What to Do for TMJ-Related Ear Pain?

Posted on December 21, 2019

Category: TMJ-related ear pain

The temporomandibular joint, or “TMJ,” is the hinge that connects the jaw to the skull, located just below the ears. You use this joint every time you chew, swallow, yawn, and talk.

Issues occurring with the TMJ produce a variety of symptoms, one of which is ear pain ranging in intensity from mild to severe.

If you suffer from TMJ-related ear pain, there are several ways you can get relief. Read on as Dr. Ivan Stein of the Headache & TMJ Center of New Jersey shares five tips to improve the tension triggering your ear pain.

Perform Specific Exercises and Stretches

Performing certain exercises can relax and strengthen the jaw and its connecting muscles and improve joint movement. Over time, this can provide ear-pain relief.

Examples of exercises you can perform include chin tucks, opening and closing the mouth, side-to-side and forward jaw movements, and various relaxation techniques.

Exercises shouldn’t be done if you’re experiencing extreme discomfort, though. Start any exercise slowly, as you may feel some resistance but the sensation should be tolerable and gradually get better.

Modify Your Diet

If you eat a lot of hard, chewy or crunchy foods, your diet may be contributing to your TMJ-related ear pain. Choose softer, less-chewy foods instead, as they are less likely to strain the jaw. You should also avoid chewing gum.

Make Lifestyle Changes

In addition to dietary modifications, making other simple lifestyle changes can alleviate TMJ-related ear pain. Here are a few easy suggestions:

• Avoid biting the lower lip and fingernails
• Maintain good posture
• Keep the upper and lower teeth separated to prevent the jaw from clenching
• Limit activities involving big jaw movements, such as yawning and singing

Wear a Mouth Guard

Since TMJ-related ear pain may result from nighttime teeth grinding or jaw clenching, wearing a mouth guard may help. A mouth guard can realign the jaw as you sleep and relieve some of the joint tension.

It’s best to consult with a dentist to get a custom-fit mouth guard because a regular mouth guard isn’t as effective at holding the jaw in place.

Take Pain Relievers

Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can help relieve TMJ-related ear pain. If the pain is severe enough, a doctor may prescribe muscle relaxers. Applying a warm compress to the jaw can also provide relief.

Get Relief From TMJ-Related Ear Pain

If you suffer from TMJ-related ear pain, call or email the office of Dr. Stein at the Headache & TMJ Center of New Jersey to learn more about what you can do to ease your discomfort.

Call Today
For your Free
Consultation

Contact Us

769 Northfield Avenue Suite 154
West Orange, NJ 07052

855.TMJ.DOCS | 855.865.

3627

How to Help TMJ Disorder

Skip to content

TMJ disorder can affect numerous systems, many of which TMJ sufferers would never expect. But how does TMJ affect the inner ear? The temporomandibular joint is located directly next to the inner ear, so when the joint experiences an increased level of stress, much of that stress is translated over. We’ll go over symptoms to look for, how TMJ affects the inner ear and how to help TMJ disorder.

Earache or TMJ?

How can you tell if the symptoms you’re facing are the result of TMJ or an earache? It can be hard to tell. In fact, many people attribute this pain to their inner ear and consult with an ENT specialist for resolution. Unfortunately, these cases are often left unresolved as the issue isn’t clear to the ENT specialist. Patients are often prescribed an antibiotic and don’t achieve the relief they expect.

Ear Conditions Confused With TMJ Disorder

The inner ear and the temporomandibular joint are closely linked. This link makes diagnosis challenging because the person suffering can’t tell where the pain or discomfort is coming from. Patients and practitioners often believe the “ear pain/discomfort” results from one of the following conditions when the real culprit is an undiagnosed TMJ disorder.

• Ear infections
• Waxy blockages
• Ear pain/aches
• Parotid gland stones
• Allergies/cold/flu
• Tinnitus

TMJ Disorder Treatment 

How can you help TMJ disorder if it is affecting other parts of your body? In contrast to typical inner ear condition treatments, TMJ disorder treatments can provide patients who have been misdiagnosed or undiagnosed relief real from their symptoms. While some home care remedies for TMJ like eating soft foods or using heat or cold packs can provide temporary solutions consulting a TMJ specialist like Dr. Pamela Marzban can provide more long-term relief through expertly crafted treatment plans using state-of-the-art equipment.

Treatment Options

If caught early on, TMJ treatments might include noninvasive techniques such as:

• Mouthguards
• Medications
• Electrical stimulation with a TENS Unit
• Myofunctional therapy
• Invisalign
• Jaw exercises

If left untreated, TMJ disorder can progress and require more invasive treatment options such as:

• Disc repositioning
• Discectomy
• Jaw irrigation
• Articular eminence recontouring
• Partial joint replacement

Correct TMJ Disorder and Ear Pain in Burke, VA

Dr. Pamela Marzban has years of experience treating patients with TMJ disorder, many of whom were initially under the false assumption that their symptoms resulted from an inner ear issue. By promoting and focusing on Beauty, Balance, and Breath, our dedicated team of professionals helps patients experience real relief. For more information on how TMJ disorder could affect your inner ear and what treatment options would work best for you, contact Dr. Pamela Marzban’s office at 703-349-4277 or visit our contact form.

Blog Archive

Blog ArchiveSelect Month January 2023 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 January 2022 November 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010

Blog Categories

Blog CategoriesSelect CategoryAirwayAthletic MouthguardsBeautyCandy and CavitiesControlledArchCosmetic DentistryDental BondingDental BridgeDental CareDental CrownsDental ImplantsDental InsuranceDental VeneersDentistDentistry CostDenturesDigital Smile DesignFamily DentistFamily DentistryFuture of DentistryGeneral DentistryGum DiseaseHeart HealthInvisalign®MalocclusionMewingMigraineMouthguardsMyofunctional TherapyNightguardsNuCalmOral HealthOral Sedation DentistryPersonal DentistryPorcelain FillingsPorcelain Veneer BenefitsPorcelain VeneersPreventive DentistrySedation DentistrySedation Dentistry Safety ConcernsSleep ApneaSmile MakeoverSocial MediaSymmetryTeeth Whitening in FairfaxTMJTMJ HeadachesTMJ Vs. TMDTooth TruthsTooth WhiteningUncategorizedWhite and Porcelain Fillings

Treatment of TMJ dysfunction in Moscow ❘ Orthodontist Complex

Several gnatologists work in our clinic and we have a long experience in treating TMJ dysfunction.

• Causes of dysfunction

• Symptoms

• Treatment

• Treatment examples
• Physicians

Our advantages

• We have been specializing in the treatment of TMJ dysfunction for a long time and have a lot of positive experience
• Orthopedists and orthodontists-gnatologists, trainees in Russia and abroad

What is TMJ dysfunction

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the base of the skull and the lower jaw. It is constantly involved: when eating, when talking, etc., and its treatment is an essential component of an integrated approach to dental treatment.

TMJ dysfunction – a complex definition, indicating its incorrect operation. This can be expressed either simply in clicks and discomfort in the joint area, or in the presence of inflammation, arthritis, arthrosis, etc.

TMJ dysfunction

Causes of TMJ dysfunction

There are many reasons that affect the functioning of the joint. For dentists, the combination of the following reasons is of the greatest importance:

Asymmetry

The temporomandibular joint is paired, so if the jaw moves or the teeth close together incorrectly, the joint experiences overload, which gradually leads to its dysfunction.

Asymmetry can be caused by a number of congenital causes: structural features of the skull, skeleton, etc. From the point of view of dentistry, the work of the joint can be influenced by:

1

Malocclusion, incorrect occlusion.

2

Adentia (lack of teeth).

3

Incorrect prosthetics.

The structure of the TMJ

High load

Chewing food creates a fairly large load on the teeth and joints. In case of correct movement, location of the jaw, the joint copes with this load. However, even small deviations make themselves felt quickly enough.

Other reasons

1. Inflammatory processes.
2. Arthritis, arthrosis and other diseases of the joints.
3. Injuries of teeth, jaws.
4. Stress and other factors affecting muscle tone.

Frequent symptoms

One of the most common symptoms that occurs before the onset of pain:

• Clicking when opening or closing the mouth. It occurs due to overload of the joint and indicates a problem in its work.
• Limited functioning of the joint and even its blocking (when it is impossible to close the mouth).

Clicking when opening the mouth, blocking of the joint as symptoms of TMJ

• Pain in the joint itself, as well as in the chewing muscles.
• Increased muscle tension often causes headache, pain in the ear.

Pain when chewing, ear pain as symptoms of TMJ

Why You Shouldn’t Delay Treatment

In case of incorrect operation, the joint experiences increased overloads.

Treatment takes quite a long time (even “unloading” of the joint and relaxation of the muscles do not occur immediately, and it may take up to a year or more to eliminate the causes).

It is impossible not to use an overloaded joint, because he participates in the process of eating. Thus, when delaying the visit to the doctor, the situation is aggravated. A neglected disease leads to severe joint, muscle and headaches.

Diagnosis and treatment

Gnathologists treat the pathology of the jaw joint. Gnathology is a fairly new science, within which there are different directions and schools.

• Some specialists give priority to working with the muscles that hold the lower jaw. Based on this, both diagnostics and treatment are built – relaxing the muscles and setting them up properly.
• Other direction – correct occlusion, very precise work on prosthetics with grinding and onlays for each tooth. From this point of view, doctors diagnose what kind of bite the patient has, how the jaw moves and closes, what kind of occlusion, etc. Diagnostics includes various hardware methods, it is quite complicated and lengthy.
• Occlusion therapy – installation of a splint (tire) made of special plastic, which is erased as it is worn. The tire must be worn around the clock. So the joint and masticatory muscles will be able to rebuild in the most correct functional state.
• Installation of bracket system. It is carried out in sequence. First on the upper and then on the lower jaw. Installation is possible approximately 3 months after occlusive therapy. It is necessary to visit a doctor every 2 weeks to correct and control the new position of the jaw.

Correction of TMJ dysfunction

In parallel with dental procedures (bite correction, prosthetics), can be used:

1. Drug treatment: anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs to relieve muscle tension and other drugs.
2. Physiotherapy treatments, etc.

According to studies, all patients with anomalies and deformities of the dentition, complicated by painful dysfunction of the TMJ, have hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles in the TMJ area. It is one of the main pathogenetic reasons for the development of the TMJ pain dysfunction syndrome, and therefore it seems rational to introduce muscle relaxation splint therapy into the orthodontic treatment plan. (Mansur Yu.P., Shcherbakov L. N. The role of occlusive therapy in the complex treatment of TMJ pain dysfunction syndrome in patients with anomalies and deformities of the dentition. Russian Journal of Pain. 2021;19(1):15-18)

The usual treatment tactics are:

1

Diagnosis with identification of the causes of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint.

2

Muscle relaxation and pain relief.

3

Removal of the causes of dysfunction (usually bite correction and prosthetics).

The article was prepared by an expert, orthodontist

Serdichenko Alexander Vladimirovich

Treatment examples

Treatment of TMJ dysfunction: before and after

The patient complained of clicks when opening her mouth. For the treatment of TMJ, a splint (kappa) was used.

Before
After

Doctors

Dolgin Zakhar Sergeevich

Orthodontist, gnathologist

Correction of occlusion using multi-loop wires. Treatment of TMJ according to Slavichek.

Get a consultation

The promotion does not apply to patients already undergoing treatment for bite correction in other clinics, as well as to consultations of a number of doctors and consultations on gnathology; a free panoramic photo is taken for internal use; other additional images may be needed in a number of areas.

Consultation 30-60 minutes includes

• Detailed interview with the patient
• Panorama (for internal use)
• Comprehensive treatment plan

Call 8 (495) 935 55 55 or sign up online

Application successfully sent, your contact is

…

Fix

Hide

Prices

Installment plan

Average for Moscow

Honest, no surprises

All inclusive

The main manipulations used in a particular procedure are already included in the price. In some procedures, the price is divided into stages, which the doctor will warn about in advance.

Reviews

@alina_bodleva

“I trust @ortodont_complex with my smile. Only here I relaxed for the first time and was not as much afraid as usual 😅”

@bochkovanastya

“I sincerely advise @ortodont_complex , a pro in his field! They dispelled all my fears, and I always leave happy with a smile from ear to ear🤍”

@kris_ipokerist

“My doubts were dispelled when I visited @ortodont_complex. It was important for me to find a clinic that specializes in orthodontics. ”

@loove_mood

“Now there is a huge choice of dental clinics, but we travel to distant lands from our home, but to an already proven place!! In @ortodont_complex”

@nastin_toy

“I highly recommend the clinic. Good and attentive doctors work there.”

@priima_alena

“And I finally went to the hygiene, they did it very high quality. Now I smile even wider 😁”

CT scan of the temporomandibular joint – computed tomography of the temporomandibular joint in Moscow: addresses, prices | Dikul Center

CT scan of the temporomandibular joint – computed tomography of the temporomandibular joint in Moscow: addresses, prices | Center of Dikul | Center Dikul

We use cookies to improve the site and its user experience. By continuing to use the site, you consent to the use of cookies. You can always disable cookies in your browser settings.

• Main
• Diagnostic and treatment facilities
• Diagnostics
• Computed tomography
• CT of the temporomandibular joint

Treatment

• Neurology
• Physiotherapy
• Device therapy
• Traumatology and Orthopedics
• Arthrology
• Podiatry
• Rheumatology
• Manual therapy
• Osteopathy
• Reflexology
• Carboxytherapy
• Therapeutic massage
• Dietetics
• Gynecology
• Pediatrics
• ENT (otorhinolaryngology)
• Urology

Types of CT scans

• brain CT
• chest CT
• CT of teeth
• CT scan of the lungs
• CT scan of the sinuses
• jaw CT
• CT scan of the spine
• Abdominal CT
• CT scan of the knee
• CT scan of the temporal bones
• CT scan of the cervical spine
• CT of the vessels of the brain
• Liver CT
• CT scan of the hip joint
• jaw CT
• Head CT
• kidney CT
• Shoulder CT
• CT scan of the adrenal glands
• CT scan of the ankle
• CT scan of the thoracic spine
• CT scan of the pelvis
• CT angiography of the vessels of the lower extremities
• CT scan of the pancreas
• CT scan of the stomach and intestines
• CT of the bones of the facial skeleton
• ear CT
• CT scan of the abdominal aorta
• CT foot
• CT pituitary
• CT of chest ribs
• Elbow CT
• CT scan of the gallbladder
• face CT
• CT coccyx
• CT scan of the pulmonary veins
• CT scan of the temporomandibular joint
• CT scan of the thyroid gland
• CT scan of the thymus
• Lung CT with contrast
• Neck CT

Computed tomography

• All specialists