What Causes Jaw Pain Post Tooth Extraction?

Posted on Sun, 5 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 5 Jul 2015 Answered on

Mon, 27 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a tooth extraction more than 2 weeks ago and it has appeared to have healed fine, but have had jaw pain above and below the area since. I remember having neuralgia when I was younger, and this seems to be a similar pain affecting the side of my face and jaw. I have a very sore spot along the gum line which is where the novacain was injected,I believe.

Answered by Dr. Geldon Fejzo (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Probably trigeminal nerve compression

Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern.

It is uncommon that someone has complaints at two weeks distance after a tooth removal.

In my point of view the pain should be related to a compression of the trigeminal nerve branch passing near the tooth you have had removed.

The compression probably is caused by an inflammatory reaction of the relative area, causing a chronic reaction which may lead to granuloma. in such case the pain might continue for a while. So, you better prevent this eventuality.

The antibiotics, easily given by dentists in not a wise option at this case, because they do not heal the granuloma, but only a possible infection which would lead to a granuloma but in such case there is quite always associated with fever.

I highly recommend talking with you dentist again for you to have a radiography of the area, which would confirm or rule out the granuloma.

if there is no granuloma, then an irritation of the nerve is probably the cause. In thay case gabapentin will help on relieving the pain.

Hope I was clear enough for you to be at any help

Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T