TMJ Treatment in London

  • HOME
  • /
  • TMJ Treatment in London
"I've been going to the Smile Cliniq for the past couple of years, and the treatment, care and advice from Chetan and his team has been faultless. Highly recommended." - A.S.
"Yet again I have been blown away by Smile Cliniq. After my filling fell out on Sunday night, I was distraught. But I phoned the Cliniq in the morning and got an appointment for the same morning. Dr Kaher put me at ease, even though I was very anxious, and did an amazing job on my..." - Robyn B
"What a great dental clinic! I was having issues with a tooth and Dr Sarita Kotecha was brilliant. Solved my dental issue quickly and explained everything in a way that made me actually enjoy the appointment (!!). They were able to squeeze me in last minute too. Highly recommend t..." - Saya Jones
"The service was so good at Smile Cliniq by Dr Sarita Kotecha, I recommended my wife to change dentist. We've been looking for a good dentist since moving to London 2 and 1/2 years ago and the quality we had received from our previous dentist was sub-standard. That all changed at ..." - Greg Jones
"I have had a dentist phobia for many years and would shake all over whenever I was there. Dr Chetan Kaher changed that. He was calm and very patient and understanding of my anxiety. All the staff are thoughtful and friendly. I don't shake anymore, which is wonderful. I still have..." - DEBRA MERRITT
"Fantastic service, professional and top notch technology. Very hygenic and Dr Chetan Kaher has a very steady and experienced hand. Highly recommend." - Amrita Chauhan
"I have had a dentist phobia for many years and would shake all over whenever I was there. Dr Chetan Kaher changed that. He was calm and very patient and understanding of my anxiety. All the staff are thoughtful and friendly. I don't shake anymore, which is wonderful. I still have..." - DEBRA MERRITT
"Friendly and helpful manager. Dentist was also friendly and efficient,Gave me lots of advice about dental care showing video." - Filippa Milioto
"Needed an emergency appointment, I was seen the same day! Great service and friendly staff" - Elena Milioto
"I found the the team at smile very professional and friendly, nothing was too much trouble. Chet presented all the options and my selected course of treatment took place over a year. As it involved one of my front top teeth I had some concerns and Chet was always available to ans..." - Irin Wu
"I have a hereditary tendency to get dental cavities, ensuing painful dental treatments, which left me scared of visiting dentists. Now, in my early thirties, I did everything to avoid dental checks. I also gave up on having cavity-free teeth. Two years ago, I was forced to find a..." - Rukmini
"I have just finished my year long lingual brace treatment with Dr Sarita Kotecha which has been a huge success. I'm so happy with the results! The staff at Smile Cliniq have always been friendly, helpful and welcoming; fitting me in for last minute appointments when necessary and..." - Maayan Bianca
"My wife needed to see a dentist on an emergency basis on a Saturday after a bad fall the evening before. We called on Saturday morning and they were able to take us that afternoon. The quality of care, both technically and inter-personally, could not have been better. If we lived..." - Hal N.

The temporomandibular joint (or TMJ) is the joint that connects your temporal bone on the skull, and the mandible (jaw bone). When things go wrong with your TMJ, it can have a disruption on your day to day. From eating and enjoying food, to even sleeping.

Here at Smile Cliniq, we are a team of leading dental specialists, and can assist you with Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome.

An Introduction to Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome

Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ PDS), includes pain caused by over working masseters (muscles of mastication), grinding, clicking and joint locking of the TMJ.  Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) refer to a group of disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles and the associated structures.

TMJ PDS is thought to be relatively common affecting up to 25% of the population at different times in their lives, however only 5% seek help.  TMJ PDS may occur at any age but is more common in females 20–50-year-olds.

What Causes TMJ PDS?

TMJ PDS can be caused by many things acting together to create the symptoms. Recent research has shown that the condition comes from overusing this area of muscles and joints, that than it being due to a misalignment.

Some example factors that can contribute to it include:

  • Muscle over activity (grinding, parafunction and bruxism).
  • Dental malocclusion (the bite of the jaws).
  • Chronic Pain syndromes, increased pain sensitivity amongst other psychological reasons.
  • Intra-articular disc derangement, arthritis (osteo or rheumatoid)
  • Trauma
  • Infection (i.e. pericorinitis)
  • Congenital Disorders
  • TMJ hypo or hyper mobility

What are the main symptoms of TMJ PDS?

It’s important to note that TMJ PDS is a benign condition, meaning that it won’t cause long-term damage. Symptoms tend to come and go, and often worsen with anxiety. Some symptoms you may experience from TMJ PDS include:

  • Jaw pain or soreness that may be worse when you wake up or at night
  • Jaw pain when biting, chewing, or yawning
  • Clicking from your jaw joint when you move it
  • Stiffness or locking of your jaw joint
  • Earache
  • Difficulty opening and/or closing your mouth
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty swallowing

How Can Smile Cliniq Help with Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome?

At Smile Cliniq, we will perform a thorough examination, which may include radiographs of the TMJ joint.  Once completed we have an array of treatments depending on the causative factors; these may include Removal of any infection, Splint therapy, botulinum toxin placed into the over active muscles (masseter and temporalis), occlusal (bite) adjustments and jaw exercises.

Please get in touch if you would like some advice.

Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ PDS) FAQs:

How is TMJ PDS treated?

There are many simple and effective treatments for managing TMJ PDS, but no single cure. Although, studies have shown that up to 90% of patients of all patients will get better with self-care, exercises and using a customised hard bite guard to reduce the tension in their jaw muscles.

Occasionally, other types of treatment can help, such as adjusting the biting surfaces of your teeth, medication, or gentle jaw exercises. It is very rare to need specialist dental care (orthodontics) or jaw joint surgery to correct TMJ PDS.

What can I do to alleviate my symptoms of TMJ PDS?

Treatment is based around self-care – the more you help yourself, the more effective your treatment.

  • Keep your teeth apart. The correct resting position for your jaw is to have your teeth slightly apart and your tongue resting on the floor of your mouth. This allows your jaw and muscles to rest and relax. Your teeth should only touch when you are chewing, swallowing, and sometimes speaking.
  • Avoid opening your mouth wide.
  • Avoid habits such as chewing your fingernails and gum.
  • Avoid straining your neck and back with prolonged poor posture, for example, when you are working at a computer or a desk.
  • Eat foods that you do not need to chew hard or for a long time.
  • Do wear the hard bite guard if your dentist gives you one.
  • Try to reduce the sources of stress in your life if possible and do more general physical exercise if you can.

What is the prognosis for Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome?

Since TMJ PDS has many symptoms which overlap with other functional and complex pain syndromes, the outlook for it depends on psychological factors as well as mechanical ones. In most cases, TMJ PDS is manged most well with a multidisciplinary approach.

There are some risk factors associated with chronic or prolonged TMJ PDS, and these include:

  • Being female.
  • Increasing age at presentation.
  • Higher reported pain intensity.
  • More widespread nonspecific symptoms.
  • Comorbid psychosocial factors – for example, anxiety or depression.

How is anxiety and depression related to TMJ PDS?

Elevated stress, depression and anxiety can often cause muscle tension, including the jaw. Therefore, these mental health issues can exaggerate TMJ PDS pain and symptoms by aggravating the muscles and increasing tension and bruxing.

Dentistry Award Smile Award Invisalign BACD Juvederm BDA Care Quanlity Commission Bupa Dental Phobia Patient Service Award 2017 - WhatClinic Master Fastbraces Provider
OR ask us a question

Finchley

02083431133

St Johns Wood

02073281200

CALL US ON: 020 3199 4519

OR

BOOK AN APPONTMENT NOW

Call for a consultation today

phone

020 3199 4518

© Copyright Smile Cliniq 2024 | St John Wood : 020 7328 1200 | Finchley : 020 8343 1133 | 020 3131 8638 | Site Last Updated: 16 March 2024

Smile Cliniq Limited. A company registered in England and Wales. Company number 08279068.

Registered office: C/O TG Associates 7 Jardine House, Harrovian Business Village, Bessborough Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3EX

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Health & Safety Charter | Complaints procedure | Data Protection | Cookie Settings

Website by Digimax Dental