Wisdom Teeth and Severe TMJ

I've had pretty bad TMJ since getting my braces removed 9 years ago, popping jaw every time I open it, locking closed with pain (especially when dehydrated, under stress or having my mouth open too long)and difficulty opening my jaw all the way. I've worried about getting my wisdom teeth removed ever since because of how long and wide my mouth would have to be open for the surgery. About a month ago the third tooth was coming through and hurt so bad, could literally only open my mouth about 1 1/2 finger widths at the time, I finally decided to take the risk. It's been about 8hrs since they've been removed, 1 horizontally impacted, 1 partial eruption and 2 that came in normally and to my surprise there's no difference that I can tell.

Despite my initial thought of just getting numbed and staying awake I decided to get put to sleep and believe that was by far the best decision, no memory, relaxed and still got numbed like I would have had I been awake. I told the surgeon about my condition and he mentioned to me that my jaw would be resting into a brace while I was under and that my jaw would be open about 3/4 of the way. I had laughing gas prior to being put out to help me relax which I believe really helped ease the joint. If I was awake to hear and see it all I think I would have become nervous and stressed and my jaw would have tightened up making things a lot worse. I still have yet to see how things go in the following weeks after things heal and I'm removed from the drugs but from I can tell right now my jaw feels identical. Really makes me wish I would have done it sooner, perhaps my teeth would be a little straighter (wisdom teeth pushed my straightened teeth crooked) since I put it off so long fearing I would barely be able to use my jaw the rest of my life.

hannahxhurricane-

I developed TMJ-like symptoms after having my wisdom teeth taken out. Knowning what I know now, I would have let them in. Please think of it this way... Humans have had wisdom teeth about a million years longer than they have had the means to remove them. At the very least if you can tolerate the teeth breaking through your gums the removal will be easier on you. Good luck sweetie!

i just got my wisdom teeth taken out on march 16 the dentist keep bugging me about it so i did it. everything was going good until i started getting pain on the left side of my face and bad headaches i went to the doctor to day and they told me i'm having muscle spasm from my mouth being open from the remove the thing is how do u get rid of the pain medicine works for a little while but it seem like the more medicine u take the more Ur body begins to fight off the medicine which leads to more pain can anybody help me the pain is so bad what can i do to stop the muscle spasms

You should be concerned. Extraction of wisdom teeth is traumatic to an injured jaw joint. No question. i would avoid this procedure until you get you jaw looked at.
Because you can only open 30mm, how would anyone work on removing your wisdom teeth without straining in my impression an already dislocated disc.

A qualified tmj dentist can inject the joint with licocaine and mobilize it to get you open again. Then be prepared to wear splints 3-6 months to rehabilatate to normalcy.

the sooner your start the better your chances of success.

2netta, re-read my message carefully before attempting to attack my post.
That is not very professional but I forgive you.

I was responding to the original question.