A clicking sound in the jaw? Temporomandibular joint disorders should not be left untreated

If you have ever noticed a clicking sound in your jaw every time you open your mouth, or felt as if your jaw gets stuck while yawning, it may be something worth paying attention to. At first, it is easy to brush off because the pain is not severe, but if these symptoms repeat, it may be a sign that something is wrong with the temporomandibular joint rather than just a simple habit issue. In particular, jaw clicking often appears suddenly and is frequently left untreated because it does not seem to cause major inconvenience in daily life. However, temporomandibular joint disorders can worsen gradually over time, so it is important to check your condition and manage it in the early stages.

What is temporomandibular joint disorder?

Temporomandibular joint disorder refers to a condition in which structural or functional problems occur in the temporomandibular joint. Pain may appear if inflammation develops in the joint or if dislocation occurs, and as the condition progresses, it can lead to difficulty opening the mouth. In the early stage, it may begin simply as a clicking sound in the jaw, but as disc deformation gradually occurs, difficulty opening the mouth and pain can appear together.

What are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder?

The representative symptoms that may occur due to temporomandibular joint disorder are as follows.

• Pain felt around the temporomandibular joint

• Clicking sounds from the temporomandibular joint when opening the mouth

• Difficulty opening the mouth, or limited mouth opening

• Headaches, neck pain, and shoulder pain caused by temporomandibular joint problems

• A feeling that the upper and lower teeth do not align due to malocclusion

• Teeth grinding during sleep

If these symptoms repeat or cause inconvenience in daily life, it is necessary to check the current condition of the temporomandibular joint rather than simply ignoring them. At Minish Dental Hospital, we provide customized temporomandibular joint treatment according to the cause and severity of the symptoms.

Minish Dental Hospital’s temporomandibular joint treatment methods

At Minish Dental Hospital, treatment methods are applied differently depending on the symptoms and severity of temporomandibular joint disorder.

1. Medication therapy and physical therapy

This is performed when there is early myofascial pain or when symptom relief is desired, and medication therapy and physical therapy are used together.

2. Botulinum toxin injection therapy (Botox treatment)

This treatment weakens excessive muscle force to reduce the burden caused by teeth grinding, and if necessary, injection treatment may be carried out about 3 to 4 times.

3. Splint treatment

This treatment uses a custom-made occlusal stabilization appliance to stabilize the muscles and reduce the pressure applied to the joint and disc, helping damaged tissue recover.

Minish Dental Hospital’s temporomandibular joint treatment process

Minish Dental Hospital first conducts pre-examinations for patients who visit with suspected temporomandibular joint disorder to accurately determine each individual’s condition before establishing a treatment plan. Instead of using an off-the-shelf product, we custom-make an occlusal stabilization appliance (splint) tailored to the individual. Since treatment for the temporomandibular joint and teeth grinding requires precise adjustment, regular checkups and management are carried out to maintain the treatment effect.

Even if the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder feel mild at first, leaving them untreated can lead to pain, difficulty opening the mouth, and inconvenience in daily life. In particular, if jaw clicking or discomfort repeats, it should not be dismissed as a simple temporary symptom. Because the condition of the temporomandibular joint and its symptoms vary from person to person, it is important to accurately check your current condition. We recommend visiting Minish Dental Hospital, undergoing a detailed examination, and receiving treatment with a plan that is right for you.