Using a "stent" for oral and facial pain

General General TN & GPN (Old Site)
1

Hi friends.

About a year ago my doctor offered me a stent, but for whatever reason, I dismissed it. A few months ago, I met a woman on Facebook who had gotten one, and not only did it help her oral pain, it helped her face pain too. So I went back and got one...

A "stent" is a plastic device made from a mold of your mouth, that fits perfectly without being too invasive. Before inserting it, you smear a compound of medications on the inside surface. This delivers meds through the mucous membranes in your mouth, without them getting all over your tongue, lips, etc. There are people that believe that this delivery method is more effective than pills or creams through the skin. (see link for further detail)

A specific compound of meds are made based on your symptoms. The compound is a gel/cream/paste that you apply to your stent periodically and wear throughout the day. So far I am only using Benzocaine and Capsaicin, but ultimately many meds can be added. For me, we might add Neurontin, Amitriptyline, Ketaprofen, Ketamine, Benzocaine, and the Caspsaicin. The other girl I met who had success had nine meds in her compound.

The reason we're hesitating on adding the other meds is because lately I've had a few periods of a few hours with no pain (I never thought I'd get a second free of pain again in my life), my doctor wants to wait and see if this trend continues. If not, we add the additional meds mentioned above.

http://jada-plus.com/content/131/2/184.full

I've provided a link to an article in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) that has much detail about this, but it is 10 years old. It has a picture of the stent, which is what mine looks like. The other girl I met had one on the roof of her mouth because her pain was facial, whereas mine is just in the teeth (knock on wood).

I only have pain in my teeth, but it has helped me. And the girl who convinced me to get it, she had facial pain and it helped her. It's not a wonder cure, but it's something for those of you with 24/7, burning, aching pain to consider.

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Hi Crystal,

Thank you for sharing this. I hope you get more and more pain free periods. This information is very interesting. My trigger point is in my gum (where my tooth used to be). After a failed MVD and so many alternative treatments and medications, I am still searching for a solution. My painful episodes come in waves lasting anywhere from a few minutes to several excruciating days in a row. I read the article on your link and this sounds like a great idea. I sometimes have gone to my dentist just to get a shot of novocaine to get a few hours of relief during a flare-up.

Was it an oral surgeon who made the stent? Do you wear it all of the time? I am looking forward to learning more about this. Take care.

Janine

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Hi Janine,

I got mine from a facial pain specialist who is a DDS. He doesn't do any "normal" dentistry, just handles cases like ours. However, I'm sure if you showed that article to your doctor/dentist, they might be able to make one for you, or refer you to someone else. I only know of two doctors who make them, one in Los Angeles and the other in New Jersey. I've got to believe that there are others...

I don't wear it when I eat, though I'm keeping it on while I drink. Originally I was only wearing it when I had mid to high pain levels, but lately I've been wearing it all I can, because from what I understand, the more I wear it, the more likely I'll be able to have pain free periods and possibly not need to wear it.

Feel free to ask any other questions.

4

This sounds very encouraging. The dentist I have now is very familiar with my case and never mentioned this option. It does sound very specialized. I will send him the article and see what he says. I wonder if your dentist would know of colleagues in my area (San Jose)? Thank you again for the great information.

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I sent you a private message. :slight_smile:

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this stent is only for oral pain, not palate cheek pain. is that correct.

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The other girl I know who has one got it for facial pain - hers was molded to wear on the roof of her mouth. She was the one who convinced me…

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It’s not just about numbing the location, but also about the compound of meds, and how they’re absorbed through the mucous membranes, and sometimes that can be more effective than taking the drugs orally. The article can explain it way better than me!

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im trying to figure out who could make it here. so glad you are better. on to to see head and neck surgeons. thanks to red.

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There is pain specialist from shands in jacksonville who may do this. He is a dentist as well. I actually hav an appt. Ypu stay better. Many university centers handle oral pain and have dentists.

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Awesome Elaine! Let me know how it goes if you guys talk about this at your appt...

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i assure you that you and end everyone here will know what is going on. You were instrumental in bringing up this idea. we honestly need to keep the dialogue flowing. Im praying it helps and theres more out there.

lots of hugs and I could really use one right now.

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Hi Crystal,

This is great information. My "teeth/mouth" bother me so much! I hope I can try this. Thank for posting!

Debbie

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I have a stent as well. if anyone is in Massachusetts, I can recommend the DDS/Orofacial Pain Specialist who made mine. I experienced some initial success with it and that has fallen, but we are now going to start looking into compund meds. I am currently just using numbing gel and capsaicin.

So, while it hasn't been the magic bullet for me, it has given me hope. I have very, very few minutes in the day when I am not in pain, and the fact that I experienced even some relief from this has kept me going.

ETA: Janine, your case and mine sound very similar. Mine is dental in origin and the area of greatest pain is where I used to have a tooth. Just yesterday I was in horrible pain and I kept saying that I wish I could just go and get a shot of Novocain. Interesting that your dentist actually does that. I will ask mine when I see him again.

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That is very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

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I hope you are feeling a little better today. Anything for a little relief…



dmloud said:

I have a stent as well. if anyone is in Massachusetts, I can recommend the DDS/Orofacial Pain Specialist who made mine. I experienced some initial success with it and that has fallen, but we are now going to start looking into compund meds. I am currently just using numbing gel and capsaicin.

So, while it hasn't been the magic bullet for me, it has given me hope. I have very, very few minutes in the day when I am not in pain, and the fact that I experienced even some relief from this has kept me going.

ETA: Janine, your case and mine sound very similar. Mine is dental in origin and the area of greatest pain is where I used to have a tooth. Just yesterday I was in horrible pain and I kept saying that I wish I could just go and get a shot of Novocain. Interesting that your dentist actually does that. I will ask mine when I see him again.

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Crystal, I am so happy to read this article. Although I will file it away for myself if the current regime fails, the main reason I am so happy is for you. I know you have and the most awful pain yet still try to help others so truly you do deserve some relief. It makes sense to me. The mucous membranes are very receptive to pain relief. Indeeed many are given pain relief through another orifice quite a long way from the mouth after abdominal surgery here in the UK and it is very common on the Continent. To have your pain relief at point of sale so to speak makes sense too. I am hoping for good things for you, all the best.

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Hi, Crystal!

Thank You a lot for sharing this opportunity of healing!

I am surprised sometimes people here are so supportive and energetic, I know how

hard it is to help others when you are in pain yourself 24/7...

I also have "stent", but I got it for bruxism (grinding of the teeth at night), I will tell about it to my neuro!

I am happy for your pain free hours and I felt so week when I red your message, that you thought that your

life will be never pain free...When I am starting to think like that I don't wanna live like that :(

You are very strong person!

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thrilled for you. Will it work on the palate- opposite direction. sternberg who i saw for blocks is also a dentist.

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Hi Stase, thanks for the kind words. It is hard to help others while in pain, but it gives me much satisfaction and makes me feel like I'm doing something, so it's good for me.

A stent is a little different than a night guard, but they are made the same way. My stent doesn't go around my teeth - it just fits (like suction almost) against the gums above the offending teeth.

Elaine, I know a woman who had her stent made for her palate, and she's the one that convinced me. Maybe next time you see your doc you should print out the article for him to read. But yes, she had facial pain, so hers was made to sit on the roof of her mouth, and she was successful. So I'd be surprised if it didn't help you somewhat.