Albertville, AL
Do you suffer from ringing, congestion, or pain in your ears? These types of symptoms often go undiagnosed by a regular physician and may only be temporarily relieved. If you’ve experienced pain or discomfort in your ears, yet your symptoms continue to reoccur, it’s time to consider consulting a neuromuscular dentist, who specializes in the movement and alignment of the jaw.
Believe it or not, your ear discomfort could be linked to an uneven bite or muscle tension of the jaw joint, known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A major nerve, the trigeminal nerve, connects from the jaw, through the TMJ, and links to muscles that also connect to your ear. One of the major muscles of the ear is called the tensor tympani, which helps stretch the eardrum to create the noises and sounds that we hear. This muscle also connects to the trigeminal nerve, which means if your bite is uneven, it will cause stress and tension on the trigeminal nerve, causing a chain reaction of pain and discomfort. When your bite is uneven or misaligned, the trigeminal nerve may be put under stress or become compromised, which explains how pain or tinnitus (ringing in the ear) could travel into the ear.
Your symptoms could be linked to issues of the TMJ because the TMJ interacts with every type of movement of your mouth whether eating, chewing or speaking. The TMJ is located in proximity to your ears, which explains why TMJ disorder could cause pain, ringing, or congestion of the ears. The good news is TMJ disorders can be treated, relieving you of pain and discomfort. Usually, a simple, custom-made, removable repositioning device can be worn to properly align the jaw. Once the jaw is properly aligned, the trigeminal nerve is no longer compromised, providing the patient with relief.
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms described above, a neuromuscular dentist such as Dr. Renfroe can help. Not only is Dr. Renfroe trained in identifying and treating TMJ disorders and associated symptoms such as ringing in the ears, but he is more likely to provide you with a proper diagnosis than a regular physician. Don’t continue living with pain or discomfort, call Wall Street Dentistry of Albertville for an appointment. During your consultation, your bite will be thoroughly examined, and a treatment plan will be specially designed to fit your needs and help you be on the road to pain relief. Don’t let finances stand in your way of treatment. Wall Street Dentistry of Albertville accepts a variety of insurance plans and even offers special financing at zero percent interest.