My temporary bridge came off - is neck pain and stiffness related to this?

Hi:In rare occasions, specially if the temporary is on the last teeth in the mouth, the bite changes due to the missing temporary  which could result in neck and jaw pain.  Also if there is nerve issue in the tooth it can trigger neck pain.  Best,Dr. Maddahi

Sorry you are having neck soreness. I am not sure if your bridge is on your back teeth or front teeth. As you know, there can be numerous factors that cause neck strain. If your bridge supports your bite then without it your bite will be unsupported causing your facial, chewing muscles to work harder holding your jaw in its proper position. When these muscles get tired, your neck muscles are called into action and can cause neck soreness. An imbalanced bite can cause neck strain, facial muscle fatigue and tightness, and even leads to headaches. I don't know how long you had your bridge off and if it was a short time (a couple days) I would be surprised that your neck would be sore. If you were prone to an unbalanced bite prior to you having any dental work then it is possible that without your bridge, your neck would be sore. You can have your dentist make you a muscle deprogrammer that fits on your front teeth only and is worn at night as you may be clenching or grinding. This device can work well to help relax your muscles. Hope this helps and be well. :)