J Audiol Otol.  2016 Sep;20(2):123-126. 10.7874/jao.2016.20.2.123.

A Case of Bruxism-Induced Otalgia

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea. meddoc98@gmail.com

Abstract

Here, the author presents a case of bruxism-induced otalgia in a 29-year-old female patient. The pain was sharp and penetrating in character. It was usually worse in the morning and frequently radiated to the right temporal area. She had received unsuccessful medical treatments for migraine headache. The otoendoscopic examination revealed a normal tympanic membrane. A thorough inspection of her teeth revealed excessive wear on the incisal edges, and the cause of her otalgia was identified as bruxism-related temporomandibular joint disorder. After the use of an occlusal splint and repeated botulinum toxin injections in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles, along with good sleep hygiene, she experienced significant relief of pain and symptoms. The author suggests that multidisciplinary cooperation between ENT clinicians and dentists is necessary for the quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment of bruxism and the consequential referred otalgia.

Keyword

Earache; Tooth wear; Teeth; Referred pain

MeSH Terms

Adult
Botulinum Toxins
Bruxism
Dentists
Diagnosis
Earache*
Female
Humans
Hygiene
Migraine Disorders
Muscles
Occlusal Splints
Pain, Referred
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Tooth
Tooth Wear
Tympanic Membrane
Botulinum Toxins
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