Digital Smile Design
Facial proportions, lip line and tooth shape are reviewed on screen so you can see the proposed outcome before any treatment starts.
DetailsWhat complaints lead patients to seek care?
The most common findings are clicking on opening the mouth or while chewing, pain just in front of the ear, a feeling of fatigue in the jaw muscles, being unable to open the mouth fully, occasional locking, and headaches that accompany these symptoms.
How is it assessed?
Jaw joint disorders point not to a single disease but to a group of complaints with different origins: muscle-related pain, issues with the position of the joint disc, degenerative changes inside the joint itself, or a combination of these. During examination, the range of joint movement, muscle tenderness and how far the mouth opens are all measured; imaging is used where indicated.
Clenching habits, stress, chewing predominantly on one side, keeping the mouth open for extended periods (such as lengthy dental appointments or general anaesthesia) and trauma are the most frequently seen triggers.
What does treatment involve?
The first step taken for jaw joint disorders is always conservative: a period on a soft diet, warmth, muscle-relaxing exercises, a custom occlusal splint, and correcting the habits that trigger symptoms. The large majority of cases improve noticeably at this stage.
Where there is no response to this approach, or an intra-articular pathology is suspected, advanced imaging is requested and referral to the relevant specialty follows. Irreversible measures — permanently altering the bite, or surgery — are not the first options chosen.
This page is general information and does not replace a dental examination. Whether the treatment suits you, and the method and duration, are decided only after an intraoral examination and radiographic assessment.
After treatment
- While symptoms are active, avoid hard foods that need prolonged chewing.
- Do not chew gum — it tires the joint directly.
- Avoid opening your mouth fully wide when yawning; support your jaw with your hand if needed.
- Keep up the recommended muscle exercises regularly.
- If a splint was made for you, wear it every night.
- Bring your appointment forward if pain increases or locking becomes more frequent.
The information on this page is for general guidance and does not replace a dental examination. Treatment decisions are made after an intraoral examination and radiographic assessment.