Can A Lower Impacted Molar Cause ETD?

Posted on Mon, 2 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 2 Nov 2015 Answered on

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a question, I have an impacted, partial bony, lower right wisdom tooth. Can this affect my tube Eustachian tube from draining? Would the swelling close the tube? Also, I am getting bariatric surgery Nov 11th. The surgeon said I should wait to get them removed, but the pain is bothering me. He doesn't want to risk infection. Could I have a sinus infection? My ear bothers me all of the time and I was on Zithromax a month ago, the pain went away briefly, but now the same pain, swelling, ear tickling is back. Could this be a fungal infection? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. A lower impacted molar is not likely to cause either sinusitis or Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD; as compared to an upper molar).

2. Since your ear looks normal, your ear pain is a referred pain due to common nerve supply between the teeth jaw and ear.

3. Get an impedance audiometry done to rule out ETD. If this test is normal, there is no ETD. If there is ETD, get a plain Sinus CT done.

4. The plain CT will settle the question whether ypu have sinusitis (even fungal) or not.

5. If these tests are normal, you can safely go ahead with your bariatric surgery. Request a anti-neuralgia medication or a nerve block for the dental pain.

6. Continuous use of Afrin will cause Rhintis Medicamentosa.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar