TMJ Treatment

The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull. Pain, clicking, locking and headaches around it usually come from muscle overactivity, an uneven bite, or arthritic change within the joint. Treatment is conservative first and irreversible only as a last resort.

How it's done

1. 01

   Examination

   Joint movement, muscle tenderness and bite are assessed, with imaging where the joint itself is suspected.

2. 02

   Splint therapy

   A custom hard acrylic splint worn at night separates the teeth and takes load off the joint. This is the mainstay.

3. 03

   Muscle management

   Physiotherapy, and in some cases masseter botox to reduce clenching force.

4. 04

   Bite adjustment

   Only where a specific interference is identified — and only after the muscles have settled.

Who it suits

Jaw pain, clicking, morning headaches, or worn teeth from grinding.

Where it falls short

Symptoms often fluctuate for reasons unrelated to the teeth. Be sceptical of anyone proposing to crown a whole mouth to cure jaw pain.

Recovery

No downtime. Improvement is gradual over weeks.