The Relationship Between Craniomandibular Disorders and Otitis Media in Children

Most of the literature written about temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or craniomandibular dysfunction has looked at the problem in adults, probably because most of the patients we see with problems are adults. This article first establishes the fact that young children also exhibit signs and symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction, almost at the same percentage as seen in adults. A review of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children establishes that malfunction of the eustachian tube is the underlying cause of this disease process. Because of the close anatomical and embryological relationship between the TMJ and the middle ear, there exists the possibility that a dysfunctioning TMJ may initiate the bout of OME, primarily by its relationship to the tensor veli palatini muscle. This muscle controls the function of the eustachian tube. This author feels that we might be able to decrease the incidence of OME by improving the function of the eustachian tube. This could be done by altering the relationship between the TMJ and the muscles of mastication, similar to the way we treat craniomandibular (TMJ) dysfunction in adults.