Ear pain after infected root canal treatment.

Resolved question:

Had a very infected root canal. Tooth was extracted. Now I still have the several year ear pain that was probably as a result of the chronically infected root canal. Someone pulled my ear and it hurt for two days. Am I in danger? How can I best care for my health and recovery now that my infected root canal has been extracted? Is my hurting ear and symptoms of continuing infection a matter for concern. What can be done?

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: Community

Expert:  Dr. John Monheit replied 4 Days.

The pain that you are describing is probably due to a Temporo mandibular joint injury (TMJ), which is presenting as an ear infection. TMJ is a hinge that connects the lower part of the jaw and the temporal bone in the skull. It facilitates activities like chewing, talking, yawning, side-to-side movement of the jaw. This may have developed following the tooth extraction. Temporo mandibular joint disorders usually present with pain over the face, ear, neck, and difficulty in opening the jaw, grating noise during movements of the jaw.

I would suggest you to consult your dentist for a complete examination and get an x ray of the mandible to find out the cause. I would advise you to use cold compressions over the jaw for 10 mins four times a day, consume soft diet, you to use a antibiotics like Taxim o twice a day after food for 5 days and painkiller like ibuprofen twice a day after food for 5 days to relieve the pain. It should subside with medications.

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