Wisdom Teeth Removal: Understanding Ear Clicking & Nasal Congestion

Having your wisdom teeth removed is sometimes necessary to alleviate pain and infection, but there can be complications including nasal stuffiness and ear clicking.

Significance

• Extraction of wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure, and there are risks. The upper wisdom teeth carry more risk, but complications increase with the age of the patient and the severity of the tooth impaction.

Nasal Complications

• Because the roots of the upper wisdom teeth are close to the sinus, sometimes there is an opening in the sinus cavity after removal or a piece of tooth may get lodged in the sinus.

Sinus Infection

• If a piece of tooth gets lodged in the sinus, or bacteria from the tooth gets in the sinus cavity, you can get an infection with resulting stuffiness. Any loose pieces of tooth must be removed surgically to prevent further infections.

Jaw Complications

• Removal of either upper or lower wisdom teeth can cause jaw fractures and TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). With TMJ you can get ringing in the ear, grinding, popping or clicking sounds.

TMJ Treatment

• TMJ can be treated by resting the jaw, applying ice and heat or getting physical therapy. If none of these work, surgery can be done to replace joints in the jaw.