The functional challenges for patients who have had teeth extracted or pulled back in their face (extraction/retraction treatment) range from developing headaches, neck aches, clicking and/or locking in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ’s), pain or a full feeling in or around the ears, ringing in the ears. Some even complain of difficulty breathing or sleeping, fatigue, developing snoring and/or Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) where they stop breathing at night.  Many feel that their lower jaw would like to be more forward, but cannot be forward because the upper teeth are in the way.  Some report having developed balance issues, changes in a singing voice, or more frequent sinus infections.

Thankfully, not all extraction/retraction patients develop these symptoms. For others, the symptom pattern may not be limited to these symptoms alone and patients present with various combinations of symptoms. Often these patients have been to many professionals seeking answers but come away with no explanation of the reason for their symptoms or any possible remedies other than perhaps a prescription for painkillers.  Some have been dealing with a pain pattern for so long that they develop an addiction to painkillers, which only adds to the functional challenges.