, motrin or aleve is important because the joint is inflamed causing pain. You can take 800mg of ibuprofen every 4-6 hrs while you are having pain. Also alternate ice and heat to reduce inflammation. Eat soft foods and do not chew gum. Call the dentist back and if they do not provide any more help, seek a second opinion.

Anonymous · Answer

sue them!

http://www.whocanisue.com/Legal-Topics/

choose the appropriate topic and get a lawyer.

sorry about your teeth btw. that sounds awful

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I really need advice about something awful that has happened to me - - a dental nightmare. Please?

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