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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Dull, Discomforting Pain In The Hinge Of Left Jaw?

Yesterday morning I woke up with a dull discomforting pain in the hinge of my left jaw. I did not recall injuring it the day before, but it feels as if someone hit me from the right. Like I jammed my jaw, or hyper extended it. I find that I chew on the left side, and am now wincing when I eat and am favoring my front, and right side. Took some anti inflammatories, but they do not seam to help. Hurts when I extend wide open and when I clinch down. I don t remember this happening before. Not the end of the world for me, and don t want to rearrange my day to head for the doctor or dentist if I really do not have to. When I don t expect it, on a scale of 1-10 I would say it is a 8.5 or 9. Being a guy with normal guy aches and pains,, I would say 6.5. I don t know if I slept wrong, jared it during the night, or injured a tooth, I just figured it would go away last night but it did not. Still feels the same. I know that I need to see a dentist, and I do have a cracked molar on the other side. The only thing that I do recall is when eating lunch two days ago, I did bite down on a hard piece of rice, that made me wince and lift up while chewing. There is no swelling, just a sore left jaw. Am I dyeing?? Dan in Seattle.
Thu, 7 Jul 2016
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi.
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain it seems that you are suffering from TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYSFUNCTION which can occur due to a number of reasons like Physical trauma, malocclusion,excessive opening of mouth as well as keeping mouth open for long,teeth grinding and clenching habit, stress which can lead to a habit of tightening the facial muscles and clenching of teeth, Arthritis of the joint..

You need to consult an Oral Physician and get evaluated and along with it get a full mouth x ray known as ORTHOPANTOMOGRAM [OPG] done so that
he can rule out the exact cause of the pain which in your case seems to be due to displacement of the ARTICULAR DISC and can be due to accidental biting of something very hard or it can be due to excess mouth opening..

In case of displaced articular disk non surgical treatment is based upon a HOME BASED EXERCISE PROGRAM which will be demonstrated to you by an oral physician or an oral surgeon which has to be done tow to three times a day for resolving discomfort..
IONOTROPIC CHEMOTHERAPY is a technique by which medicines like steroids and anaesthetic agents can be can be delivered directly into the joint area..
In case if there is no improvement surgical approach is advisable..

As of now you can take painkillers like Ibuprofen for relief..
Do warm compresses over the face..
Avoid excessive mouth opening and hard foods..

If you find the answer helpful please give me a Five Star Review and click on found the answer helpful as a token of appreciation..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..

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What Causes Dull, Discomforting Pain In The Hinge Of Left Jaw?

Hi. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns.. As per your complain it seems that you are suffering from TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYSFUNCTION which can occur due to a number of reasons like Physical trauma, malocclusion,excessive opening of mouth as well as keeping mouth open for long,teeth grinding and clenching habit, stress which can lead to a habit of tightening the facial muscles and clenching of teeth, Arthritis of the joint.. You need to consult an Oral Physician and get evaluated and along with it get a full mouth x ray known as ORTHOPANTOMOGRAM [OPG] done so that he can rule out the exact cause of the pain which in your case seems to be due to displacement of the ARTICULAR DISC and can be due to accidental biting of something very hard or it can be due to excess mouth opening.. In case of displaced articular disk non surgical treatment is based upon a HOME BASED EXERCISE PROGRAM which will be demonstrated to you by an oral physician or an oral surgeon which has to be done tow to three times a day for resolving discomfort.. IONOTROPIC CHEMOTHERAPY is a technique by which medicines like steroids and anaesthetic agents can be can be delivered directly into the joint area.. In case if there is no improvement surgical approach is advisable.. As of now you can take painkillers like Ibuprofen for relief.. Do warm compresses over the face.. Avoid excessive mouth opening and hard foods.. If you find the answer helpful please give me a Five Star Review and click on found the answer helpful as a token of appreciation.. Thanks and regards.. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..