Sillim-dong Dentist – What Symptoms Can Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Cause?

Hello, I am Kang Dong-ho, director of Yonsei U-Line Dental Clinic, Sillim-dong Branch, located right in front of Exit 7 of Sillim Station in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu.

Temporomandibular joint disorders can appear with more varied symptoms than you might expect.

In addition to the headaches that commonly come to mind, symptoms may include dizziness, tinnitus,

clicking or other sounds from the jaw, difficulty opening the mouth,

or the jaw coming out of place while yawning.

However, the discomfort patients report

can be much more varied than this.

Expressions such as “I don’t know how to chew,”

“It feels like my bite doesn’t fit,” “My jaw trembles,”

and “My mouth feels dry” are also frequently heard in practice.

These symptoms can be so vague that they are difficult to understand unless you have experienced them yourself.

That is why many people initially visit an ear, nose, and throat clinic before coming to a dental clinic.

Treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders begins by checking whether there is muscle tension.

For people whose condition has continued for a long time and whose mouths can barely open,

treatment is considered to be at the chronic stage, so muscle treatment may have limited effects.

However, in relatively mild cases, muscle tension is often a major contributing factor.

In these cases, medication such as muscle relaxants or Botox treatment may be tried first.

Looking at the possible causes, habits such as grinding or clenching the teeth,

clenching the teeth during exercise, or unconsciously clenching them while concentrating at the office

may also have an effect.

In such cases, medication to relax the muscles may help relieve the symptoms,

and a dental appliance may be used afterward.

The most representative appliance is a “splint.”

It is usually worn while sleeping, and wearing it for more than 12 hours a day is not recommended.

The effects of a splint can be summarized in three ways.

First, it keeps the jaw muscles slightly apart, helping them relax.

Second, it protects the teeth when you grind or clench them.

Third, it creates space between the temporomandibular joint and the skull,

making it possible for the disc to return to its proper position.

When wearing a splint, the position of the jaw and the bite may change,

and certain teeth may come into contact more in the morning.

These changes are monitored, and adjustments may be made to address bite interference.

Although it remains controversial academically,

clinically, many patients experience relief from their symptoms.

In particular, patients who had experienced severe pain often find that after wearing a splint,

their pain decreases enough for them to carry on with daily life.

Treatment generally takes a long time—around one and a half to two years—

and many people give up along the way.

However, those who continue treatment consistently often experience significant improvement

and are able to return to a more comfortable daily life.

Because temporomandibular joint disorders involve varied and vague symptoms,

they are easy to leave untreated. However, they can improve considerably with appropriate treatment and management.

If you are experiencing discomfort, we recommend consulting a dental clinic.