Jaw joint problems (TMD) – diagnosis and treatment
A clicking jaw, pain when you chew or a stiff neck first thing in the morning can all stem from a problem with the way your jaw and chewing muscles work together. This is known as a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD for short (in German: CMD).
With TMD, the jaw joints, chewing muscles and teeth no longer work together smoothly. At our practice at Gärtnerplatz, we take time to find the underlying causes and treat you with an individually fitted occlusal splint (bite splint).
Typical signs of TMD
Symptoms vary a great deal and are not always felt in the jaw itself. Common ones include:
- clicking or grating in the jaw joint as you open and close your mouth
- pain in the jaw joint or chewing muscles, for example when eating
- difficulty opening your mouth fully, or a feeling that the jaw “catches”
- grinding or clenching your teeth, often at night and without realising
- worn teeth or sensitive tooth necks
- headaches and facial pain
- tension in the neck and shoulders
- ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or a feeling of pressure in the ear
Not every one of these symptoms is caused by TMD. If you notice several of them, however, a dental examination is well worth arranging.
Possible causes
TMD often has several causes that reinforce one another. These include a bite that does not meet evenly – after losing a tooth, for instance, or because of ill-fitting crowns, bridges or dentures – as well as misaligned teeth and habitual grinding or clenching. Stress often plays an important part too, as tension tends to find its outlet in the chewing muscles.
Our approach
- A thorough conversation: we ask about your symptoms, when they occur and what makes them worse.
- Examination: we examine your jaw joints, chewing muscles, bite and teeth. Where the findings call for it, we also take models of your teeth or X-rays.
- Diagnosis and plan: only once we are clear about what is causing your symptoms do we decide on treatment – including the right type of splint.
- Treatment and follow-up: we make and fit your splint, then see you for check-ups to find out how you are getting on with it.
Treatment with an occlusal splint
In many cases, we use an individually fitted occlusal splint (bite splint). It is usually worn at night, takes the strain off the jaw joints and chewing muscles, and protects the teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching. Which type of splint is right for you depends on the diagnosis.
Depending on the cause, it may help to combine the splint with other measures, such as physiotherapy, relaxation exercises or correcting an uneven bite. We will talk with you about what is likely to help in your case.
What you can do yourself
- Notice during the day whether you are pressing your teeth together. At rest, your teeth should not touch.
- Relaxation exercises and regular exercise can help to ease tension.
- During flare-ups, avoid very hard or chewy foods and too much chewing gum.
Frequently asked questions about jaw joint problems
How long will I need to wear a splint?
This varies from person to person and depends on the cause and how things progress. Many patients wear the splint for several months, and some continue to wear it at night for good, as protection against grinding. At your check-ups, we will see how your symptoms are developing.
Can grinding damage my teeth?
Yes. Persistent grinding and clenching can wear away tooth enamel, make teeth sensitive and damage fillings or crowns. An occlusal splint protects the teeth from this strain.
Will my health insurance cover the costs?
If an occlusal splint is medically necessary, statutory health insurance usually covers the cost of a standard splint. Detailed functional diagnostics and special types of splint are usually private services. We will, of course, let you know the costs in advance.
Book an appointment
