What are the common causes of jaw joint pain. How can you identify symptoms of TMJ disorders. What are the most effective treatments for jaw pain when opening your mouth. How do lifestyle changes impact jaw joint health.

Understanding TMJ Disorders: The Primary Cause of Jaw Joint Pain

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMDs), often referred to as TMJ, are the leading cause of jaw pain, affecting millions of Americans. These disorders involve the complex system of muscles, ligaments, and bones that make up the jaw joint.

TMJ disorders can arise from various factors, including:

• Muscle strain in the jaw area
• Injuries to the temporomandibular joint
• Displacement of the cushioning disc within the joint
• Arthritis affecting the protective disc
• Excessive jaw joint stimulation

Common triggers for TMJ-related jaw pain include:

• Nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Stress-induced jaw clenching
• Facial trauma, such as sports injuries

Recognizing the Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

Identifying TMJ disorders early can lead to more effective treatment. Common symptoms include:

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw joint area
• Difficulty or discomfort when chewing
• Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Facial pain that may extend to the neck and shoulders
• Headaches, particularly in the temple area
• Limited jaw movement or locking of the jaw

Can TMJ symptoms vary in intensity? Indeed, TMJ symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that interferes with daily activities. Some individuals may experience intermittent symptoms, while others might have persistent issues.

Beyond TMJ: Other Potential Causes of Jaw Pain

While TMJ disorders are the most common cause of jaw pain, other conditions can also lead to discomfort in this area:

Cluster Headaches

These intense headaches can cause pain that radiates to the jaw area. They are characterized by severe pain behind or around one eye, often accompanied by other symptoms like nasal congestion and eye tearing.

Sinus Issues

Sinus infections or inflammation can create pressure near the jaw joint, resulting in pain. This is due to the proximity of the sinuses to the temporomandibular joint.

Dental Problems

Severe tooth infections, such as abscesses, can cause referred pain that extends to the jaw. Regular dental check-ups can help prevent these issues.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

This condition affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for facial sensation. It can cause intense, shooting pain in various parts of the face, including the jaw.

Heart Attack

In some cases, particularly in women, jaw pain can be a symptom of a heart attack. If jaw pain is accompanied by chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or nausea, seek immediate medical attention.

Diagnosing Jaw Joint Pain: The Importance of Professional Assessment

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of jaw pain. Healthcare professionals may use various methods to determine the cause:

• Physical examination of the jaw and surrounding muscles
• Detailed medical history review
• Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs
• Dental examinations to rule out tooth-related issues

Why is a multidisciplinary approach often necessary for diagnosing jaw pain? The complex nature of jaw pain often requires input from various specialists, including dentists, oral surgeons, and neurologists, to ensure a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan.

Immediate Relief Strategies for Jaw Pain

While awaiting professional treatment, several at-home remedies can provide temporary relief from jaw pain:

Apply Hot or Cold Therapy

Alternating between hot and cold compresses can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a thin cloth for 10 minutes, then remove it for 10 minutes before reapplying. For heat therapy, use a warm, moist washcloth on the affected area.

Over-the-Counter Pain Medications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen is another option for pain relief.

Gentle Jaw Massage

Massaging the jaw muscles can help relieve tension and pain. Use your fingertips to apply gentle, circular pressure to the sore areas of your jaw for 5-10 rotations. Repeat this process with your mouth open and closed.

Is it safe to self-massage the jaw area? While gentle self-massage can be beneficial, it’s important to avoid applying too much pressure. If pain increases during massage, stop immediately and consult a healthcare professional.

Long-Term Treatment Options for Jaw Joint Disorders

For persistent or severe jaw pain, professional treatment may be necessary. Treatment options can include:

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist can teach exercises to strengthen jaw muscles and improve flexibility. These exercises may include gentle stretching and controlled movements to enhance jaw function.

Oral Appliances

Custom-fitted mouthguards or splints can help prevent teeth grinding and reduce jaw tension, especially during sleep.

Medications

Prescription medications may be recommended for pain management or to address underlying conditions. These can include muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, or in some cases, antidepressants to manage chronic pain.

Botox Injections

In some cases, Botox injections into the jaw muscles can help relieve pain and reduce muscle tension associated with TMJ disorders.

Surgical Interventions

For severe cases that don’t respond to conservative treatments, surgical options may be considered. These can range from minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures to more complex joint replacements.

How effective are surgical interventions for TMJ disorders? While surgery can be effective for severe cases, it’s typically considered a last resort after other treatment options have been exhausted. The success rate varies depending on the specific procedure and individual case.

Lifestyle Modifications to Manage and Prevent Jaw Pain

Implementing certain lifestyle changes can significantly impact jaw health and help prevent future episodes of pain:

Stress Management

Since stress can exacerbate jaw clenching and teeth grinding, adopting stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can be beneficial.

Dietary Adjustments

Avoiding hard or chewy foods can reduce stress on the jaw joint. Opt for softer foods during flare-ups and maintain a balanced diet to support overall joint health.

Posture Improvement

Poor posture, especially forward head posture, can strain the jaw muscles. Practice good posture habits and consider ergonomic adjustments to your work environment.

Sleep Hygiene

Improving sleep quality can reduce nighttime teeth grinding. Establish a consistent sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine.

Avoiding Jaw-Straining Activities

Be mindful of habits that may strain your jaw, such as excessive gum chewing, biting nails, or clenching your jaw during intense activities.

Can lifestyle changes alone resolve TMJ disorders? While lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce symptoms and prevent future issues, they may need to be combined with other treatments for optimal results, especially in more severe cases.

The Role of Alternative Therapies in Managing Jaw Pain

Some individuals find relief from jaw pain through alternative or complementary therapies. While scientific evidence varies, these approaches may be worth considering in conjunction with traditional treatments:

Acupuncture

This traditional Chinese medicine technique involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help relieve TMJ-related pain and improve jaw function.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback therapy can help individuals become more aware of jaw muscle tension and learn to consciously relax these muscles.

Herbal Remedies

Certain herbs like turmeric or ginger, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, may help reduce jaw pain when used as supplements or in topical applications.

Relaxation Techniques

Practices like guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce overall muscle tension, including in the jaw area.

Are alternative therapies safe for everyone with jaw pain? While many alternative therapies are generally safe, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention for Jaw Pain

While most cases of jaw pain are not emergencies, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:

• Sudden, severe pain accompanied by fever
• Inability to open or close the jaw completely
• Jaw pain associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness
• Significant swelling or visible deformity of the jaw
• Jaw pain following a traumatic injury

Why is prompt medical attention crucial in these cases? These symptoms could indicate serious conditions like severe infections, dislocations, or even heart-related issues that require immediate professional intervention.

Understanding the complexities of jaw joint pain and TMJ disorders is crucial for effective management and treatment. By recognizing symptoms early, seeking professional diagnosis, and implementing appropriate treatments and lifestyle changes, individuals can significantly improve their quality of life and reduce the impact of jaw pain. Remember, each case is unique, and what works for one person may not be as effective for another. Consulting with healthcare professionals and maintaining open communication about symptoms and treatment efficacy is key to finding the most suitable approach for managing jaw joint pain.

Jaw pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

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Jaw pain can be a debilitating condition that affects your ability to eat and speak. The treatment can depend on the cause and the severity, but it can range from using an ice pack to lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases, surgery.

Many things can cause jaw pain, from your sinuses and ears to your teeth or jaw itself. This means it can be difficult to tell if your jaw pain is because of a jaw issue or something else.

That said, once you get an accurate diagnosis, you can start the right treatment. Read on to learn about the causes of jaw pain and the possible treatments.

Most jaw pain is due to an abnormality or injury to the joint of your jaw, but there are other possible causes as well. Here are some of the causes of jaw pain:

1. Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMD)

TMDs are the most common cause of jaw pain, affecting nearly 10 million Americans. TMD is also sometimes known as TMJ. The temporomandibular joints are the hinge joints on each side of your jaw.

Several things can cause TMD jaw pain. It’s also possible to experience TMD due to several causes at the same time. Causes of TMD include:

• pain from the muscles that control jaw movement
• injury to the jaw joint
• excess stimulation of the jaw joint
• a displaced disc that usually helps cushion the movements of the jaw
• arthritis of the protective disc that cushions the jaw joint

Damage to the jaw joint or the muscles that control your jaw movement can be caused by several factors, including:

• grinding your teeth at night
• involuntarily clenching your jaw due to stress and anxiety
• trauma to the jaw joint, such as getting hit in the face while playing sports

There are also less common causes of jaw pain. These include:

2. Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches typically cause pain behind or around one of the eyes, but the pain can radiate to the jaw. Cluster headaches are one of the most painful types of headache.

3. Sinus problems

The sinuses are air-filled cavities located close to the jaw joint. If the sinuses become infected with a germ, such as a virus or bacterium, the result can be an excess of mucus that puts pressure on the jaw joint, causing pain.

4. Tooth pain

Sometimes severe tooth infections known as dental abscesses can cause referred pain that radiates to the jaw.

5. Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that’s most commonly caused by nerve compression on the trigeminal nerve that provides sensation to a large portion of the face, including the upper and lower jaws.

6. Heart attack

A heart attack can cause pain in other areas of the body besides the chest, like the arms, back, neck, and jaw. Women in particular may experience jaw pain on the left side of their faces during ­a heart attack. Call 911 immediately and ask to be taken to the hospital if you experience the following symptoms:

• chest discomfort
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• nausea
• feeling faint

For immediate relief

Apply moist heat or ice packs: Place ice in a plastic bag, wrap it in a thin cloth, and apply it to your face for 10 minutes. Then take it off for 10 minutes before reapplying it. Another option is to run warm water over a washcloth, then apply it to your jaw area. The moist heat can relax overactive jaw muscles and relieve pain. You may have to re-wet the washcloth several times to maintain the heat.

You can also purchase heat or ice packs at a pharmacy or online. However, they should be covered in cloth at all times, or they could burn your skin. If it feels too hot or too cold, remove it.

Keep reading: How to make a cold compress »

Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medicines like ibuprofen and acetaminophen may help to reduce discomfort.

Massage the affected joint: Using your index and middle finger, press the sore areas of your jaw, such as the area right before your ear where your jaw joints meet. Rub in a circular motion for 5 to 10 rotations, then open your mouth and repeat the exercise. Massaging the muscles on the side of your neck may also help relieve tension.

Here’s another massage technique you can try to relieve your jaw pain (tap the arrows to see all four videos):

Video via Adam Leavens, RMT, BCSI

Lifestyle strategies to reduce jaw pain long-term

Stress reduction: Try stress-relieving techniques to reduce jaw clenching. These could include:

• yoga
• journaling
• meditation

These activities may help you reduce your jaw pain if it’s caused by stress.

Avoid chewy foods: Foods that are chewy, tough, or crunchy can place too great a strain on your jaw joint and lead to pain and discomfort later. Foods to avoid include:

• apples
• beef jerky
• chewing gum
• ice

Avoid caffeine: Your morning cup of joe could be contributing to your muscle tension, which can be increased by caffeine. Avoiding large amounts of caffeinated coffee and tea may help reduce your jaw pain over time, but you may initially feel muscle tension from caffeine withdrawal when cutting it out of your diet.

Medical treatment

Most doctors will first recommend non-invasive treatment methods for your jaw pain. If you still have jaw pain after trying these methods, you should talk to your dentist. You may need further interventions to find relief for your pain.

Mouthguard: A mouthguard is a plastic dental protector worn on your upper or lower teeth that’s custom-fitted for your mouth. Although you can purchase one at a pharmacy, a dentist will make you one that may fit better and last longer. Wearing one at bedtime can help stop you from unconsciously grinding your teeth.

Muscle relaxers: If your pain doesn’t respond to the mouthguard, your dentist may prescribe muscle relaxers to relieve jaw tension. However, these don’t always help people with TMD.

Botox injections: More invasive treatment methods include Botox cosmetic injections. When injected into the jaw muscles, the botulinum toxin found in Botox may keep your jaw muscles from clenching, possibly helping to relieve jaw pain due to TMD. These injections will last for months at a time and may require re-injection later.

Jaw surgery: In very rare instances, a doctor will recommend jaw surgery to correct TMD problems. This treatment is usually reserved for people with severe pain and pain that’s due to structural problems in the jaw joint.

Read more: Does Botox help treat chronic migraine? »

Why Does My Jaw Hurt? 6 Possible Causes of Jaw Pain

Written by Matt Smith

Medically Reviewed by Robert Brennan on March 23, 2023

• What Is Jaw Pain?
• What Causes Jaw Pain?
• Jaw Pain Treatment and Home Care

Jaw pain can be a sign of something as common as a toothache — or even something as serious as a heart attack. Your jawbone, also called a mandible, connects to your skull at a pair of joints known as the temporomandibular joints, or TMJs. These joints are just in front of your ears, and they let you open and close your mouth.

Your jaw also holds your teeth and gums, which can be sensitive to heat, cold, or pressure. They also can get infected if you don’t keep them clean.

TMJ disorders

This is one of the most common reasons for jaw pain. About 1 in 8 people may have a TMJ disorder. It’s more common among women.

Causes of TMJ disorders include:

• An injury to your jaw
• Certain illnesses or conditions, like arthritis
• Grinding or clenching your teeth
• Your jaw not lining up the way it should
• Inflammation in the muscles around your jaw

Stress can worsen it, too.

Symptoms of TMJ disorders include:

• Clicking sound when you open your mouth
• Pain or ache around your ears, face, or jaw
• Constant headaches
• Ringing in your ears
• Dizziness
• Vision problems
• Pain when you chew or a hard time chewing
• Locking of your jaw

If you think you might have a problem with your TMJ, get it checked out. Usually, your doctor or dentist may have you take over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. They also might recommend that you exercise your jaw muscles to strengthen them, and to quit chewing gum or biting your nails. You might also get a plastic bite guard to keep you from grinding your teeth. Sometimes, you might need prescription drugs or surgery to fix the problem.

Trauma

Like any bone, you can knock your jaw out of place or break it. A blow to the jaw can cause:

• Bruises
• Swelling
• Pain
• Loose or knocked-out teeth

Usually, over-the-counter pain medication or steps like eating soft foods will help ease your discomfort as you heal. But if the pain won’t go away, or you can’t open and close your mouth right, you’ll need medical care. Issues with teeth alignment can also sometimes cause jaw pain. Learn more about the different treatment options related to an overbite and jaw pain.

Dental problems

A bunch of issues with your teeth can lead to jaw pain. They include:

• A toothache, usually because of a cavity or an abscess
• Teeth that are cracked, crowded, or sensitive to temperature or pressure
• Gum disease, which can damage your jawbone
• Wisdom teeth coming in
• Misaligned teeth
• Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw.

See your dentist right away for these problems. Until then, you can rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to get rid of any bits of food around the tooth that hurts.

Joint problems

If you have a type of arthritis known as rheumatoid arthritis, it could attack your temporomandibular joints. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means your body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue and makes it swell up. That may damage the soft, spongy cartilage that keeps your jaw moving smoothly, which can make it feel stiff and sore.

Diseases

Vaccines have largely gotten rid of diseases. But some people still get them, and the symptoms can include jaw pain.

• Mumps. You catch it from a virus. It swells the glands on the side of your mouth that make saliva. The pain can make it hard to move your jaw.
• Tetanus. You get this bacterial infection through a cut or a scratch on your skin. An early sign is that your jaw muscles might feel tight or stiff. The spasms are often called lockjaw. This serious illness can put you in the hospital for weeks.

Heart attack

It may sound odd, but jaw pain sometimes can signal a heart attack. Pain that starts near a cluster of nerves, like your heart, can be felt someplace else on the body. This is called referred pain. For some people, jaw pain may be the only symptom of a heart attack.

Referred pain in the jaw also may be a sign of joint problems, such as in the shoulders or the lower back.

Sinus problems

If the spaces inside your nose and under your eyes (your sinuses) stay swollen and inflamed for longer than 3 months, even with treatment, you may have a condition called chronic sinusitis. It mainly makes it hard to breathe through your nose and makes the area around your eyes feel tender, but chronic sinusitis also can cause aching in your upper jaw.

Trigeminal neuralgia

This painful condition can happen when a blood vessel presses against the trigeminal nerve, which carries messages to your brain from your face.  It can also be caused by multiple sclerosis. Trigeminal neuralgia usually affects one side of your jaw or cheek and can feel like a stabbing pain or a jolt of electricity. The pain can be so severe that it keeps you from being able to eat or drink.

Cluster headaches

These are very painful headaches that happen in certain patterns or happen often in a short amount of time. They cause serious pain on one side of your head and often wake you up during the night. Cluster headaches usually affect the area around your eyes and temple, but the pain can spread to your jaw as well.

Osteomyelitis

This is an infection that happens in a bone. It can affect your lower jaw (or mandible), a condition called anaerobic osteomyelitis. If it’s not treated, the infection can cut off the blood supply to your jaw and permanently damage the bone tissue there.

Tumors or cysts

These are growths in your jawbone or the soft tissues in your mouth and face. Sometimes called odontogenic tumors and cysts, they’re not often cancerous, but they can grow quickly and affect your teeth. In most cases, surgery is recommended to take them out.

Treatment for your jaw pain will depend on what’s causing it, but a few things may help with general discomfort:

• Resting your jaw
• Over-the-counter pain medicines, like anti-inflammatories and analgesics
• Prescription medicines, including antidepressants for pain, or muscle relaxants
• Cold compresses for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, 3 or 4 times a day
• Gentle exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles in your jaw or face
• Ultrasound (high-powered sound waves) to help with pain and swelling

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Jaw crunches when chewing and opening the mouth

Clearly audible sounds during jaw movements are clear signs of impaired functioning of the temporomandibular joint. It is necessary to engage in its reconstruction as soon as possible, while the disease is still amenable to correction. The competence of the doctors of our Center, combined with modern technical capabilities, allows us to determine the cause and start correcting the pathology in a timely manner. Targeted treatment restores the joint, preserves its function and prevents serious complications .

Why does the jaw crack when moving?

Cracking in the jaw when yawning, while eating is never normal, it is always a sign of pathological changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The lower jaw is connected to the temporal bone by a joint in which everything is provided by nature, like in an engineering structure – there are two hard surfaces, and for smooth movements – a gasket (articular cartilage) and a lubricant (articular fluid).

If the cartilage is destroyed, and there is not enough liquid, solid parts rub against each other – clicks, friction, crunch are heard. Such symptoms reliably signal a malfunction in the joint. They are called TMJ dysfunction .

Sound accompaniment during jaw movement is one of the signs of joint arthrosis. This is a chronic progressive disease with a gradual destruction of cartilage tissue:

• constant friction leads to deformities – the elastic and smooth surface in the normal state becomes rough;
• the joint first clicks, then crackles violently;
• symptoms increase gradually – from mild discomfort when chewing to significant problems with opening the mouth and general well-being;
• in the advanced stage, muscle spasms and convulsions appear.

Causes of pathology

It is usually not possible to single out only one. Experts consider arthrosis of the TMJ to be a multifactorial disease.

Main causes:

Accompanying symptoms of TMJ dysfunction

In addition to unusual sounds when moving the jaw, arthrosis of the joint should alert: doctor :

What to do, which doctor to contact

Gnathologist can help . Sometimes it is an independent specialist, but more often its functions are performed by dentists with training in gnathology. Orthopedists and orthodontists usually receive special training.

Gnathology (from the Greek gnatos – upper jaw) is one of the areas in dentistry that studies the norm and pathology of the TMJ, its effect on bite and chewing.

Gnathologist – is a doctor who diagnoses and treats TMJ dysfunctions:

• He has deep knowledge of the structure of the temporomandibular joint, its functions and possible causes of its deterioration.
• Usually has extensive experience in orthopedic dentistry, has a good understanding of how unsuccessful fillings, crowns and dentures cause improper functioning of the jaw and joint.

A specialist performs diagnostics and establishes a diagnosis, draws up a treatment plan for the identified pathology.

It is quite possible that if your joint hurts and crackles, the doctor will refer you for additional consultations:

Diagnosis of pathology

The doctor conducts a complete examination of various parameters mouth opening.

How to treat a crunch in the jaw

Treatment of TMJ dysfunction is a complex problem, in dentistry it is solved in several stages in a certain sequence:

1. Pain management
2. Normalizing the position of the joint
3. Bite correction
4. Restoration of missing teeth

If general skeletal deformities affecting the functioning of the TMJ are detected, in parallel with dental treatment, the doctor gives recommendations on strengthening the muscular corset of the back and neck. Patients work with an osteopath, kinesitherapist or train on their own.

At the same time, chondroprotectors are prescribed to build destroyed articular cartilage.

The treatment of jaw crunching requires patience and perseverance

Cracking and clicking in the jaw are symptoms of TMJ arthrosis. This is a progressive disease, the optimal treatment of which is possible at stages 1-2. The specialists of our Center successfully carry out all types of correction at an early stage of the disease and completely restore the impaired function of the joint.

Levin Dmitry Valerievich

Chief Physician and Founder of Doctor Levin

Methods of treatment

There is no single correct way of treatment. From several possible options, the doctor chooses the most effective in a particular situation or uses a combination of them.

Splint therapy

Treatment with an occlusal splint system (splint in English – splint) restores normal joint function. The tire is a mouthguard made of silicone, made according to individual parameters. Fits in the mouth for permanent wear. With splint therapy:

• ligaments lengthen;
• reduced muscle effort during chewing;
• jaw joints return to the correct position;
• overloads of articular surfaces are eliminated.

TENS-therapy

TENS-therapy is a transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation used to relieve their hypertonicity and prevent jaw immobilization. In addition to the facial group, they work out the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle, which are involved in the formation of the pathological position of the joints. TENS therapy:

• relieves muscle spasm;
• restores healthy jaw alignment;
• fixes the TMJ in the right place.

Restoring the correct position of the jaws allows you to stop the progression of arthrosis and reduce the severity of all its symptoms, as well as subsequently install implants, plan prosthetics in accordance with a new bite that does not disrupt the TMJ.

Botulinum Therapy

Neuroprotein treatment method borrowed from cosmetology. The drugs stop the transmission of bioelectrical signals from the nerve endings to the muscles and relax them. Injections are pointwise injected into the muscles of the temporal region in order to quickly relieve muscle tension and unlock the jaw joint, return it to its normal position and eliminate pathological friction of the articular surfaces.

The effect remains for a long time, lasting several months.

Bite correction

To ensure the normal functioning of the TMJ, it is necessary to fix the physiologically correct position of the jaws and restore contact between the teeth. For this, orthodontic treatment is carried out on fixed braces or removable aligners.

The teeth gradually take up a physiological position under the influence of the force with which structures press on them.

Restoration of teeth

If the teeth are partially destroyed or worn out, they are restored in several ways:

Such a solution will provide a uniform and full chewing, and will prevent overloading of the joint in the future.

The effectiveness of therapeutic measures

After complex treatment, the friction of the articular surfaces decreases, the crunch is not heard.

There is an improvement in all indicators:

• tense muscles relax;
• go away pain when opening the mouth;
• expands the range of motion of the jaw;
• makes eating easier;
• convulsions stop,
• is not bothered by headaches and discomfort in the neck.

But you need to understand that the crunch in the jaw, as a symptom of arthrosis of the TMJ, can be cured at 1-2 stages. Otherwise, they resort to surgical intervention as a last resort in case of pronounced morphological changes in the joint.

Doctor’s advice

During and after treatment, you will have to change your habits and daily lifestyle. The set of restrictions is small, but they must be observed constantly.

During treatment it is impossible :

• Eat solid food – the more pronounced the symptoms of the disease, the softer the prepared food should be, up to cereals, puree soups, kissels and juices
• Use chewing gum – prolonged mechanical stress provokes an exacerbation of arthrosis
• Practice vocals – prolonged singing leads to fatigue of facial muscles, excessive movements in the joint

Required after treatment

Frequently asked questions from patients

What medicines are prescribed for the treatment of jaw crunch?

As a rule, these are:

• Analgesics. Effective drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Quickly reduce pain and swelling.
• Preparations based on medical bile, bee or snake venom. Before using them, be sure to make sure that there is no allergy.
• Antispasmodics. Tableted forms of muscle relaxants relax the facial muscles well and eliminate pain.
• Adrenal hormones. Prescribed for severe pain. Drugs inhibit inflammation, relieve swelling.
• Chondroprotectors. Restore cartilage.

All drugs should be taken only on prescription, according to a certain regimen and in prescribed dosages. Uncontrolled intake can only aggravate the situation!

Levin Dmitry Valerievich
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Head Physician of Center

What to do if treatment with a gnatologist does not help?

Cracking in the jaw, as a symptom of TMJ arthrosis, can be cured in stages 1-2. Otherwise, they resort to surgical intervention as a last resort in case of pronounced morphological changes in the joint. There are several options for surgical intervention:

• mandibular cartilage plasty;
• reduction of the articular disc;
• suturing of the joint capsule and sprained ligaments;
• intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid simulating joint fluid.

If the joint is so damaged that movement in it is impossible, the meniscus and head of the mandible are removed and arthroplasty is performed.

These methods are quite aggressive and not always successful – the functions of the joint are not fully restored, so it is better to start treatment in the early stages when the first symptoms appear.

Levin Dmitry Valerievich
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon, chief physician of the Center

Is it possible to get rid of the crunch in the joint by home methods?

Unlike other diseases (infectious, colds), joint diseases do not disappear on their own, they only get worse with time. To leave jaw arthrosis without due attention means to bring the onset of complete immobility in the joint closer.

Excessive enthusiasm for folk remedies leads to similar results. Rubbing extracts of propolis and eucalyptus, olive oil and cedar resin, beeswax compresses do not affect the function of the affected joint in any way – medicinal substances only nourish the skin, but do not penetrate into the joint cavity.

Levin Dmitry Valerievich
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Head Physician of Center

Levin Dmitry Valerievich

Author of the article. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon, chief physician of the Center

Published: 07/08/2022

Updated: 06/06/2023

Methods for fixing removable dentures

The ease of use of removable dentures is determined by the quality of their manufacture. One of the main points is fixation. The completeness of the restoration of lost functions largely depends on how the structures hold up after installation. Our specialists have extensive experience in removable prosthetics, we create designs in our own dental laboratory of the Center, therefore we bear full responsibility for the result. The use of advanced technologies and the latest materials enables us to create stable, comfortable prostheses of a decent quality level .

The options for fixing dentures in the oral cavity differ depending on the number of missing teeth. For partial teeth, preserved teeth are used, for complete teeth, anatomical formations of the upper and lower jaws are used.

Removable partial dentures fixation methods

A partial denture is used to restore one to several teeth. The design consists of artificial crowns soldered into a basis imitating the gum. The prosthesis is installed on the abutment teeth with the help of fasteners of a certain type.

Clasp system – for lamellar constructions

Partial dentures with a plastic base are fixed on sufficiently strong abutment teeth. As fasteners can be used:

Locking and telescopic types of fastening – for clasp

Removable dentures on a metal frame (clasp) can also be fixed on the abutment teeth using hook-clasps. In this case, the fasteners are made only of metal, they are an element of the arch of the prosthesis. This makes them noticeable, especially when located on the incisors or canines.

But when restoring teeth with clasp structures, aesthetics is no less important than functionality, since these prostheses are the most reliable and are designed for long-term use. Therefore, instead of hooks, as a rule, the following are used:

Removable prosthesis can be comfortable !

Comfort of use depends not only on how the prosthesis is attached, but also on the quality of its manufacture. An expensive, properly designed removable denture will restore the beauty of a smile, the ability to chew normally and will last more than 10 years. At the same time, no rubbing, falling out, displacements – complete comfort!

Levin Dmitry Valeryevich

Chief physician and founder of the Doctor Levin Center

Attachment of complete removable dentures – due to which they are held in the absence of all teeth

A complete denture imitates the natural jaw. The design consists of an artificial gum (base), for the manufacture of which hard or flexible plastic is used, and a set of crowns.

When fixing prostheses on the edentulous jaw, physical, mechanical and biological factors are taken into account. The main method used in modern orthopedics takes into account all three, forming biomechanical and biophysical types of prosthesis fixation.

In order for the structure to be held in the oral cavity, the combined action of factors is used:

1. Adhesion forces (physical factor)
   Acts when two wet surfaces are joined together. In this case, the prosthesis is wetted by saliva and adheres to the mucous membrane. The quality of adhesion depends on the viscosity of the salivary fluid, but in any case, this factor alone is not enough for reliable fixation.
2. Valve mechanism (mechanical factor)
   When installing the prosthesis, the edges of its base are tightly connected to the gum, slightly compressing the mucosa. The soft fabric then regains its shape, expelling all the air. As a result, a pressure difference is created, and the basis sticks tightly to the gum.
3. Anatomical characteristics (biological factor)
   Alveolar processes that protrude in place of former teeth also contribute to the retention of the prosthesis. On the upper jaw, part of the palate is additionally used. But with adentia, bone tissue atrophy progresses rapidly, which reduces the effectiveness of anatomical fixation.

Types of conditionally removable dentures on implants – for a better fit

There is only one way to maximize the comfort of using a removable denture in the absence of all teeth: fix it on implants . At the same time, the design differs in a less voluminous basis, does not overlap the palate on the upper jaw. It does not need to be additionally fixed with gels or creams, since it does not move or fall out.

For reliable fixation in the lower jaw, it is enough to place 2-4 implants. For a looser bone of the upper jaw, 4 supports will be needed. This is the minimum number, for even loading with severe bone atrophy, up to 6 implants may be needed.

Removable Implant Retention Systems Options:

Benefits of Full Denture on Implants :

Mini Implant Dentures

also use reduced models of implants. Such designs are only 1.8-2.4 mm in diameter and 6-10 mm in height. They are installed by puncturing the mucous membranes, without preliminary incisions. But in this case, only push-button fixation of the prosthesis is possible.

Removable prosthesis on mini-implants is installed on the day of surgery. By the evening the patient can chew. The procedure costs less than a standard implant, healing is faster .

But there are also disadvantages. Only a lightweight design can be installed on mini-implants, which cannot be fully loaded and used for a long time. Therefore, fixing on such supports is most often used as as a temporary version of .

Improved physiology can be achieved using the Fixed Prosthetics technology on All-on-4 implants. The All-on-6 and All-on-8 protocols can rightfully be considered the most ideal.

Standards and technologies of our Center

Removable prosthetics can be a worthy alternative to implantation. To achieve this goal, we use special technologies and strictly follow our own quality standards.

Computed tomography – for valid data

Research is carried out on a modern and convenient 3D dental apparatus Galileos (Germany)

• Obtaining data on the size and density of the jawbone
• TMJ examination (temporomandibular joints)
• Assessment of the condition of the teeth on which the prosthesis will be fixed

Functional diagnosis – for correct bite

We work with high-quality articulation systems SAM3, Protar or Amann Girrbach

• Determination of the correct jaw ratio even in the absence of teeth
• Customized prosthesis
• Customized prosthesis

Digital technology – for precision solutions

We use a photo protocol, intraoral 3D scanning and computer design of orthopedic systems

• High precision digital impressions
• Modeling and visualization of the design of the prosthesis

In-house laboratory – for error-free manufacturing

In-house laboratory: for error-free manufacturing

• Fast communication between orthopedist and dental technician
• Elimination of errors and distortion of data in the transmission of information

How to make the perfect removable denture that will stay in place?

The owner of a modern high-quality removable prosthesis eats with pleasure, communicates, smiles.