This is only my opinion, but I would think that pulling only the wisdom teeth on one side, the right side, could have caused the start of your "TMJ" symptoms - namely migraine-like headaches, sensitivity to sound, left ear, one-sided pain, etc. Because you had braces as a teen, your teeth were shifted (that's the whole point), but if you see x-rays of the roots, the roots don't completely shift to the new position leaving the teeth in unstable positions. It's one reason why more people wear retainers for longer times than they used to. The bite is just not as stable as a non-braces person.

Therefore, when you had the wisdom teeth pulled on the right side only, your balance was messed up. If you had been wearing a retainer before and continued to wear it, an imbalance might not have occurred. If both sides had been pulled, it might have been okay if the actual surgery didn't do any harm (which it does sometimes).

If you are wondering why the pain is left-sided, that is actually normal. I can't tell you the medical reason why but it does have to do with balance and that both sides of the jaw act as one even tho they are two. Your jaws make up your jaw. Funny statement I know.

I must tell you again that what I am telling you is what I believe I have learned thru the 27 years of living with TMJ and doing the research that I have all these years. I'm also not very good at remembering where I got this information as it was a compilation of several sources over several years.

I can tell you what I would do in your case but you must get several opinions, in my opinion, from specialists and other TMJ sufferers before deciding on a course of action.

I would probably have the left wisdom teeth pulled by a very reputable oral surgeon who is very knowledgeable about TMJ and won't do a lot of forcing or keeping the mouth open for too long.

BUT, I also believe you will then need to have your bite corrected from the damage of one side having more teeth than the other side. Balance is so extremely important. Am I repeating myself?

Your bite is probably NOT balanced at this time and you are not getting good quality sleep. The two go together frequently. You may also be clenching or grinding. And yes, this imbalance can cause all the headaches and neck and shoulder pains you mention. I know from experience. And if you are wondering, my TMJ is now very manageable and pain-free a good 95% of the time and that is even with severe degenerative arthritis.

Finding a dentist (or dentists) is going to be your biggest obstacle. When DyanM gets back, she can look up neuromuscular dentists in your area for you. You might also do some research to see if you can find a place that practices Functional Joint Orthotics (FJO).

You can do this, but I must make one major recommendation - NO GUM CHEWING EVER AGAIN!!! You also might want to consider a no-chew/soft foods diet for a while (I do eat a large salad almost everyday so it shouldn't be permanent). Rest your jaw. Use ice and/or moist heat. Talk as little as possible and be careful about yawning. Stifle them, if you can, with a fist under the chin. And watch your posture, especially in front of the computer.

Please keep me abreast as to what and how you do the next few months or so. I'll be here for you and try to answer any questions you might have, but remember, this is only one person's ideas - mine!

Take care and God bless you,
Carol

stay away from gum---ive not chewed it in 15 years. if you need help with finding a doctor let me know--ill help you with it.

also--neuromuscular dentists do functional joint orthotics