Fortunately, no one today has to ever experience prolonged jaw pain or the debilitating muscle spasms and headaches it leads to. There are treatments and procedures to help stop the pain. But first, you’ll need to find out what’s causing the pain. One common issue is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder). Then again, another possible cause is if you’re experiencing issues with your wisdom teeth.

Even if there is no general impaction with your third molars and they seem healthy, they can still cause jaw pain. What should you do if you suspect your pain might be caused by wisdom teeth issues? Learn more below from OMSH, so you can get the help you need and address concerns head-on.

Jaw Pain and Wisdom Teeth – What’s the Link?

The diagnosis of jaw pain isn’t always as straightforward as we would like it to be. You could have an issue with a wisdom tooth that is causing pain in your jaw. Conversely, you could have TMJ disorder, which can cause tooth sensitivity.

It isn’t uncommon for patients to think they have dental decay or an infection in one or more of their wisdom teeth because the pain is so severe. Upon examination, the issue isn’t always the teeth – it’s referred pain from the jaw.

Similarly, jaw pain can be a cause of:

  • Wisdom tooth eruption
  • Impacted wisdom teeth
  • Dental decay of a wisdom tooth
  • Gum disease (due to difficulty cleaning the wisdom teeth)
  • Misaligned teeth (eruption of the third molar can also lead to crowding and alignment issues)

However, the link between the two is the nerves of the head and jaw. Misalignment of the teeth or jaw strains the muscles and tendons of the head and neck. The brain sends pain signals through the nerves, which feed the muscles of the jaw as well as the teeth, making it difficult to determine what’s causing the pain.

What Should You Do If You Experience Wisdom Teeth or Jaw Pain?

If you’re in pain, you can always contact your dental practitioner. With diagnostic testing, dentists can determine the cause of pain and recommend a surgical treatment plan with an oral surgeon.

Tests include:

    • Photographs
    • X-rays
    • Dental impressions
    • Facial measurements
    • Bite recordings

How an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon Can Help

If your jaw pain is the result of a wisdom tooth problem, your surgeon can extract the tooth.

Or, you may need orthognathic surgery if the pain is due to TMJ disorder or jaw misalignment. The surgery repairs the jaw, improving its function and relieving tension. The result is a significant reduction or complete elimination of jaw pain.

In cases of TMJ disorder, surgery isn’t always indicated. The surgical team of OMSH will work with your dentist to determine the best treatment plan for your unique case.

Put Your Dental Care in the Hands of an Experienced Team

The dental physicians and oral surgeons of OMSH have decades of combined dental experience. They’ve received – and continue to receive – extensive training so that they can provide you with the best care. If you need to have a simple or complex wisdom tooth extraction, you can trust they will provide exceptional, compassionate care.

Are you ready to put an end to jaw pain? Call OMSH for immediate assistance at 713-804-6055, or contact us online by sending us a message. We’re always happy to assist you!