Does TMJ Cause Ear Symptoms?

[@barbaragrove6097]

I have concerns about dental cleanings and any work that might be needed (filling, crown, root canal). I have rescheduled a few cleanings, worried that my joint will displace and/or get locked. Any tips how to navigate dental work with one disc now displaced and subsequent poor joint function? Thanks.

[@marioalday5966]

i can tell i suffered tinnitus for several weeks in a row, then my doctor prescribed a muscle relaxer, and tinnitus went away two days later. So in my case i would sat tinnitus is related to tmj.

[@mv8908]

Yes that's true

[@johnnyedify]

I have also had that result. So the tinnitus is somatic in nature.

[@robynwillis2830]

What kind of muscle relaxant?

[@marioalday5966]

@@robynwillis2830 Cyclobenzaprine

[@BuffaloTMJ]

I would conclude that your tinnitus was caused by chronic muscle tension, not "TMJ." Remember, TMJ refers to the jaw JOINTS. Muscle relaxant help to relax muscles.

[@NinoMaluri]

What I like about you is that you look at the details. I haven't found an ENT, a maxillofacial surgeon, an oral surgeon or a dentist that even cared about how my jaw clicks. The same about the ear stuff, where I put my finger in my ear all the way and feel my condyle rubbing/clicking onto something as I open my mouth up and down. I've been falling apart for the past 6 months. I have swollen lymph nodes under my right ear, behind my right ear, on the right on my neck. My jaw clicks on the right, and my right tonsil is swollen. And since 3 days ago, I have ringing/buzzing in my ear/head. I guess that's tinnitus :( I have no infections, no allergies, no chronic conditions. I take no drugs, legal or illegal. I have no health problems. I actually had an apicoectomy on a lower right tooth about 10 days ago due to a shade at the root tip of a tooth seen on an xray. An oral surgeon felt that the abscess may be responsible for my swollen lymph nodes. It didn't help anything. My life, is falling apart... But in trying to make sense of all this, I've been researching and thinking, and I think I have a plausible theory... After I got a crown on a lower right tooth, my bite was off, and I started having daily headaches. 3 months later I got my bite changed after a filling and grinding down of another crown, and the headaches stopped. All this work was on the right side of my mouth. But then a few days later my jaw clicked for the first time, and started hurting a lot. Over the next month the pain subsided almost entirely, but the clicking increased. Eventually, my ear started hurting. Sometimes I feel like I can feel my jaw click into my ear. I'm not going to go into all the details, but the theory is that the bad bite made my condyle go in an unnatural place in the socket. I had headaches as a reaction to that. What I really had was low-level inflammation, which made my lymph nodes swell up slowly but surely. But then after 3 months of having that low level inflammation constantly, something had to give, and a muscle or a ligament or the articular disc got injured, resulting in pain and jaw clicking. Things progressed from there with more inflammation, ear pain, etc. All things considered, I actually have no pain believe it or not. The only pain I can experience is by pressing on my right ear. But it's not the ear itself. Like, it's not the external structure of the ear that hurts. It's whatever is under the damn ear. And it hurts quite a lot, but only if I press on it. I have a splint coming up as soon as my apicoectomy heals. If the splint is too tight, or I just can't handle wearing it close to 24/7, I'm gonna have to figure out a way to mobilize my jaw in some way. Because a splint won't stabilize my jaw entirely. I'll still be able to open and close it, and move it left and right. But I'm thinking a better way to do it would be to, like, wire it shut. Just fucking put it in a cast, like you would a broken leg. Can't open it, can't move it, can't do nothing with it. And leave it like that for a week. Then see how my ear feels. If the pain gets reduced or goes away completely, then, well, then I have a way to stop the ear problem, and then I also know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's my jaw (para)function that's causing my ear inflammation. And if my ear inflammation goes, and then my lymph nodes start calming down, it's like problem solved. From then on it's just a matter of stopping my jaw from rubbing on whatever it's rubbing on in there that's causing the inflammation. Change my bite, inject me with PRP/PRF/Prolotherapy, something. Get my condyle to move a millimeter to the left permanently somehow. If I had the money and the ability to visit the US without jumping through tons of hoops, I'd totally come to you.

[@BuffaloTMJ]

Immobilization is not the answer. Think about hip replacement surgery. Immobilizing a joint is usually detrimental. The sooner it can be mobilized, the better. They get people up and walking the same day now! You probably need some imaging, in particular an MRI to evaluate the structures and see if anything is actually out of position. It might not be. I'm often surprised. I would try something like an aqualizer for a few days and see how you feel.

[@BuffaloTMJ]

And when you get your splint, take a look at my app. It's called TMJ Rehab (by TMJ Seminars)

[@NinoMaluri]

@@BuffaloTMJ It's pointless my friend. I traveled to another country to get an MRI done with the mouth opened and closed. Like the golden standard of TMJ MRI. The MRI was looked at by 2 maxillofacial surgeons, a radiologist, a TMJ guy, and a physical therapist. They all read it differently. I thought the MRI would clear some things up, but I was wrong. The MRI is like asking someone if the sky is blue. And then depending on the person, you get different answers. It's blue, it's light blue, it's white, it's blue and white. In the end, an MRI means nothing if you don't have god himself to look at it and tell you what it really shows. So to me, the MRI was quite pointless :( I also had 2 CBCT scans, and a few regular xrays of teeth, as well as an xray of my TMJ with my mouth closed and opened. In fact, all the 20-30 doctors I've seen in the past 6 months have been quite a waste of time, money and energy. I probably got more useful info out of your videos than all of the ENTs, TMJ guys, maxillofacial surgeons and dentists combined. I'll look into the aqualizer, thanks. My plan is to use a snore strap and/or a neck cast (or both) to stabilize my jaw as much as possible 24/7. When I eat, I'll only eat baby food, which requires no chewing. I'll drink my tea and water through a straw. I won't talk to anyone, I won't laugh, I'll limit my jaw movements as much as possible. I'll do that for 7-10 days. If my jaw/condyle movement is what's causing inflammation around the TMJ/ear on the right, then stopping/limiting this movement should allow my body to heal the area. I also have a splint coming in a few days, as soon as my apicoectomy heals. I'll probably incorporate that into it so that it removes my occlusion from the equation. If my occlusion is responsible for my jaw dysfunction, I want to take occlusion out of it, and the splint should do that. Unfortunately, I have no idea if the splint is gonna be any good, but there's nothing I can do about it, unless I make it myself. My entire theory here relies on a quote from the movie Fight Club :p "Marla, the little scratch on the roof of your mouth that would heal if only you would stop tonguing it, but you can't." - Fight Club "TMD, the little inflammation on the base of your ear that would heal if only you would stop irritating it, but you can't." - Edited And this is what's gonna happen... My jaw/condyle will stop moving and stop irritating the inner ear and the soft tissue around it. My body will now be able to heal the area. Once the area is healed, my ear will stop hurting. Additionally, my lymph nodes and tonsil will calm down because the inflammation won't be present anymore. My research indicates that lymph nodes can swell in an area due to injury. Great, so that's why mine are swollen in the area where my TMJ is dysfunctional. I may also incorporate some sort of anti-inflammatory cream to rub on the TMJ daily, and maybe even some anti-inflammatory drug. Maybe I take a muscle relaxant too. I'm not sure about these yet. I need to do more research. I just want the inflammation to heal, and I'm hoping to accomplish it by limiting the movement of my TMJ as much as possible. I'm also gonna take collagen collagen, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and bromelain daily. These are supposed to help with TMJ/disc. And I'll also take large doses of Vitamin C throughout the day, to keep the levels of vitamin C in my blood high. And I'll do this for 7-10 days. In the end, we'll see if there's any improvement. Sorry for the long message. I'm depressed, I'm scared, I'm worried, and I'm alone. I've been to so many doctors, and no one cares, no one knows anything, no one listens, no one educates, no one explains, no one wants or is able to help. So I'm left experimenting by myself. And if I make it worse, well, at least I tried...

[@theavanrensburg8196]

It’s as if you’re telling my story. Mine is going for 10 years now! O yes, also a sore throat on the right side. So it’s TMJ, ear and throat. I’ve been to all kinds of drs and specialists, and no help from anyone. The last ENT specialist told me to have a glass of wine when I get home. Why is there no help with this problem!! 😢

[@nathaliesavoury7736]

@ninomaluri how are you doing now?

[@mariapanduro8897]

Love that your offering the app i just started having symptoms a month ago and im desperate for help

[@WOBBLEMASTER]

Got any tips? Both sides started popping and frankly I’m sick of begging my doctor for help.

[@Lu2283]

With TMJ can the ear pressure sensation come and go? My ear issue happens daily and lasts about 3-6 hours. I went to an ENT and no fluid or infection.

[@Kloops]

Five days ago my left ear started hurting badly. I went to my family doctor. He looked in my ear. Everything looked perfect he said. A tiny speck of wax was there and that’s it. Yet my pain is an 8. I go home, take ascot and the next day the jaw hurts on that side for the first time. So I call the dentist. He knows I have an appointment to have three teeth removed on that same side at the end of this month. He called in amoxicillin. The ear pain isn’t as bad in the mornings. May be because I limit my Advil to night time due to stomach issues. I am at the end of day four of the amoxicillin. Same pain in the ear and jaw as days one and two of when the pain started. My jaw feels tight on not sides but the pain is only on the left. I feel like my ear drum wants to explode. I feel so much pain. I don’t like taking pain meds so I do what I can to hold out. I don’t do drugs including marijuana or any form. So anyway I have had some itching here and there on the right and left side. I also get a shooting sharp pain in the ear every once I. A while. I just know I feel like a baby having the worst pain right now. I also have thifeekibg of clgrinding and sound of grinding in the back of my head/skull when I turn my head from side to side. I’m falling apart lol. Ouch. It’s a tumor right, it’s not a tumor.

[@BuffaloTMJ]

Tooth pain can mimic ear pain. If I had to guess, I'd say that's most likely the root (pun intended) of your pain. A CBCT scan of you jaw joints wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[@mv8908]

Sounds like tmjd.. did you find a diagnosis?

[@Kloops]

@@mv8908 had a sinus infection and ear infection and bad teeth needing dental implants.

[@pepopepez105]

I have a slight hearing loss in the left ear, and tinnitus, it doesn't hurt at all but when I force my jaw forward or to the sides, preventing movement with my hand, the tinnitus goes high while I'm exerting pressure, this could relate my problem auditory with the jaw? what is it due to?

[@MantasDoesVideos]

Hey please respond, When i move my jaw forwards i feel pain and sometimes a grinding sound but i also hear the high pitch crackling sound sometimes on my healthy side and i hear some clicking in my ear could the noises just be comming from the ears and im just experiencing pain not from tmj i also feel just as much pain in my ear as in my jaw and it comes directly from the ear cuz this just be a eat inflammation and im overreacting? also when i watched your video how to diagnose your self from tmj i tried breathing exersises and telling my self its in my head i started noticing my symptoms got better also i feel high pressure in my gums where my wisdom teeth would grow im 13 years old if that helps

[@BuffaloTMJ]

At 13 you're probably still growing, so there's a lot going on. If you're having symptoms, it's not a bad idea to have a dentist who knows about these things take a look, mostly just to make sure the joints are functioning properly, and the upper and lower jaws are developing the way they should be. The breathing exercises help the muscles relax, and this is very helpful most of the time. Tight muscles cause lots of problems.

[@MantasDoesVideos]

@@BuffaloTMJ Thanks for relpying last day when i was going to sleep i found out i have huge pressure where the pain would be and my muscles are very stressed when i tried i found that out i felt a lot more relief and my pain was almost fully gone I also found out my ear has been doing very weird popping and high pith and low pitch crackling sounds same for my nose but the best thing that happend just now is i finaly can eat on my painfull side

[@VanCityGal]

After having servere TMD for 20 years, the one thing I know is that all the TMD "experts" don't know shit. I don't believe anyone anymore.

[@upload2352]

As a cohort of one, I can speak only to my own experience, but my health care providers clearly linked my onset of hearing issues (starting w/hyperacusis, then tinnitus, then ear discomfort, fullness/popping, etc.) to masseter and pterygoid muscle injury resulting from 3 extended dental visits (2 crowns and a root canal) that spanned 3 months (Nov 2020 to Feb 2021). The injury(ies) also resulted in posterior malocclusion (left side, same as extended time root canal), and condyle asymmetry on jaw protrusion, as well as a muscle bump/knot just below the left condyle. Prior to the dental work, I had no TMJ or hearing issues of any kind. I was told these injuries (basically, sprained jaw muscles/tendons) likely occurred due to holding my mouth open wide for the extended dental visits, without a break, and without a Bite Block that would hold my mouth open without my muscles tensed for 30-40 minutes at a time. I was also told that my seated head-forward posture likely contributed to the problem, as you've described in a previous video. My audiologist of 10 years (who'd pronounced my hearing "perfect" only 1 year before), said when I went in for the hearing issues that I had not yet linked to the dental work, "its very common to have hearing issues after major dental work - they should pass in a few weeks." While they did not pass in a few weeks, my point here is that my audiologist, through his clientele, appeared to be aware of the link between hearing issues being caused by dental work. While going through the treatment, which included internal/external trigger point releases to both sides of the face, I found I could easily exacerbate the hearing issues by doing the left side releases and massage (which caused temporary inflammation). In addition to the muscle damage, apparently, when you hyperextend the jaw (opening, not protrusion) during a dental visit, you are also applying excessive pulling force to the TMJ capsule that impacts the otomandibular ligaments that affect hearing - those ligaments may never again be the same, I understand. That, and the entrapment of little branches of the trigeminal nerve within the damaged muscle tissue, apparently contribute to the problem. Even today, I can massage a trigger point at the bottom masseter attachment and get little nerve buzzes in my cheek. I can increase the tinnitus by clenching. I also consulted a jaw surgery specialist to see if something "hard" needed fixing, but he said "that looks like soft tissue." 1.5 years, and about $5k in dental splints, phys therapy, and therapeutic massage, later, I'm finally coming out the other side of this dentally-induced nightmare. The hearing symptoms are significantly reduced, enough to live with, and I finally can get my left molars to meet without feeling extreme tension on the TMJ. I still have significant left side condyle protrusion asymmetry, and I still have 2 daily painful spots to massage/release, in the middle of the masseter and at the jaw (left side, only). While I didn't have significant jaw clicking during earlier phases of the treatment, I now have a significant click/pop (left side) that appears linked to the painful masseter spot. At no time did I have TMJ pain, however. As mentioned, I also now have a vertical band/bump of muscle/tendon(?) just below the left condyle that wasn't there before. My message to anyone reading this is to make sure your dentist uses a Bite Block and gives you breaks during extended procedures. Also, correct your head-forward posture issues that may set you up for problems at the dentist.

[@moonlitsky5744]

I’m really happy for to be coming out the other side. What was the main role of the splints and physio? Did the splints push the jaw forward so condyles are further from the ear canal.

[@upload2352]

@@moonlitsky5744 Since I posted the above, the left-side clicking is much reduced, though the other hearing symptoms (left-side-pronounced tinnitus/hyperacusis) remain as described, as do the masseter pain/release points. Main Role of Splint - The splint (just one - like a plastic "U" that fits over the bottom teeth to keep them apart from the top teeth) does not push the jaw forward, but it does keep the jaw from rocking back into the closed/occluded position (molars touching), which position irritates/inflames the TMJ. Condyle position is not affected by the splint. Because we unconsciously clench our jaw fully closed during sleep, and as that irritates/inflames the TMJ, increasing symptoms, it's beneficial to sleep with the jaw in an unclenched posture so it can't fully close. That's the purpose of the custom splint. I know of at least one other provider who advocates using the splint during the day for the first few weeks following injury, then restricts to nighttime use. My dentist said just use it at night. I stopped using it after a couple of months, and noticed I was able to obtain left-side occlusion quicker and more easily when I did not use the splint, though the splint does reduce the TMJ irritation. Main Role of Physical Therapy - I was lucky to find a PT person who had focused her training/work in large part on TMJ issues. You'll find PTs like to specialize in various areas, so consider calling PT places and asking if they have a PT who specializes (for lack of a better word) in TMJ issues. PT (whose father is a retired dentist!) helped me to understand how the muscles were damaged during the dental work, and the relationship between head-forward posture and dentally induced TMJ issues. She also helped me understand the muscle/tendon healing process, and the various muscles affected by my injury. She explained how applying pressure to trigger points not only helped relieve discomfort, but allowed also the tissue to relax and bring in new blood, promoting healing. For several months, I had multiple such trigger points (internal and external) on both sides of my face. Some were obvious, while others were revealed only by poking around. Little by little, I stopped having trigger points on the right side (first, internal, then external), and the ones on the left are, as noted, down to 2 (external). Specific to the TMJ, she provided several exercises intended to retrain the brain/jaw coordination that had gone out of synch due to the TMJ damage, as one of my original complaints was the jaw moving hard to the left side upon opening (that's been corrected). I found both the splint and PT to be essential parts of my healing process, but several KZbin channels were also valuable. In addition to this one, check out Priya Mistry, DDS - the TMJ Doc channel. She's got a lot of good release and splint info there.

[@moonlitsky5744]

@@upload2352 Thanks for sharing what has worked for you, as I’m only about to start this myself. I was at the hospital yesterday and they told ,e I may need another surgery but need to take another CT scan. I have no idea what it will show but I feel bony parts in front of the ear on the side that was closed super tight when I had the Erich arch bars on, (removed 10 days ago). I haven’t had much of a health issue before but it seems with this condition, I have to push for the docs to review my case. I will definitely ask for a splint then. Seems you had a great PT, I hope I can also find one like yours. Yes I have seen videos of Priya Mistry which I found only one of a few who almost describe how I’m feeling. I’m in too much pain to practice those exercises atm. But will definitely try it in future as I can only open 25mm.

[@upload2352]

@@moonlitsky5744 Yikes. It sounds like your situation is quite different from mine. I had muscle tension/discomfort, limited jaw opening, etc., but no real pain, and no need for surgery. Surgeon said there was no need for a CT scan, in my case. I don't know anything about Erich arch bars, and don't know if a splint is advised or potentially beneficial in your case, so proceed with caution, ask your doctors, etc. I know the frustration of dealing with health care providers who want to keep you in a particular box for their benefit, but all I can suggest is for you to keep an open mind on all possible causes, cures, while advocating your position/desires to them. Best of luck to you.

[@moonlitsky5744]

@@upload2352 Sorry I didn’t mention that mine was a result from a trauma to the jaw causing 2 fractures. They only used a titanium plate on one fracture. The fracture just below the condyle head was not displaced, so they use a technique to wire shut the jaw for 6 weeks, in my case almost 7 as they didn’t have time for me. This is where all my TMJ issues started, about 4 weeks into jaw closure, not from the trauma but from the wired jaw closure where my teeth where touching for all this time. Thanks, I sure will need it.

[@S4hshs7]

Thanks!

[@mattmaloney2445]

When my lower jaw moves laterally to my left. I'm getting a pop followed by intense pain in my ear that feels like liquid is coming out (which is not the case) This lasts about 30 seconds. I saw a doctor who looked deep into my ear with a light and found no issue. I suspect I have an issue with the disc. the 2nd pressure test you recommended showed this region to be possibly inflamed and tender. I am resting my jaw and avoiding hard foods. Will it self-repair?

[@lesgl]

I have the symptoms at the 4 min mark..the very sore area in area of the ear as described..inflamation of the TMJ is mentioned..how would this be treated??? i have just had a MRI of the TMJ

[@BuffaloTMJ]

What did the MRI show?

[@taufiqmujahidin1855]

Terima kasih brother

[@k2ashley]

Can’t see the app yet on Apple , hopefully it’s up soon.

[@ds74878]

Is it possible that having bad orthodontics when you were young and still growing can kind of relocate the entire TMJ joint region?

[@BuffaloTMJ]

I'm not sure what bad orthodontics is, but the goal of orthodontics is to help guide the teeth into functionally and mechanically stable positions and relationships. This does alter the mechanics of jaw movement and chewing, but so does natural tooth eruption. Traumatic injuries and parafunctional habits are by far the more likely causes of TMJ problems, in my opinion.

[@ds74878]

@@BuffaloTMJ In my case, bad orthodontics refers to braces on just my upper arch, without moving my lower teeth to align with them.

[@BuffaloTMJ]

Hard to know good or bad without being involved with the specifics from the time of diagnosis. But we (dentists) need to be better at recognizing that when we move one part of the mechanical system, the nervous system will make adjustments via muscular patterns, and "straightening" teeth can have unintended consequences on other structures, like the joints. Sometimes doing nothing is better.

[@miguelcoronal897]

You say on your page that results are not guaranteed. What percentage of your patients overcome the symptoms?

[@BuffaloTMJ]

Keeping track of those types of statistics, considering the multitude of symptoms as well as variations in reporting due to the subjective nature of these things, would be a full time job all in itself. I can say, based on my own anecdotal estimate, that well over 90% of our patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms, though not usually complete elimination of all discomfort.

[@miguelcoronal897]

@@BuffaloTMJ in that case of disconfor, what's the next?? Arteocenstesis??

[@miguelcoronal897]

@@BuffaloTMJ disagreement why Wow, what sincerity. Still feeling pressure and inflammation? In that case, would surgery be an option?

[@BuffaloTMJ]

My feeling on this is that if I can identify a structural TMJ problem, and I construct and orthotic, and the patient goes through a therapeutic program, and the symptoms remain, then it is likely the symptoms are coming from somewhere else, like the cervical spine, neck muscles, or the nervous system itself. Arthrocentesis and surgery are not likely to solve the problem, and there is a significant risk that they could make it worse. I'd be looking to PT, chiropractic, and neurology at that point.

[@joe_bidnass]

Does tmd cause hearing issues? Like does it affect hearing and make you hear less?

[@mv8908]

Mine did

[@archer3948]

I am having issues with my tongue and ear, whenever i move my tongue backwards on either side, it hurts in my ear drum

[@BuffaloTMJ]

That's an ENT issue, possibly related to the eustachain tube, the pharyngeal muscles, and possibly the salpingopharyngeus muscle. Myofunctional therapy is probably your best bet.

[@archer3948]

@@BuffaloTMJ I got it fixed up recently, went to an ENT specialist and she helped me a lot but thanks anyway

[@mv8908]

@@archer3948how did you fix it

[@nathaliesavoury7736]

Vide should've started at 2 mins. Everything said beforehand was unnecessary. There maybe a correlation between your ears and jaw. One must just prove it.

[@CP-kb1du]

Are you a Doctor Taylor Swift

[@tinamckay-iv3tf]

I agree I have jaw issues that affect my ear , and even cause hyperacussis

[@nathaliesavoury7736]

@@tinamckay-iv3tf same!

[@nathaliesavoury7736]

​@@tinamckay-iv3tfI have lots of proof that there's a casual link. Let me know if you need help.

[@fadilb9665]

​@@tinamckay-iv3tfHave u been exposed noise

[@marioporcu2]

my jaw joint feels big in my left ear

[@Safely2024]

Same here

[@mixalissavva6806]

I have tunnitus in both ears fist start with one one day i wake up both ears

[@BuffaloTMJ]

Tinnitus is a VERY difficult symptom to track down. Breathing exercises and meditation, and maybe habituation, are the preferred methods to help overcome this one, once structural abnormalities have been ruled out.