Jaw Joint Pain Gets Worse if You Leave It Untreated

Hello.

This is Seoul Of Dental Hospital😊

Recently, many people have noticed a “clicking” sound in the jaw,

or pain when opening the mouth.

If you brush off these symptoms as nothing serious,

they can lead to jaw joint disc damage, headaches, neck and shoulder stiffness,

and more.

Today, from the causes of temporomandibular joint disorders

to the safe and effective treatments provided at our Songpa dental clinic,

Seoul Of Dental Hospital,

we will explain everything in detail.

What Is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint is located right in front of the ear

and is the joint that moves when you open your mouth, speak, or chew.

If inflammation develops in this area or the disc (cartilage disc) becomes misaligned,

the following symptoms may appear.

✔ A “clicking” sound or a “catching” feeling when opening the mouth

✔ Stiffness and pain in the jaw in the morning

✔ Headaches, along with neck and shoulder muscle pain

✔ A gradually decreasing mouth-opening range

Main Causes of TMJ Disorders

Temporomandibular joint disorders are caused by multiple factors acting together.

• Excessive stress and teeth grinding

→ Overuse of the jaw joint due to muscle tension

• Habitual consumption of hard foods

→ Overload on the chewing muscles

• Malocclusion or bite imbalance after orthodontic treatment

→ Can cause jaw asymmetry

• Trauma or impact

→ Disc displacement (dislocation) may occur

At Seoul Of Dental Hospital, we do not look only at simple symptoms.

An oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist personally diagnoses jaw joint sounds using CT and panoramic imaging,

accurately identifying the underlying cause.

Treatment Methods for TMJ Disorders at Seoul Of Dental Hospital

Our hospital prioritizes non-surgical, non-invasive treatment.

Because the temporomandibular joint is a delicate structure,

we first apply methods that relieve pain and restore function,

such as medication, physical therapy, and Botox, rather than surgery.

This is the PHL-15 TMJ physical therapy device currently used at Seoul Of Dental Hospital. It is a treatment device that uses infrared and low-frequency therapy together to help relax the muscles around the jaw and reduce pain.

💊 Medication

Muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medications are used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

💆‍♀️ Physical therapy

Heat therapy, ultrasound, and laser treatments help relax the muscles around the jaw and improve blood flow.

💉 Injection treatment

This helps relieve excessive muscle tension or reduce inflammation, supporting recovery of the temporomandibular joint.

When Should You Get TMJ Treatment?

If you have the following symptoms,

it is important to receive treatment early.

🚨 When the mouth opens less and the “clicking” sound becomes louder

🚨 When the jaw hurts while chewing food

🚨 When the jaw feels stiff in the morning and headaches are accompanied

🚨 When you have a habit of chewing only on one side

In the early stages, simple physical therapy or medication alone

may be enough for a full recovery.

However, if left untreated for a long time, disc displacement or

intra-articular adhesions may occur, and surgical treatment may be needed.

How to Manage the Temporomandibular Joint

1️⃣ Avoid hard foods (dried squid, nuts, tough meat)

2️⃣ Do not chew only on one side

3️⃣ Reduce the habit of resting your chin on your hand for long periods

4️⃣ Manage stress and sleep well

5️⃣ Visit the dentist regularly to check the condition of the joint

Small changes in daily habits

are the best way to prevent TMJ pain from recurring.

What Is Seoul Of Dental Hospital?

Seoul Of Dental Hospital

is led directly by a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery from Seoul National University,

and is equipped with devices and systems specialized for TMJ disorders.

✔ Detailed sound analysis through auscultation-based diagnosis

✔ Check disc position and joint condition with panoramic imaging and CT scans

✔ Fully equipped with dedicated medication and physical therapy devices

✔ Emergency and night care available (365-day care)

✔ Safe treatment with a university-hospital-level whole-body monitoring system

In addition, we do not look only at the temporomandibular joint itself,

but also consider occlusion (bite) and overall muscle balance,

so the treatment effect lasts longer.

For your jaw joint pain,

Seoul Of Dental Hospital will provide an accurate diagnosis

and help you recover safely😊

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Seoul Of Dental Hospital

The largest dental hospital in Seoul’s Songpa-gu, led by the hospital director, a Seoul National University oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist; 365-day care; weekday evening care every day; partner medical institution with 119 emergency services; Obje:ro (no-prep laminate); in-house dental lab