TMJ and Ear Problems

[Brian459]

My TMJ specialist says he grades my condition as a 3-B out of 5.  I can move my jaw normally to the left but only 5cm to the right.  My right side being above and behind the condyle.  Would this cause ringing and a sense of fullness in both ears?  Also, my ears have been popping for several months.  I went to an ENT for ETD.  How does my TMJ cause this popping?   Does it affect the eustachian tube or am I hearing something else?  After treatment will I be able to move my jaw further to the right?  He says he can stabilize the joint but probably not recapture what was lost.

[magictouch]

You know, this is coming from a 23 year old who has his own theory on the whole TMJ thing. It's all about posture and how strong your muscles are. If you work on stretching and bodyweight exercises (for your entire body, that will eventually translate to your neck/jaw), you can reverse the effects with due time. Just a few words of wisdom...

[scottma]

Occlusion does play a significant role in the pathogenesis of TMD, although this is not fully supported by dental and medical commuinities. However, in my personal experience over hundred cases, occlusal therapy, such as occlusal appliance is extremely effective for relieving TMD associated symptoms, with long-term effect. Occlusal appliance therapy is very conservative and effective, there is no irreversible change of existing dentition. Occlusal appliance, also known as splint, night guard, or tmj orthosis is always the first choice. If it shouldn't work, permanent change of bite is unlikely to relieve symptoms. However, fabrication of occlusal appliance requires masterful skill and experience, that's why I recommended you see a competent tmj specialist. TMj manipulation refers to joint play of tmj. Most dental practitioners probably are not aware of this manipulation technique. Chiropractor or Osteopath practitioner are probably the profession who can deliver this .

[Brian459]

What do you mean by tmj manipulation?  The specialist I am seeing has developed a treatment plan that includes grinding down some of my back teeth to relieve the malocclusion, then adjusting my bite with Invisalign braces to move my lower front teeth forward.  He says these teeth are crowded and have grown too long altering my bite and stressing my jaw muscles.

[scottma]

tnnitus is commonly associated with myofascial trigger point pathology of masseter and lateral pterygoid muscles.tmjs are double joints, one side dysfunction always affects the other side. Try to find a competent tmj specialist who is familiar with manipulation of tmj as well as tmj orthosis.

[Brian459]

Thank you for your response.  I am continuing to see a TMJ specialist on a regular basis.  I have one more question.  I have had a mild case of tinnitus for twenty years that has recently gotten worse.  I have read that if I press on my jaw or forehead and the ringing changes (it becomes more intense, higher frequency) it may be caused by the TMJ.  Could this have been going on all the time?  My ENT says my ears are healthy and my hearing tests are normal except for a slight retraction of my left ear.  I have not been able to pop my left ear.  Is there a connection even though the jaw is oot of alignment on the right side?