Can TMJ Cause Ear Pain or Discomfort?
Ear pain is one of the most common symptoms of TMJ disorder. The muscles and nerves that control the ear and the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, are one in the same. Misalignment of the jaw can irritate the nerves and cause ear pain in addition to jaw pain.
The most common form of internal TMJ derangement is anterior disc displacement of the articular disc above the condyle. The discomalleolar ligament connects the malleous, or the hearing bone that sits in the middle ear, to the articular disc and capsule of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ.
What is TMJ?
Temporomandibular joint disorder, often called TMJ or TMD, is characterized by misalignment of the jaw, or temporomandibular joint. TMD develops over many years and affects millions of people worldwide.
Without specialized treatment, TMJ disorder can result in a wide variety of symptoms, many of which are relatively common. For this reason, many cases of TMJ disorder are often left undiagnosed and untreated.