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Face and Jaw Surgery

Swelling at left jaw bone area

10/19/2005

Question:

About two years ago I noticed minor swelling on my left side in front of my ear at my jaw area. There really is very little pain, but the swelling has increased just within the last 2 weeks. I find that I clench my jaw through out the day and also wake up aware of it at night. Could this be TMJ and should I start with a dentist or doctor for evaluation?

Answer:

Swellings and bumps that develop over a short period of time and persist afterwards are the kind of thing you want somebody to look at.  I don't mean to scare you, but this could be as simple as a contracted muscle all the way up to some sort of growth in the salivary glands or other structures of the face.  Only a comlete evaluation by a trained professional can determine the nature of this finding.  I would encourage you to do so.

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Response by:

Guillermo E Chacon, DDS Guillermo E Chacon, DDS
Formerly:
Associate Professor of Dentistry
College of Dentistry
The Ohio State University