Jaw Pain, Clicking, and Misalignment

[KingGeno]

Hello Dr. Steve. I am looking for some advice on an issue I am having.

For the past year or so, my jaw has been shifting further and further to the left side of my face. I haven't had any injury. For some reason my bite is completely off because of this, and I now notice that my left cheek is now puffier it seems. Not sure if it is just my jaw jutting out, and it makes it look bigger.

On top of that, it is constantly clicking or cracking on the left side it is shifting towards. It's like my joint is getting stuck or something. It usually ends up a LOUD and painful crack that happens right under/in-front of my ear, followed by soreness.

I plan on scheduling to have a jaw specialist look at it, but I am looking for some pre-emptive thoughts.

Thanks so much!

-GS

[Dr Steve]

Hello Dr. Steve. I am looking for some advice on an issue I am having.

For the past year or so, my jaw has been shifting further and further to the left side of my face. I haven't had any injury. For some reason my bite is completely off because of this, and I now notice that my left cheek is now puffier it seems. Not sure if it is just my jaw jutting out, and it makes it look bigger.

On top of that, it is constantly clicking or cracking on the left side it is shifting towards. It's like my joint is getting stuck or something. It usually ends up a LOUD and painful crack that happens right under/in-front of my ear, followed by soreness.

I plan on scheduling to have a jaw specialist look at it, but I am looking for some pre-emptive thoughts.

Thanks so much!

-GS

The most common cause for this kind of thing in adulthood is "bruxism" or the grinding of teeth. This can cause inflammation in the joint capsule of the jaw, causing swelling, and eventually causing misalignment (which will cause clicking and deviation to one side, etc).

There are other ways you can get this kind of inflammation, though, from plain ol' osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis), to infection and a host of other things.

This ain't normal, but it may not be serious, either. Can't tell without doing some tests. What they will likely do (and I'd recommend taking care of this sooner, rather than later, as in this week or next) are the following:

1) CT or MRI of the jaw joint
2) plain xrays of the jaw joints
3) blood work to rule out various forms of arthritis and inflammation
4) if your jaw looks like it's growing, they'll even do a growth hormone blood test

It's not impossible that something weird is going on, like your parotid gland (the one that enlarges behind your jaw when you have mumps) is plugged up or infected, swelling and causing your jaw to misalign. I could think of all kinds of stuff, but my goal is not to freak you out, but rather to encourage you to seek help.

At best this will probably get worse with time, so get it checked out and write back with the "right" answer after you get it! Let me know if I can help in any way.


your friend,


steve

[drjoek]

To add to this answer if your jaw is getting bigger on one side more then the other that would be way outside the realm of normal. Jaw growth is complete by the age of 18 or so and is ttypically symetrical so if it is getting bigger on one side that is a concern. If the jaw has undergone some sort of trauma at an earlier age it could have slowed the growth and any normal growth would be on the othe side so that the jaw would deviate in the direction of the diminished growth. Pain and clicking is typical whe you have a deviation in the TMJ joint. The joint has a soft tissue capsule that cushions the two bones. If this capsule gets displaced it will click and grind as the jaw tries to move
http://www.dentistglendaleca.com/Graphics/pro_tm4.jpg.

First step would be to see a dentist who has some expertise in TMJ treatment. It could be a minor thing treated with a splint or could get very complex. Think simple first

Good Luck



Dr Steve do I get a shot at cohosting with you??

[KingGeno]

Thanks so much for the great guidance.

Like I stated, I have no injuries. I also do no grind my teeth. I am getting this checked out within the next few week. Didn't realize this is a very busy time for runts to get their wisdom teef out.

I'll keep ya posted, and thanks again for the quick and great response.

-GS

[Hottub]

Dr Steve do I get a shot at cohosting with you??

Oh man. How great would that be.:clap:

Think about it, Steve.

[jonyrotn]

It may come from talking too much shit..I know that's how I got my broken jaw..

[Hottub]

It may come from talking too much shit..I know that's how I got my broken jaw..

LOTD!!:clap:

[Hottub]

"Hello. Dr. Joe? This is Jim the Trucker. I was just wonderin' why when I bite into my jerkey, it comes out all covered in puss, and I cain't get my sumbitchen gums to stop bleedin'. It cain't be my teeth, I only got 10 of those..."

Radio Gold.

[jauble]

It may come from talking too much shit..I know that's how I got my broken jaw..

damnit that really made me laugh

[Ritalin]

"Hello. Dr. Joe? This is Jim the Trucker. I was just wonderin' why when I bite into my jerkey, it comes out all covered in puss, and I cain't get my sumbitchen gums to stop bleedin'. It cain't be my teeth, I only got 10 of those..."

Radio Gold.

I couldn't listen to 2 minutes of people talking about their dental problems. The worst kind of pain in the world.

[drjoek]

I couldn't listen to 2 minutes of people talking about their dental problems. The worst kind of pain in the world.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dG5Qk-jB0D4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dG5Qk-jB0D4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Ritalin]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dG5Qk-jB0D4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dG5Qk-jB0D4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

You. fucking. butcher.

[Dude!]

Thanks so much for the great guidance.

Like I stated, I have no injuries. I also do no grind my teeth. I am getting this checked out within the next few week. Didn't realize this is a very busy time for runts to get their wisdom teef out.

I'll keep ya posted, and thanks again for the quick and great response.

-GS

you might grind your teeth while sleeping and not know it
i didnt realize i did until i started sleeping around and partners would tell me i was clicking and chomping and grinding really loud
it didn't wake me up but it woke them up

[jauble]

How is there not a geno blows dudes joke in here. Nothing against you personally GBD but its begging for it.

[KingGeno]

It's alright. Anything involving a man and any talk of trauma to the mouth area usually leads to "batch gargler" jokes.

[jauble]

It's alright. Anything involving a man and any talk of trauma to the mouth area usually leads to "batch gargler" jokes.

Im glad we can still be friends and come to an agreement that no matter who posted this dick jokes should prevail. :drunk: Maybe you and I should go to the middle east and negotiate

[Dr Steve]

Dr Steve do I get a shot at cohosting with you??

hell yes! We'll do a segment called "Weird Dentistry". I'm in, we just gotta get Sleeves to do a theme song. :-)

[drjoek]

hell yes! We'll do a segment called "Weird Dentistry". I'm in, we just gotta get Sleeves to do a theme song. :-)

Im in

Theme Music Oh My!!

[Hottub]

hell yes! We'll do a segment called "Weird Dentistry". I'm in, we just gotta get Sleeves to do a theme song. :-)

Im in

Theme Music Oh My!!

Houston. We are Green Light to go!

Make it happen, and good luck, Drs.:clap:

[KingGeno]

Since my tard jaw brought two bright minds together, may I be the sounddrop/music intro guy man? :ohmy::ohmy::ohmy: