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Can Temporomandibular Disorder Cause Ear And Sinus Problems?
Question: can tmd cause ear problems and also sinus problems like not being able to breathe out've one side of the sinus and then move to the other side so you can't breathe out've your nose?? I'm just worried that this is XXXXXXX last for a long time and I wont be able to breathe out've my nose! it's been about 3 months that there was a light pressure on the right side and harder to breathe out've that nostril now it's moving to the left side! also when I swallow water I feel like it goes in my ear? and every once in awhile i'll get a pressure in my ear.. will this go away? and I do smoke and everytime I do there's alot of pressure on the right side of the sinus near my eye.
Brief Answer:
TMD does not cause breathing trouble.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. TMD does not cause nasal obstruction. These TMJ symptoms are commonly seen after dental extraction where excessive force was required.
2.The difficulty in breathing is usually due to nasal turbinate hypertrophy. This can alternate between sides with varying frequency and is an extremely common problem. This may or may not be accompanied by sinusitis. It may occur due ti chronic allergy, stress, infections (including fungal) and so on.
3. Get a plain CT Scan (PNS) Para Nasal Sinuses done. A pre decongestion and a post decongestion scan should be done and compare with signs and symptoms. Decongestion is done with with OTC Otrivin (Xylometazoline 0.1%). Use 5-8 drops per side and wait for 15-20 minutes before scanning again. These two scans count as two study sequences of one scan.
4. Your ENT Specialist should be encouraged to accept that there can be wide variations between scanned images and endoscopy images. Sinuses cannot be examined by endoscopy alone, only some openings may be visible. CT scans show form not function. They form a part of the investigations which should be done post 6-8 weeks of maximum medical therapy if symptoms persist. CT Scans are far superior to Sinus X-rays.
5. Upload any endoscopy images/ video and the pre-post decongestion plain CT PNS images.
If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
TMD does not cause breathing trouble.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. TMD does not cause nasal obstruction. These TMJ symptoms are commonly seen after dental extraction where excessive force was required.
2.The difficulty in breathing is usually due to nasal turbinate hypertrophy. This can alternate between sides with varying frequency and is an extremely common problem. This may or may not be accompanied by sinusitis. It may occur due ti chronic allergy, stress, infections (including fungal) and so on.
3. Get a plain CT Scan (PNS) Para Nasal Sinuses done. A pre decongestion and a post decongestion scan should be done and compare with signs and symptoms. Decongestion is done with with OTC Otrivin (Xylometazoline 0.1%). Use 5-8 drops per side and wait for 15-20 minutes before scanning again. These two scans count as two study sequences of one scan.
4. Your ENT Specialist should be encouraged to accept that there can be wide variations between scanned images and endoscopy images. Sinuses cannot be examined by endoscopy alone, only some openings may be visible. CT scans show form not function. They form a part of the investigations which should be done post 6-8 weeks of maximum medical therapy if symptoms persist. CT Scans are far superior to Sinus X-rays.
5. Upload any endoscopy images/ video and the pre-post decongestion plain CT PNS images.
If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thanks doc I will get a CT scan if it is turbinate hyperthrophy can it be treated?
and also sometimes there's a little bit of swallowing trouble but on one side? is that normal for that condition
and also sometimes there's a little bit of swallowing trouble but on one side? is that normal for that condition
Brief Answer:
Yes, nasal turbinate hypertrophy can be treated.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, nasal turbinate hypertrophy can be treated. There are multiple options that can be discussed in detail, depending upon the CT Scan findings.
2. The slight swallowing trouble on one side is common. It is usually related to dryness or a post nasal drip.
3. You should discontinue the ibuprofen and any other current medication to rule out any side effects of the medication/s.
If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Yes, nasal turbinate hypertrophy can be treated.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, nasal turbinate hypertrophy can be treated. There are multiple options that can be discussed in detail, depending upon the CT Scan findings.
2. The slight swallowing trouble on one side is common. It is usually related to dryness or a post nasal drip.
3. You should discontinue the ibuprofen and any other current medication to rule out any side effects of the medication/s.
If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hey doc guess what I got a CT scan at the dentist today, and as you predicted I do have turbinate hypertrophy and it is completely restricting air flow on my right side :(.. and there is a backup of mucus because of it, can this sometimes be corrected without surgery? and could this be why everytime I smoke there's tons of pressure all of a sudden in my head but i'm happy to hear that they found the cause but you're the best ! just as you predicted
Brief Answer:
Radiofrequency volume reduction (RaVoR) of the nasal turbinates.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Radiofrequency (Sutter / Ellman) turbinate reduction is a good option if you want to avoid traditional surgery.
2. Since you have already tried medical therapy, this is a simple and quick option.
3. Healing time after RaVoR (Radiofrequency Volume Reduction) of nasal turbinates is 4-6 weeks. You may also get it done only on the right side initially, see the results and repeat on both sides if necessary.
4. Coblation (Arthrocare) is another technology available.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Radiofrequency volume reduction (RaVoR) of the nasal turbinates.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Radiofrequency (Sutter / Ellman) turbinate reduction is a good option if you want to avoid traditional surgery.
2. Since you have already tried medical therapy, this is a simple and quick option.
3. Healing time after RaVoR (Radiofrequency Volume Reduction) of nasal turbinates is 4-6 weeks. You may also get it done only on the right side initially, see the results and repeat on both sides if necessary.
4. Coblation (Arthrocare) is another technology available.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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