My Jaw Keeps Clicking And Is Worse In The Morning. Any Ideas On What This Could Be And How To Fix It?
Q.
Hello Mark. I have arthritis in my jaw but have not been seen or treated by a doctor. My jaw always clicks and is usually worse in the mornings (possibly grinding my teeth when I sleep). Today my jaw is very painful on the right side and it is getting worse as the day goes on. My bite has suddenly changed this evening and won’t go back. Any ideas what this could be and how to fix it? Or where to start with getting treated? Thank you.
Hello Mark. I have arthritis in my jaw but have not been seen or treated by a doctor. My jaw always clicks and is usually worse in the mornings (possibly grinding my teeth when I sleep). Today my jaw is very painful on the right side and it is getting worse as the day goes on. My bite has suddenly changed this evening and won’t go back. Any ideas what this could be and how to fix it? Or where to start with getting treated? Thank you.
A.
Hello. It sounds like a derangement in the joint with maybe the joint disc slipping or popping off, which is what we term the condyle. We would need to do more investigations and maybe take an MRI scan to ascertain what it might be. My advice would be to go and see a dentist who is very experienced or has a special interest in treating TMJ problems (Temporo-mandibular Joint) – this is sometimes called TMD (Temporo-mandibular Disorder). Treatment usually begins with a specially made bite splint appliance. Regards, Mark.
Hello. It sounds like a derangement in the joint with maybe the joint disc slipping or popping off, which is what we term the condyle. We would need to do more investigations and maybe take an MRI scan to ascertain what it might be. My advice would be to go and see a dentist who is very experienced or has a special interest in treating TMJ problems (Temporo-mandibular Joint) – this is sometimes called TMD (Temporo-mandibular Disorder). Treatment usually begins with a specially made bite splint appliance. Regards, Mark.
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