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Jaw Joint Dysfunction Management

Jaw Joint Dysfunction is a condition that results in inflammation and pain in the jaws, and an inability to open or close your mouth.

Your jaw joint, also sometimes called your temporomandibular joint, is located just towards the front of each ear. The joint enables you to open and close your mouth (for eating and talking, etc). Jaw Joint Dysfunction, also called temporomandibular joint disorders or TMJ disorders is an umbrella name for a group of conditions that can prevent the joint from functioning normally.

To manage this, scans will be done to assess your teeth, bite, and jaw joint, and determine the right treatment.

What Can Cause Jaw Joint Dysfunction?

Jaw joint dysfunction stems from problems in one or a combination of three areas:

The chewing muscles around your temples and cheeks that work to move your jaw joint
The cartilage disc within your jaw joint that functions as a shock absorber and lubricant
The bones that are involved within your jaw joint

The main causes of Jaw Joint Dysfunction are usually:

The overloading of your jaw joint from prolonged and heavy stresses, for example, from habitually clenching or grinding your teeth (often silently and unknowingly whilst you are asleep).
Trauma to your jaw joint, such as from a blow to your lower jaw or face, indirectly or directly.
Arthritis (inflammation) of your jaw joint, which is a degenerative process. This is often associated with certain medical conditions such as – Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Sjogren's Syndrome, etc.

In many patients however, the cause of Jaw Joint Dysfunction may stem from different sources and may not be fully clear.

Do I Need Treatment for my Jaw Joint Dysfunction?

Jaw Joint Dysfunction can cause you many inconvenient symptoms, especially:

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Experiencing Significant Pain

The pain is usually experienced over your jaw joint area, your cheek or temple regions. It tends to manifest as a dull ache, that is made worse by chewing or with the opening and closing of your mouth.

It is often the result of inflammation of your jaw joint or your chewing muscles. This facial pain can be impairing, causing you to have difficulty eating or just going about your daily life comfortably.

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Restriction of Opening & Closing Your Mouth

It can restrict your jaw movements, affecting your ability to talk, chew and yawn. Not being able to open or close your mouth in a way you normally would be able to can affect your speech and eating. This can be especially worrying if it occurs suddenly.

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Experiencing Clicking or Grinding

Sometimes when opening or closing your mouth, you may experience clicking, popping or grinding noises around your jaw joint.

Are You the Right Candidate for Jaw Joint Dysfunction Management?

Do you experience pain over your jaw joint area and/or at your cheek or temple regions?
Are you unable to open or close your mouth fully?
Do you experience clicking or grinding noises around your jaw joint when opening or closing your mouth, accompanied with other symptoms?

What Does the Treatment Involve?

Stage 1: Detailed Exploration of Concerns

When you attend your Jaw Joint Dysfunction management consultation at Nuffield Dental, rest assured that you will be placed under the meticulous care of our team of specialists, who will take the time to actively listen and discuss all of your individual concerns.

Stage 3: Devising Individualised Treatment Plan

Our specialists will then thoroughly explain your condition, the benefits and risks of each of the possible options, the procedure and duration of having them, and then tailor a final health care treatment plan in partnership with you.

Stage 2: Full Dental Assessment

Your general health condition, as well as the condition of your teeth and gums, will be thoroughly examined.
This will include having to take some X-rays, CBCT scans or T-scans, to assess your teeth, bite, and jaw joint to determine your suitability for Jaw Joint Dysfunction management or other treatment options.

Types of Jaw Joint Dysfunction Therapy

There is a range of ways as to how Jaw Joint Dysfunction can be managed and some pain relief can be provided, depending on your specific diagnosis and cause. Your dentist will provide you with information on which type or types of treatment will suit your specific condition best:

Home exercises and medication
Splint therapy
Disclusion joint therapy
Jaw Joint Arthrocentesis

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Why Choose Nuffield Dental?

Nuffield Dental is a one-stop, multi-disciplinary dental care centre. At Nuffield, we put you first. We believe in providing personalised service for each patient.

Nuffield Dental is a one-stop, multi-disciplinary dental care centre. Here at Nuffield Dental, we pride ourselves of our personalised oral care for each and every one of our patients. We need to make sure you get all the help you need to make your dental procedures more comfortable, accessible and seamless.

More about Implants

Our dentists have specialised in jaw joint therapy for more than 20 years. We have accredited dental specialists who are skilled in the area of dental implant surgery.

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