Hi. I have written in my situation. I am scheduled for a maxillary sinus clean out in the beginning of Sept. to clean out a cyst, polyp & swollen tissue. I was going to remove a lower left side (same side as upper left jaw pain) Cracked tooth that I have had for 3 years in my mouth but decided do the sinus first because if there was any complications on the healing I don’t want to double suffer. I had a root canal & apicio on that cracked tooth after over a year of not crowning it. Endo thought it was a surface crack. I am overwhelmed with my upper left jaw so I put it off. No infection was present in the tooth with both procedures which is great! Been almost 6 months since apicio & I had a pano last month that looks like the bone is still healing slow. Have severe under jaw pain on that side & it’s a molar & the molar closest to front. I get severe jaw pain in the corner of chin & sometimes skin itches in that area. It’s been 3 years lots of xrays & so far nothing major showing. Wouldn’t it show by now? Maybe the crack is deeper causing pain. Maybe it’s another tooth or maybe nerve. I had a BAD episode July 4th for over a week. The pain is always there but boy that week was brutal. I have heard back from many people & APPRECIATE all of the responses. I am a nervous wreck & am Anxious. As for my upper left jaw- my sinuses could be playing. Key & also I have another molar with roots high in sinus & the tooth is vital but it may be inflamed causing my sinus pain however I was just told to crown that tooth. I am trying to listen to those that say DONT do anything unless there is evidence! I have evidence of sinus so I am going that route. I also might have ongoing untreated sinus because ENT’s & dentists passed me back and forth. Although no scan showed an active infection I was told to do sinus rinses & have been thrown antibiotics a ton here & there. My cracked tooth is t showing an active infection but due to the crack I just want it out. I have severe sinus pressure & pain been just dealing with it because no ct has shown an active infection but again am on meds a lot. Right now in one to see if it helps the sinus pressure which is side of nose/left nostril. I have 2 young kids & am miserable all of the time. So mad over this. Hating this with all of my heart. I lay there feeling the face pain & wondering if it’s nerve or infection or many different combos of things. I had tooth 12 extracted 2 years ago & that’s near nose so I always thought something was wrong with extraction however the last cone beam scan done last month shows it looks healed. I was told it takes a while for things to show up on an X-ray so I will have to keep keeping an eye on all areas of concern. Wish me luck for next month! Hate this anxiety. Hate hate hate it. I hate myself for not removing that cracked tooth sooner, hate myself for the last tooth extraction. Sorry for the crazy talk I am just done with this.
Fingers crossed for you. Also previously mentioned that in my case it came down to dental work and it affecting my sinus near my nose. Once I sorted out natural medication to deal with sinus nerve damage, the pain has been under control. So I hope your sinus work sorts out this issue for you once and for all. Let us know how you go.
Thanks again. I plan on doing acupuncture starting January when my benefits start over. I used my benefits towards chiropractic therapy this year. I will keep you all posted.
I have severe panic over it all.
None of this is your fault, and none of this will last forever.
I know both of those statements don’t feel true, but they are.
Maybe if you had acted on your tooth sooner, this wouldn’t have happened. You have no idea what would be different had you done that. Maybe you would have fixed your tooth, but your sinuses would have been left untreated to fester. The truth is we do not know whether the things that happen to us will turn out for the better or worse, so try not to beat yourself up. I did that a lot, but I realize now that things just happen and we can barely control any of it.
You have been in pain a long time, I’m sorry for that, but remember even pain changes and varies. Try to pay attention to the pain you feel in the moment. Welcome it, because it ain’t going nowhere right now! Just watch it. Now I can only do this without moaning and being miserable if I can lie down and do nothing. If I have to work and I am having TN pain, I am not so zen. Some days I think I have always been like this and always will be. The truth is we are never the same person we were yesterday, and my pain has change.
I say all of this having come out of Weber-Ferguson surgery. Google that if you want an upset stomach. They took out three marble-sized tumors from my sinuses, non-cancerous, but they are neurofibromas that grow out of my nerves. I’ve had 3 other craniotomies that all removed other neurofibromas. None of that is my fault, and while I’ve been dealing with the pain for nearly a decade, I know it will change. This too shall pass my friend
Thank you Willimus. I am sorry you have 10 years of pain & have had a rough ride. I know all pain sucks but I just feel like facial pain is the worst. Your situation sounds crazy & it is awful to suffer when you just want to feel normal. With me having a problem upper left side I concentrated on that area. The lower same side pain I had checked on it & had gone to many drs & all I got going for me is the crack. Now I had the root canal & apicio. Luckily it wasn’t infected. I feel it in my jaw not the tooth. My tooth is only sensitive if a dorito hits that crack the wrong way. But I get very tender in the nerve area & jaw is sensitive. I had the panoramic last month & it looked like bone was still healing. So I just decided screw it I am taking it out. Because it feels like that tooth is causing it. I agree tough decision tooth or sinus. So since I am scheduled Sept. 3 for sinus surgery clean out only- I figured I would get the tooth later that month. My mom & husband thought if I dealt with the tooth before surgery if I had any issues then I would have to cancel or suffer double pain bc I expect to be sore afterwards. So I am scheduled for the extraction Sept. 25- so I still wish I had it out this month but what are u going to do. I am not good with decisions sometimes. I will keep this site posted on my outcomes. I really don’t want to find any issues with my tooth. Please no issues.
Pain freaking sucks. It’s nice to vent on here. I repeat myself a ton. I hope you find relief from your pain.
Update *** I had that cracked tooth pulled this morning. It was not infected so that’s good. No major showing in crackage in the roots but I know for sure in the tooth part I did. I had a bad episode earlier this week where it felt like throbbing under the tooth area. Mind you it could be another tooth or just nerves. The tooth in front of the cracked tooth doesn’t even have a filling yet. The one behind is another cracked tooth that I can chew fine on. Problem was with this tooth #19- I constantly felt crack. Only extra soft foods I can eat on that side. Well time will tell. The numbing still has to wear off & I am putting ice on my face every 20 min.
I am sure I will swell up. So hoping all is good & will heal correctly. Good riddons cracked tooth.
Dear Lala1234 I have had all kinds of dental work done to my teeth because of pain even though the all the dentists I went to did not see any thing on the xrays. I later found out after root canals and tooth extractions that this was due to nerve pain called trigeminal neuralgia.I dont know your case but I would not let them do dental treatments unless it is very clear on your xrays that it is needed. I am very angry that I spent over a year going to all different dental specialist and after loosing teeth that I never needed to loose because I was blaming my pain on my teeth. Trigeminal neuralgia affects the teeth causing pain. Please find out about this because none of the doctors I saw which was many were not educated about this. It took one oral surgeon to tell me this is not your teeth you need to see a neurologist. You would think all dentist would know about this condition. Best of luck on your journey to pain relief. Be well I know how hard it is. Sincerly Doreen
Thank you for the reply. I agree with you. The only reason why I did it was because if the discomfort on the chewing crack. But even if this doesn’t solve my problem I will be happy to eat freely on that side of mouth & not have to worry about the crack. Tooth 14 & tooth 12 had an abscess problem with tooth 12 got botched. So I have to keep getting X-rays of that area (taken out 2 yrs ago) to make sure it healed correctly. I had a CBCT scan recently which shows it healing correctly but I was told things can take a while to show up on an X-ray. It was an old root canal over 25 yrs that had black at the end. But any other teeth I agree with you 100%. I am thankful for people like you who share their stories & have warned people like me. The remaining molar on that lower side looks fine on X-ray but you know how it is now my mind will go maybe it’s that back tooth… ugh but I will not do anything until evidence on that one. As numbing is wearing off things feel the same. Maybe it will take time to feel better in that area if the crack agitated it.
Or decay got in the nerve. I have had jolts in that area in past but mostly swelling in the cheek, tenderness in touching lower gum, throbbing underneath that area. The endodontist felt the bottom of the gum & I jumped & he said oh yeah you need an apicio. Well he was wrong. So I endured that procedure. Joy.
It’s SCARY as you know the feelings & it was this throbbing under the darn tooth area. The jaw in itself is tender to the touch on that side. Been to 2 Neurologist’s who dismisses it as TN. That makes me more paranoid it tooth related. I have the upper & lower left jaw issues & just having a darn blast right now.
What I don’t get is I had no work on that area so that’s why I thought tooth or maybe the cracked tooth is worse than it was. I had a procedure in my mouth 3 yrs ago in my upper gums by an ent. And boy ever since that procedure I had weird swelling on the bottom of left jaw & pain inside my mouth on that upper side. I went back to him he said nothing I did. Well maybe whoever injected me numb did something I don’t know. 2 months later my chin area closer to left side hurt so bad I called my husband crying. I get scary feelings & sensations it makes no sense. Tooth in front of it passed the cold test & has no decay & the tooth behind it is a cracked tooth & has a crown. Looks fine on X-ray. Couldn’t get a good read on cold test bc of the crown so the dental school couldn’t see an issue.
And the last possible maybe probably not but heard people mention a cavitation in my wisdom tooth?
Or maybe it’s nerve but again 2 Neurologist’s only labeled my pain atypical & the last one ugh wasn’t happy with her… she’s like I don’t specialize with the mouth soooooo & basically was like I only deal with face areas.
Sorry for venting… I must be so much fun to read about lol
Hi I just want to make sure your are aware of tn. I also had one dr. say it wasnt but was told by another neurolgist it was. It then made sense to me because even after having a tooth removed I would still get tooth pain in that area. It really does not make sense to me that not just one tooth was having a problem but a few. That seems odd. I know when the pain is in your mouth its so hard to believe its not tooth pain. I had to convience root canals specialist to do the root canal even though they did not see anything. I would say im in pain it needs to be done. if it is tn then no root canals apicos or removing teeth will stop the pain… I had to learn this the hard way which makes me angry because i thought I was going crazy wondering why in the world is this happining. Not just one tooth but a few. I think I saw a dentist at least once a week. They would proberly say hear she is again. No one understands. That is why I feel I need to reach out to you. I have a book I ordered from amazon called striking back. Its about trigeminal neuralgia. There are 2 different kinds of tn. I do not have the symtoms of the classic tn 1 but more of the number 2 this book tell you all about the dental connection. I felt like I was reading about my own case . It answered alot of what was going on. I got the book on amazon. You could also research online. Just so you know you dont have to have all the symtoms listed to have tn. I would check with another specialist. Hope you hang in there. Not trying to tell you what to do but I do wish someone had told me about this before I put myself through so much dental work that cant be reversed. I pray you find pain relief. I you want to reach out to me feel free. I can listen and understand. Doreen
just one more thing tn also causes jaw and cheek pain.
Thank you so much really. I love this site & the people on here. It means a lot. I feel like only us can truly understand the frustration in our journey & going to drs every week cause you sound like me & I am always there & I feel like they think I am nuts. We know our bodies!!!
I will check out that book on Amazon for sure. I have heard many times on here finding a good knowledgeable neurologist is key. So I will try a new one for sure & need to get put back on something bc the last neurologist never gave me anything high it was all low. My uncle says you need high to reset your brain at least that is what he was told 30 years ago. He had shingles on a nerve took years to diagnose. He was crawling on the floor in pain. Finally a neurologist gave him 200 amtrypline & he is lower now but has been on it for 30 years & days he will never get off. I will find another neurologist.
Oh one more thing in my neck I get a tight choking feel sometimes. So not sure if that’s what your talking about.
I think sometimes the doctors dont know for sure so its hard to get diagnosed. MY neurologist put me on gabapentin which they use for nerve pain. I still take it even though my facial pain has been good. They say tn can go into remission but can also return. I am having some jaw pain for a week now and its making me concerned that its the tn again. Just glad no teeth pain at this time. I dont want to go back there. Its a nightmare. One thing I have learned from this and other health issues is this too shall pass. Hold onto hope. 
Well it’s 8 days since the cracked tooth is extracted. I went to the oral surgeon yesterday for check up. She said it looks great. I did not feel any pain except sometimes discomfort in the socket at times. It’s a large lower molar. I took a chance on that tooth bc of the crack. Micro cracks don’t show up on X-ray. I know it didn’t solve my issue bc last night I touched the corner of my chin a couple of teeth away & That spot is tender to the touch. It set off pain for a while. Anyway- I won’t pull anything else I really don’t want to lose all of my teeth at 40! I just wanted to chew normally on that tooth & was hoping the crack was the cause. I guess that’s life right taking chances. Now 8 days of healing & strange sensations hoping things are going good. Oral surgeon said it looks great & to discomfort is normal but to come back with increased pain that gets worse & swelling. So fingers crossed it heals.
Dear Lala
Shades of memories of a terrible past similar to yours come to mind. I had a 3-year long diagnosis which ended finally when a specialty dentist remared that I might want to try and neurologist. After yet again all kinds of tests, I was finally able to get the correct diagnosis: TN.
I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THIS FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS.
Yes I’ve had the surgery which worked for 3 years and yes there were no promises over this surgery being the end all fix.
My TN presents itself in my back lower right molar and can move upwards along my jawline to the front of my mouth, and the pain can also take over half of my tongue. ( they never pulled teeth.)
Consequently, I shield my right side of the mouth from any cold liquid although I use that side to chew, I’m fearful at times that it will bring on months of pain. I have been using tegretol, and lamotrigine, and at the onset of any tiny little pain which surprisingly presents itself at my right cheekbone, I double up on my meds. Fortunately my doctor lets me medicate as needed, and never gives me a regiment of exactly what mg to use.
my outlook on life is different, and I look on every day as a gift from God. Interestingly, my troubles seem to follow the seasons, last June July August being a particularly severe time. Anything sweet touching my back molar will send my pain through the roof, and then the meds that I must take prohibit my driving.
I am grateful that this summer I have not had an encounter with pain. I always carry my pills in a pocket and have found that fear is the best motivator.
I use the squeeze juices, applesauce, sweet potatoes in the like for nourishment because when the pain is that severe all I can do is swallow. That said, I’ve lost weight, and kept it off, and I hear from friends "oh wow you look great!’ but most of the time I don’t share the pain that I had because as you know, most people and yes, even doctors do not understand.
All the best, and smile when you can. There are so many twists and turns, and when I look at colleagues and the troubles they’re having as they age, then I see we’re all in this together.
Hi Sandy. It’s interesting to hear everyone’s stories. I never have tongue pain like you have. Ouch I can’t imagine that. It’s interesting when you say a sweet can send your pain through the roof. I have an upper tooth that does that but they think it’s a leaky cavity so I need to get a crown on it. I wish we were pain free. I am still trying to get answers. I have many areas that I am not sure if it’s a tooth issue, sinus, or nerve. I pulled the crack tooth bc it was annoying to chew on it. But I definitely feel like maybe it’s the tooth behind it. People on here saying don’t do anything without the radiographic evidence! But it is so hard to not want to keep trying to investigate. I just had sinus surgery in my left sinus because I was back and forth from ent to dentist for a long time. If my sinus cavity was clear like a lot of people on here it’s easy to say nerve but I had low level inflammation & a cyst. So the ent removes the cyst. It is known for some people to put pressure in sinus. Plus it’s there for a reason… infection, long standing inflammation, etc. anyway- my journey is not over. Not at all. Unfortunately one extraction caused more problems. And I dream of a day I can feel like my old self.
Update* so it’s 3 weeks today with my left maxillary sinus surgery to remove a cyst & inflammation. I was told it will take a while to heal. My main problem area is next to my nose. It started after tooth 12 extraction. It flares. Sometimes not so bad sometimes very noticable. I noticed a couple of nights ago laying in bed I felt a tingly sensation in that area. Almost like a feeling of the candy pop rocks under the skin. Like it kept flickering in that area and didn’t last too long. I remember feeling that a bunch of times in the past especially after the extraction. Is that nerve related? The cyst that was removed was in the back of sinus. So this pain I have been having is ever since I had that tooth extracted. I am so mad at myself for getting that darn tooth out! I have had many many scans including a CBCT dental scan recently & the only thing that shows up is inflammation & cyst so I am happy I had that sinus procedure but it so far has not solved that area next to nose. Is it nerve? Is it sinus? Is it a tooth? Or is there an issue with that extraction site not healed correctly. All I know is I just want answers! I know I have to give myself time to heal. So I will try and be patient. Just want to know why I get funny sensation in that area, why it’s tender, why I notice next to nose It is the slightest bit swollen compared to other side. It’s so slight no one can tell but me.
What stinks is I always have more than 1 thing going on which confuses drs. The cyst & inflammation was due to the back teeth. The pain next to nose & left nostril started after extraction of tooth 12.
It’s been over a month with the lower tooth extraction and it didn’t solve anything. 2020!! Woohoo!