Ears
Ear pressure, ringing and the jaw
Some ear fullness, aching or ringing comes from the jaw joint, which sits right beside the ear canal, and this visit is to rule our part in or out.
A dentist can't diagnose an ear problem. We check whether your jaw is part of what you feel, and we send you to your doctor or an ear, nose and throat doctor when it isn't.
What happens
Usually one or two visits, with a note to your doctor if you ask for one.
- 01
Step 1: Ear check first, if you can
If no one has looked at your ears yet, we suggest that first. Infection, wax and hearing changes need a different kind of care.
- 02
Step 2: The jaw exam
We feel the joint beside your ear and see whether opening, closing and chewing change the sound or the ache.
- 03
Step 3: Muscles and bite
We check the muscles around the joint and how your teeth meet.
- 04
Step 4: What we found, and who is next
We tell you whether the jaw looks like part of it, and write to your doctor if you'd like us to.
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
No numbing is needed. Pressure near the ear is gentle, and you can tell us to stop.
If you wait
Ringing in one ear only, hearing loss, drainage or dizziness shouldn't wait for a dental visit. Call your doctor.
Risks and after-care
The exam carries little risk. If we suggest a night guard or jaw care, we go through that option's risks first.
How it's billed
Dental plans seldom cover ear-related complaints. We check what applies and give a written estimate for anything beyond the exam.
How fees work
What we look at, and when we refer
What we look at
The joint beside the ear
Whether moving your jaw changes the sound or the ache
The muscles around the joint
How your teeth meet
When we refer
Hearing loss, drainage or dizziness: your doctor
Ringing in one ear only: an ear, nose and throat doctor
An ear that hurts with fever: your doctor, soon
A jaw that looks like part of it: back to the jaw exam, or to a dentist limited to orofacial pain if it needs more
Questions about ear pressure, ringing and the jaw
Can the jaw really cause ear symptoms?
It can add to them, because the joint sits next to the ear canal. It is far from the only cause, which is why we check and then tell you plainly.
Should I see an ear doctor first?
If you haven't had your ears looked at, yes, that is a good first step.
Will you write to my doctor?
If you ask us to, yes. Tell us who to send it to.
Provided by a general dentist
Dr. Radha Mukherjee, DDS, general dentist, licensed in Michigan. This is not specialty care.