TMJ ear pain can be the first symptom of a TMJ problem. Unfortunately, the first doctor that most patients see is not a dentist but an Ear, Nose and Throat physician. In most cases, the ear examination findings are normal. The problem is that physicians are not trained to diagnose dental and TMJ problems and many patients never get correctly diagnosed. Many patients have made numerous visits from one physician to another and some have even been hospitalized by a neurologist. They have MRIs and CAT scans and everything is normal!

              TMJ ear pain can come from referred pain to one or both ears from stressed jaw muscles. It's not uncommon for a patient to arrive in an emergency room with arm pain coming from the heart. The same is true with referred pain from the chewing muscles. If the chewing muscles dysfunction and hurt, the pain can be felt in the ears.

              If the jaw muscles go into spasm and hurt, they can cause tightening of the surrounding muscles. The inner ear has several muscles that can shorten and cause ringing in the ears and/or TMJ ear pain. It's so common that it's part of the TMJ syndrome. This TMJ symptom and many others often disappear in many patients after six weeks of TMJ treatment. Many patients become upset when their medical insurance refuses to pay a dentist. A dentist is not a physician and if an insurance company can limit its payments and increase its profits, it usually does. This seems absurd, especially since many patients also have ringing in the ears and dizziness from this problem.

             The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky is experienced in this area of Dentistry and teaches other dentists on the subject. Our TMJ dentist would be happy to evaluate your TMJ ear pain and if possible, provide treatment. If you wish to schedule a consultation, call 404-874-7428.