Hi there. So I am a 26-year-old female who also just recently had 4 wisdom teeth removed, one of which was a horizontal impaction (lower left mandible). I was unable to get them out for the longest time (about 2 years) because I couldn't afford it. I qualified for free dental help and finally got them out August 2011.
When I was younger I had a scissor bite, which my braces and a built-in retainer helped fix. I had to wear a rubber band (stretched from top left to lower right) that helped re-align my jaw. I also had tongue thrust or some problem with my tongue and had to be trained how to swallow again. I tend to push on the back of my teeth with my tongue, and I think that problem has returned since I catch myself swallowing like that from time to time.
So today I went back to the dentist because I had noticed a white bump had formed in the same spot my impacted wisdom tooth was on the lower left mandible. I have been experiencing a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, facial weakness, trouble swallowing, my neck constantly hurts, my shoulders hurt, my neck feels tight, throat feels tight, my pressure in my teeth, just pressure in general, unable to relax my jaw, and it feels slightly warm on that white spot. Singing is a major part of my life and I used to sing very well and because of my inability to relax my jaw, that has become a struggle, which is very disappointing. So I figured the white bump might just be another wisdom tooth since it is possible to get more than 4 and I've been having all these symptoms.
They took a mini x-ray of that spot and it didn't indicate a wisdom tooth at all. Turns out the white bump is just tissue from the previous extraction. They brought a different dentist in and after messing with my jaw (opening, closing, checking for tenderness) they came to the conclusion it was TMJ related. Told me that they would get me a night guard to help with my jaw clenching at night.
I was told there are numerous causes and to really determine what the cause would require a lot of tests. He mentioned anxiety as a possible cause and that makes me think that could definitely be what's doing it due to the fact that I've been under a tremendous amount of stress. I have most definitely been anxious lately. I can never relax. I had gone through a bout of depression a year ago due to some family issues, though I refused to take medication for it as I hate taking pills. However, I may reconsider if I thought meds could relax me enough to help alleviate the symptoms of this TMJ or TMD whichever it is.
The dentists didn't really diagnose it or do any tests. Just based off what I told them, they opted for a specially-fitted night guard to help with clenching of teeth, to be used at night, and told me to use warm compresses on my TMJ joints during the day. I will do those things to see if it helps, but if that doesn't help, what other choices do I have? I read a few things online, and checked out some different forums, etc. Please help if you can or if you can share your own personal experience regarding this that may also help. Should I go see a dr. who specializes in the jaw? What type of dr. would I need to see? I'm trying to do as much research as I can so I know my options. I don't have a lot of money and I don't have insurance so I need to make sure I don't waste time going to the wrong type of specialist.
Is it possible the little bump of tissue could be causing problems? I didn't have any problems with TMJ until the wisdom tooth extraction.
One more thing, this sucks.