How Can Dentists Treat Ringing In The Ears?
Patients with tinnitus rarely have a moment of peace. The buzzing and ringing sound in their ears can overtake their lives, interfering with their ability to concentrate at work or enjoy family activities. At VIA Health Group in Canton, Ohio, we know how tinnitus can develop as experts in airway solutions and sleep-disordered breathing. Airway health is critical to the likes of proper sleep, respiration when at rest, and the health and function of connected tissues and structures – including the teeth! Treatment may come in the form of something as innocuous as an oral device worn in the mouth during sleep to foster better breathing.
id you know that modern dentistry can treat ringing in your ears?
Dr. Danner has been using oral appliances to help patients address ringing in their ears for years. Dr. Danner’s oral appliances can also help treat associated sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea.
In the article below, you can learn about how Dr. Danner uses dental treatments to address the common problem of ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus.
Question: What Is A Recent Case You Had Where The Patient Struggled With Ringing In Their Ears?
Dr. Danner: I had a 67-year-old patient who came into the office seeking care for ringing in his ears. He could not take it anymore. He went to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. He talked to his physician about his problem. He explored every option he was aware of to get rid of the ringing in his ears. No one could really help him, and he was at wits’ end.
Question: So, What Did You Do Fo/imr The Patients Ringing Ears?
Dr. Danner: We did a 3D X-ray to evaluate his airway in order to see if he faced challenges there. We also did a sleep study to see if issues were going on while he was sleeping. It turns out that he did have a sleep issue. He would not take in enough oxygen while he was asleep. He would clench and grind his teeth while sleeping, as his body was trying to figure out how to get enough oxygen in his mouth.
Question: How Do Breathing Problems During Sleep Cause Ringing In The Ears?
Dr. Danner: The pressure from the patient clenching his teeth caused destructive forces on his jaw joint. The jaw became inflamed, and that inflammation began to affect the patient’s ears. The inflammation caused the ringing in his ears.
Question: So, How Did You Treat This Inflammation That Caused His Ears To Ring?
Dr. Danner: We made a custom oral appliance for the patient that allowed the patient to breathe more easily while sleeping. When he was able to breathe more easily, the patient stopped clenching and grinding his teeth at night. Without the clenching and grinding, the patient’s jaw became less inflamed, and by reducing the inflammation, we were able to stop the patient’s ears from ringing. As soon as we made an oral appliance for him, he felt fantastic. His ears stopped ringing.
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