"I hear clicking in my jaw" TMJ Disorder FAQ

TMJ disorders (TMD) are an umbrella term for conditions in which the jaw joint or surrounding muscles develop pain, noises, or limited opening. Representative symptoms include clicking or creaking when you open your mouth, jaw pain, or difficulty opening wide.

If there’s only noise without pain, treatment isn’t always necessary. But if pain is present, your mouth doesn’t open well, or the sounds are worsening, you should be evaluated by a specialist. Leaving it untreated can make it worse.

Teeth grinding/clenching habits, stress, trauma, malocclusion, chewing only on one side, and prolonged mouth opening (dental treatment, yawning) can all be causes. Multiple factors often act together.

① Occlusal stabilization splint(splint) wear ② Medication (anti-inflammatory pain relievers, muscle relaxants) ③ Physical therapy ④ Habit correction (avoid clenching) ⑤ Botox injections (for severe muscle tightness). Most cases improve with conservative treatment, and surgery is rarely required.

It’s difficult to eliminate grinding completely, but a night guard can reduce tooth wear and the load on the TMJ. Managing stress, cutting back on caffeine, and doing relaxation exercises before bed also help.

Mild cases may take 2~4 weeks, moderate cases 3~6 months, and chronic TMJ disorders can take 6 months or longer. Consistent care and habit changes are important.

Recognize and correct clenching; cut down on hard foods (e.g., dried squid, ice); chew evenly on both sides; avoid resting your chin on your hand; manage stress; and get adequate sleep.

At Seoul BD Dental, a TMJ and orofacial pain specialist (Dr. Byungmin Lee) is on site, and we operate a TMJ clinic on par with Seoul National University. We provide structured care with CT/MRI-based precise diagnostics and custom-made splints.

Initial consultation/exams, medication, and physical therapy are covered by Korean NHIS. However occlusal stabilization splints (splints) and Botox are non-covered (out-of-pocket) items. Because splints are custom-made for each patient, exact fees are provided after diagnosis, and Fees page has details you can refer to. ☎041-415-2892

Consciously keep your lips together and your teeth apart. Set “teeth apart” reminders on your computer or phone, or place stickers where you’ll see them often to check yourself. At night, an occlusal stabilization splint (night guard) is effective.

If your mouth is stuck open and won’t close, it may be a TMJ dislocation. Don’t try to force it closed—visit a dentist or the ER right away. It’s treated by pressing both sides of the jaw downward and then pushing backward (manual reduction).

Yes. TMJ disorders can tense the temporalis (temple) muscles and cause tension-type headaches. Grinding or clenching can also fatigue the muscles, leading to headaches and neck/shoulder pain. Headaches often improve after TMJ treatment.

Generally, wear it every night during sleep; depending on symptoms, you may also wear it during the day. The basic treatment period is 3~6 months, and chronic TMJ disorders may require long-term maintenance wear. Visit regularly to adjust the fit.

"Click/pop" sounds (clicking) occur when the articular disc slips out of place and then returns, while "grinding/sand-like" sounds (crepitus) arise when the joint surfaces become rough (degenerative changes). Crepitus can indicate a more advanced stage, so a specialist evaluation is recommended.

Injecting Botox into the masseter (chewing muscle) can reduce excessive contraction and ease the load on the TMJ. It is effective for muscle pain and hypertrophy from teeth grinding/clenching, and is repeated every 3~6 months. It can also help slim a square jawline.

CT shows the bony structures, while MRI shows the articular disc and soft tissues. When there are joint sounds, limited mouth opening, or recurrent dislocation, MRI accurately evaluates the disc’s position and condition. At Seoul BD Dental, we refer for MRI when needed.

Because the bite (occlusion) can influence TMJ symptoms, the principle is to stabilize the TMJ first if you have a TMJ disorder before starting orthodontics. When orthodontics improves the bite, TMJ symptoms may also improve.

Stress is a major aggravating factor for TMJ disorders. Under stress, you may clench or grind unconsciously, overloading the joint and muscles. Stress management (meditation, exercise, adequate sleep) is part of treatment.

Yes. The TMJ sits right in front of the ear, so joint inflammation or muscle tension can cause ear pain, tinnitus (ringing), and aural fullness (ear pressure). If an ENT evaluation is normal, see a TMJ specialist.

Surgery is considered for severe cases that do not respond to conservative care (splint, medication, physical therapy) for 6 months or more. Options include arthroscopy (minimally invasive), disc repositioning, and arthroplasty. Only about 5~10% of patients require surgery.