Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Clinic

The TMJ and Masticatory Muscle Disorders Clinic focuses on diagnosing, treating, and monitoring patients with mechanical, inflammatory, or structural disorders of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory system. The clinic combines a multidisciplinary team including oral and maxillofacial surgeons, pain specialists, physiotherapists, oral rehabilitation specialists, and rheumatologists to provide comprehensive, personalized care

Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorders:

• Pain in the joint area.
• Clicking or “noises” in the TMJ.
• Limited jaw movement.
• Difficulty chewing and speaking.
• Changes in occlusion.
• Facial asymmetry and deformities.

Types of TMJ Disorders:

•  Tumors and pathologies
• Congenital or acquired deformities, such as underdevelopment or overgrowth of the TMJ.
• Mechanical disorders.
•  Degenerative and inflammatory diseases.
•  Hypermobility, presenting as recurrent dislocations or open jaw locking.
•  Hypomobility (ankylosis) and closed jaw locking.

Clinic Structure

• Diagnosis and Follow-Up Clinic: Comprehensive diagnosis of TMJ and masticatory muscle disorder including:
• Clinical examinations and advanced imaging (CT, MRI).
• Structural and functional assessments through detailed clinical evaluations.
•  Development of personalized treatment plans based on the patient’s needs and severity of the disorder, including second opinions.

Treatment Process

Accurate Diagnosis: Includes advanced imaging, clinical examinations, followed by  arthroscopy for in-depth assesment if needed.

Conservative Treatments:

• Occlusal splints to reduce joint and muscle loads.

• Customized medication for muscular, inflammatory or neural pain.
•  Botulinum toxin injections to reduce muscle tension.

Minimally Invasive Treatments:

• Arthrocentesis: Joint cavity lavage and lysis of adhesions.
• Arthroscopy: Direct diagnosis and treatment of joint tissues using a camera and miniature tools.
• Open Surgery: For complex cases unresponsive to conservative or minimally invasive treatments, open surgery is performed to restore joint structure and function.
• Joint Replacement: In severe cases, 3D planning is used for custom joint design and replacement, ensuring optimal functionality.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

The clinic works closely with additional teams:

• Pain specialists and physiotherapists for improving TMJ function and treating masticatory muscle pain.
• Oral rehabilitation experts for treating occlusal factors, fitting occlusal splints to reduce TMJ loads.
• Rheumatologists for advice and treatment in cases of rheumatic diseases.

Complementary Services:

Personalized consultation and guidance at pain clinics.
Targeted head-neck physiotherapy exercises.
Ongoing follow-up and improvement, including rheumatological and nutritional advice.

Tips for Visiting the Clinic:

• Referral letter with relevant medical information and background
• Relevant imaging: X-rays and advanced imaging (CT, MRI) if avaliable
•  For asymmetry or jaw deviation cases, it is recommended to bring old photographs for comparison.