Let’s Find the Cause of TMJ Pain and Look at the Treatment Process at a Songpa-dong Dental Clinic (feat. Ultrasound Physical Therapy and Botox)

Hello.

This is Yonsei Dagam Dental Clinic in Songpa-dong.

Today, we’re going to look at ‘temporomandibular joint disorder,’ which many people experience but do not receive proper care or treatment for.

When it is difficult to open the mouth and there is pain,

X-rays need to be taken for an accurate examination.

First, a regular panoramic X-ray was taken

to closely examine the masseter muscle.

At this time, the jaw muscles were enlarged,

and it was confirmed that both masseters and the temporalis muscles

were excessively developed.

Next, after taking an X-ray for the TMJ,

we checked the results and found that

the mouth-opening range was low.

For additional diagnosis at the Songpa-dong dental clinic,

a joint examination was performed while pressing a finger on the TMJ area.

Then, after performing a mouth-opening test with three fingers together,

the opening limitation was severe enough that only about two fingers

could actually fit.

Compared with the normal range of about 4–5 cm, where about three fingers should fit,

this was a low measurement.

For treatment, accurately identifying the cause is essential.

That is because the treatment method can differ depending on the cause.

Some common causes identified at the Songpa-dong dental clinic are as follows.

• Oral parafunctional habits (teeth grinding, clenching)
• Malocclusion (incorrect bite alignment)
• Trauma (accident or impact)
• Stress and tension
• Arthritis or other systemic diseases

In this case at the Songpa-dong dental clinic,

we also confirmed a habit of unconscious tooth clenching.

Many people have oral parafunctional habits such as teeth grinding or clenching

without realizing it.

In particular, when under a lot of stress or during sleep,

these habits can become more severe.

If such behavior continues,

excessive tension and fatigue accumulate in the jaw muscles.

Also, if excessive pressure on the TMJ continues,

it can cause inflammation

and increase the possibility of disc displacement.

At the Songpa-dong dental clinic,

after carefully identifying the cause,

the following steps were taken.

1. Medication

A muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory pain reliever were prescribed

to reduce pain and inflammation.

2. Physical therapy

Ultrasound and electrical stimulation were used

to relieve muscle tension.

3. Botox injection therapy

Botox was injected into the excessively developed masseter muscles

to reduce muscle activity and lessen teeth grinding during sleep.

As a result, clinically significant improvement in mouth-opening range

(about 4 cm recovery) and pain relief were achieved.

In addition, muscle tension in the jaw decreased,

and discomfort in daily life was greatly reduced.

In this way, people may usually feel only mild discomfort,

but at some point, severe mouth-opening limitation and pain can suddenly appear.

If you are experiencing even one of the symptoms explained at the Songpa-dong dental clinic,

it is recommended that you receive an early diagnosis.

✔ Difficulty opening the mouth.

✔ A “click” sound or a grinding/friction sound is heard when moving the jaw.

✔ Discomfort when opening or closing the mouth,

or when moving it sideways.

✔ Frequent headaches in the temporal area (temples).

✔ Tinnitus, hearing loss, ear pain, etc. are accompanied.

If severe, pain can spread not only to the jaw but also to the face,

around the ears, and sometimes even to the neck and shoulders.

If any of the above apply to you,

we recommend getting examined and diagnosed early.

Also, food often gets stuck around a partially erupted wisdom tooth,

which can cause the gums to swell severely.

If the swelling is severe,

it may even become difficult to close the mouth properly,

so in such cases it is better to treat the wisdom tooth as well.

Along with TMJ treatment,

we were also able to improve quality of life by extracting the wisdom tooth

that had been causing discomfort.

For mild cases, the treatment period may improve within a few weeks to a few months,

but chronic cases may require more time.

The treatment period varies from person to person,

so please consult after receiving an accurate examination.

This has been the Songpa-dong dental clinic.

Thank you.

Treatment period: 2022.11.8 – 2023.1.5 ​