Hi. Query Re: Dental Work. Also Support Needed!

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone's tinnitus started shortly after having an upper dental implant placed? If so, was the implant subsequently removed and tinnitus stopped? My tinnitus started 2 weeks after a second implant was placed. I haven’t asked my dental surgeon about any possible link. He has however said he doesn't think I have any tmj problems. I’m very tempted to get the implant removed in the hope it may resolve my tinnitus although I haven’t read anything online to this effect. My tinnitus is causing me huge stress and panic and I'm on anti-depressants and diazepam. Does anyone find that diazepam makes their tinnitus worse? I’m just not sure. My quality of life is vastly reduced although I’m trying so hard to be positive. I'm not coping well at all though and it’s having a negative impact on my relationship and friendships.

I’ve experienced a lot of stressful situations in the last few years and wonder if that may have contributed to my tinnitus. Hearing test in April showed only slight high frequency hearing loss but nothing to be concerned about although another test will be carried out in August to check if an MRI for acoustic neuroma is to be done. Infection etc ruled out by ENT in February although I’m seeing another ENT specialist in July as I've been experiencing intermittent pain in both ears for the last 3 months.

I’ve read a huge amount about tinnitus both the ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ and am hoping for habituation. Being an anxious person by nature I’m concerned I may never habituate. I’m struggling to accept I may have to live the rest of my life like this (I’m middle-aged)! Any advice/support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

If no one answers about dental implant, you may want to do a search with 'dental implant' by clicking the Forum tag and then entering the search text. There should be prior discussions on this issue.

Your tinnitus is still new and usually the suffering is most intense in the first 6 months or so. So keep your positive attitude. Things should change for the better over time. I was in the same shoe struggling quite tough initially but today I live a normal, productive and absolutely enjoyable life. So don't worry too much about the initial struggle. Don't worry about you being anxious and may not habituate. I suffered decades of anxiety and panic disorder prior to being hit with ultra high pitch T and severe hyperacusis. Give my story a good read to see if some of the strategies can help you. Take good care. God bless.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...w-i-recovered-from-tinnitus-hyperacusis.3148/

 

Hi Billie,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I've searched for posts re. dental implants on this forum and found some information although no-one has said anything about tinnitus stopping after implant removal.

Your kind words have given me comfort and hope and I'll read your 'story' after posting this reply. I just wanted to say 'thank you' first of all.

Best wishes and take care. x

 

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822

 

@KittyKat77 There are several articles on the web that discuss 'upper dental implant and tinnitus'.
Some things to consider:
1. Is the implant violating a nerve? To find out a dental X Ray would be needed and maybe from another dentist. Also maybe a CT of the entire oral complex which can be done at a CT imaging center. Consider doing this first before having the implant removed without delay.
2. Was it dental drill noise.
3. Was there a physical reaction from implant procedure causing tinnitus. Consideration would be lower jaw, TMJ complex, neck and face discomfort.

It could be a very involved situation as to what happened even without much hearing loss that could include your neck not resting properly on the head rest or that your mouth was open wide for too long. I can relate to your situation as it happened to me. The chance of a nerve violation is rare even after getting tinnitus, but it's something that needs to be check sooner than later. Since your T started two weeks later it may be doubtful that a violated nerve from implant is involved. It would be more possible that TMD, face, mouth, jaw and/or the neck is involved.

 

@KittyKat77 which upper is the implant? If it is a back implant sometimes it is too close to the sinus and when the implant is put in the surgeon sometimes has to poke the sinus upward. Ask him if this happened.

I have had an upper implant (back) with no tinnitus problem. It failed because of a faulty implant and had to have it removed three years later which was not fun.

So your sudden tinnitus onset may likely be gone with time.

 

Hi Bill, Greg & Starthrower,

Thank you so much to all of you for taking the time to provide advice.

Greg: I'll be seeing ENT and also a maxillofacial surgeon next month so will ask about TMJ, I had a lot of extensive work done as an implant failed and some of the surgery took 2-3 hours so I wouldn't be surprised if there's a connection there as my mouth was open for so long. I'll ask ENT/maxillofacial surgeon about the possibility of an x-ray. Dental drill noise may be a contributing factor, who knows... I do hope you're now coping well.

Starthrower: The implant which failed and had to be done again was central insisor. As far as I know, no sinus lift was done. It's been almost 5 months since onset of t but I won't lose hope it will go. I've been told, however, to expect it to be permanent.