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I definitely understand the fact that some doctors, even at major universities do not understand the effect tinnitus has a person's quality of life. As an example, I saw a very well known, thought leader, Dr at Yale University, and his answer to my pulsatile tinnitus was "there is nothing I can do for you." All my CT scans, MRI's and angios all looked normal to HIM. Of course any doctor will want to rule out glomus tumors, hemangiomas of the tympanic membrane, aneurysms, and any other known causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus. After ruling all these "traditional" causes out, most doctors are at a loss as to what to do next. In the New York City area I did see a very helpful and compassionate neuro-radiologist at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC, but he just did not know what to do for me. He ordered the most cutting edge radiographic tests, and studies of my neck and brain, everything looked normal. He was as frustrated as I. I was prescribed amitriptyline, by him, which provided a small amount of relief.
My intention here on this board is to relay my journey, from the onset to the resolution of this most complex condition. I believe that it would have been easy to give up. My decision was that I was not going to live with this disorder. Even if no one reading this goes to the University of Maryland to be treated, there is no reason why a local ENT/OTO doctor could not read the study done by Dr Mattox, and treatment plan accordingly. Everyone has to play a role in their own treatment. Suggesting ideas, making your doctor aware of these studies, and some of the newer treatment options may be of value. Doctors love studies, they want evidence based, peer reviewed studies, to develop new treatment options. Print out these studies, even if you need to pay for them, its worth it if it means you have an option that did not previously exist.
Do not give up, if someone tells you there is nothing that can be done, do not accept that. I heard that for three years, from some of the best doctors in country. I do not blame any of them for not being able to help me. They just did not have the information they needed. I am hoping that getting ENT doctors to read the studies I cite will help people who are suffering from pulsatile tinnitus.

He is located at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore. Do a google search and then look under the Otolaryngology department for Dr David Eisenman.

Its hard to say why it started. The only event that could have played a part was I had a #1 wisdom tooth, that is upper right side 3rd molar extracted. When the oral surgeon injected me with the local anesthesia, the whole right side of my face became swollen. It turned into a 3 week long bruise. Close to my ear, yes. The noise started a month or so after the extraction as a very slight rotating buzz, almost like a machine off in the distance. In a relatively short time it just became this loud pulsating whoosing noise, almost like someone blowing in my ear. It stabilized and just stayed the same 24/7. If I put finger pressure on my neck immediately below my right earlobe, the noise would disappear. I am talking about a very slight pressure, not to where my carotid artery was compressed and I felt faint. Just a slight pressure. Since that was the only relief, I got into the habit of laying on my right side, with my finger or a soft object under my right neck. This would give me some relief, like if I were watching TV at home. Because I could so easily effect the sound, i.e. I always believed that it was vascular in nature. It did turn out to be a venous condition. Many doctors say that if tinnitus is sort of a hum it has to be a vein. Conversely arterial sounds, most drs say are pulsatile. Veins bring blood to the heart and are relatively low pressure. Arteries are high pressure and deliver blood flow from the heart. Arteries typically pulsate as the heart pumps. Although this is common knowledge, my pulsatile tinnitus was eventually found out to be venous, which doctors say, typically does not create a pulsating sound. In my case it was a pulsating noise, but it was from a vein running near my ear, not an artery. I would describe the noise between pulsating beats as a rumble. But, I had many doctors tell me that because the noise pulsated it HAD to be arterial in nature. So they would look at all the imaging tests done and study the arteries. When A doctor told me they had found a enlarged lymph node pressing on my internal carotid artery, I was so happy! I went ahead with surgery to remove this lymph node-very painful, and I missed a week of work. So after the surgery the doctors tells me he was successful in getting the lymph node out, and it was very close to the carotid artery. So, I asked then why is the noise still there? Things had to heal he said. 6 months later when my tinnitus was exactly the same as before the surgery, I realized that this was not the problem. An amazing coincidence that they found an enlarged lymph node, that turned out to have early stage lymphoma! A type of lymphoma that is usually not detected because there are no symptoms until 4 or 5 stage, and at that point you have a few months to live. This to me is the most amazing part of this whole journey. They find a completely unrelated condition by coincidence.
That is my story. I am so ecstatic that I can sit here and write without this freight train like noise in my right ear.

I have heard stories of T developing after various dental procedures. In my case the timing of the extraction, and the reaction to the local seems to be more than coincidental. That is something that can never be proven. Honestly I am not so focused on trying to find out the cause, because the answer to that question had nothing to do with treating and resolving the tinnitus. Even Dr Eisenman, and Dr Mattox, have no clear explanation as to why any pulsatile tinnitus develops. Its of idiopathic origin in most cases. I don't blame the oral surgeon who extracted the tooth. He doesn't even know my story since the tooth came out. He helped me and as far as I am concerned he did what he was supposed to. No blame
A lower root canal, is much different from a 3rd molar extraction. But there does seem to be some correlation to the reaction and swelling caused by the local anesthesia. Its just futile to try and ponder if in fact it means anything. Thanks for the info!

Thanks so much for the kind words. The only abnormal event prior to the tinnitus starting was the wisdom tooth extraction. The extraction itself was not traumatic, it was my reaction to the novacaine. Who knows if the two were related. Dr Eisenman and Dr Mattox described my condition as a sigmoid sinus diverticulum. In layman's terms, a vessel, not an artery, developed a sort of pouch or outcropping. Additionally there was supposed to be a boney structure supporting the vessel. There was no bone supporting the vessel. The outcropping, or diverticulum of the vessel, caused a turbulent flow of blood, that created an audible noise in my right ear. The noise was subjective, only I heard it. The doctor could not hear it. The surgery involved repairing this abnormal pouch on the vessel, and then supporting the vessel where it was supposed to be supported by bone. The Dr said that there were three areas that he observed like this. He repaired two of the three. All three were in the area of the mastoid, which is a boney structure behind the ear. The mastoid is not really a bone, it is what is called a process, that is, a structure that grows between two bones. It is air filled, and almost like a honeycomb in consistency. Maybe more sound conductive than solid bone. The doctors removed my mastoid, and grafted the area.
It solved the problem, it been exactly one week. I am walking, driving, doing things I would normally do. Almost no pain, even in the days after the surgery, very little pain at the surgical site. Instantaneous relief. I am hoping it stays this way. None of the doctors know how this condition comes about, but I was about the 3rd or 4th person to undergo this new procedure, and it has a 100% resolution rate. The change in the tinnitus has been just as dramatic int he other cases as it it my case.
Its just all so wild, I feel like a new person, my entire outlook on life has changed. I owe it to my persistence and the doctors who identified and treated my condition. Hopefully someone else can find relief with the information I have provided.