tooth pain on descent

[Scuba-Jay]

Alright so I'm hoping someone might be able to enlighten me a little here. I have recently experienced very localized pressure in the last tooth on the top left rack (how about that tech talk!). I had my upper wisdoms removed a number of years ago but it is the last tooth up there next to where they used to be. I went to the dentist and he could find nothing wrong (no absess or anything). This is an issue, as I am an instructor and i start a new job in Oct. This only occurs on descent and at around 30ft.

Any thoughts would be apreciated.

J

 

[Thalassamania]

I had a bad filling (small air pocket) in a tooth and it behaved just the way you describe. I had ti replaced and the problem went away.

 

[merxlin]

I had a similar problem. Dentist could not find the issue. Turned out to be a horizontal crack in the enamel right at the gumline that didn't show up in the initial xrays. Ended up becoming abscessed. My luck was that it happened just before the New Years weekend, so I got to suffer with it until they came back to work on Wednesday. My dentist felt so bad that he missed it that he didn't charge me for the root canal. I'd go back and have it checked again.

 

[sarita75]

You might be experiencing tooth squeeze. I have heard that this is possible, albeit unforunate and relatively rare. As it is my understanding -- Since there is a small opening in the middle of the tooth ("pulp chamber"), it is vulnerable to pressure changes just as sinuses are, etc. As well, bad fillings, etc. can cause additional problems.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/wilderness_tooth_squeeze/article_em.htm
and
http://www.dentistry.com/Content.aspx?AID=351

Oh, and one of the articles mentions that if you have issues with it, you can tx with anti-inflammatory medicines (OTC - advil, etc.)

 

[scubawife]

Pain in the tooth can actually come from your sinuses... I was sure I had air trapped, a bad filling or a squeeze and it ended up being sinus related. If your dentist can't find a cause, go to a dive ENT specialist.

 

[cudachaser]

Mostly likely it's your maximillary sinus acting up...tooth issues are pretty rare

 

[DocVikingo]

Mostly likely it's your maximillary sinus acting up...tooth issues are pretty rare

Hi John,

Would that be some chance be the "maxillary" sinus you are referring to?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi

The hypothesis of a sinus disorder is a plausible one. As you can see from this picture, the roots of the upper rear teeth actually enter the lining of the maxillary sinus (the peach colored area) (Maxillary Sinus View 1). Obstructions of air flow, infections and other maladies of these sinuses can and do cause tooth pain.

If a complete dental work up is unable to account for the discomfort, examination by an ENT might be in order.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

Could be sinus, but be sure of the adjacent teeth too. Dental pain can be notoriously difficult to localize to a specific tooth.