TMJ pain can be caused by arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint disk displacement, or bruxism. These symptoms do not resolve on their own, so it is important to identify the cause and start treatment as early as possible.

If the joint hurts, clicks, or pops, you should consult a gnathologist. The Doctor Dent clinic in Astana employs experienced specialists who conduct examinations using modern diagnostic equipment, provide an accurate diagnosis, and prescribe effective treatment.

If you have discovered signs of pain or discomfort in the TMJ, book a consultation with our gnathologist.

Patients come to us with issues such as:

• tooth wear
• clicking and popping in the joint
• pain when opening the mouth
• bruxism
• headaches or ringing in the ears

Our specialists perform a full examination and select an individual treatment plan.

A gnathologist studies the relationship between teeth, bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. Their primary specialization is pathologies of the temporomandibular joint and the chewing muscles. A gnathologist works in a team with an orthodontist to diagnose and treat bite disorders.

At the Doctor Dent clinic, you can undergo a full examination by various specialists.

The TMJ connects the lower jaw to the base of the skull, allowing the jaw to move up and down, forward and backward, and side to side. It is active during chewing, swallowing, yawning, and speaking. Pathology of any joint element—bones, cartilage, ligaments, or the joint disk—is called TMJ dysfunction and requires treatment.

Pain can be related to both physiological and psychological factors:

• bad habits (nail-biting, opening packages with teeth)
• bite misalignment
• chewing on one side when teeth are missing
• bruxism
• increased load on the joint
• endocrine and metabolic disorders
• infectious diseases
• injuries, dislocations
• faulty prosthetics
• chronic stress

Consult a doctor if you notice:

• limited jaw mobility
• “locking” of the joint
• pain or discomfort in the TMJ
• clicking and popping sounds during movement
• facial asymmetry
• facial muscle spasms
• pain in the temples

Most commonly, TMJ pathologies are:

• myogenic — due to improper muscle function
• arthrogenic — due to problems within the joint itself

Key conditions:

• arthritis
• osteoarthritis
• bruxism
• excessive tooth wear
• joint block
• joint disk displacement
• collapsed bite (reduced vertical dimension)

After taking a medical history, the doctor may prescribe:

• digital scanning of tooth occlusion
• computed tomography (CT)
• articulator and facebow studies
• condylography — recording joint movements to identify pathologies

Treatment is comprehensive, involving a gnathologist, orthodontist, general dentist, and surgeon. The primary goal is to restore the correct bite and joint function.

Possible methods:

• Splint therapy — custom mouthguards to relax muscles and stabilize the joint
• Orthodontic treatment — correcting tooth position
• Orthopedic treatment — restoring damaged teeth
• Taping — supporting the joint with elastic tapes
• Botulinum toxin therapy — injections to relax facial muscles

If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical intervention followed by rehabilitation is indicated.

The TMJ is one of the most active joints. Disruptions in its function interfere with chewing, swallowing, yawning, and speaking. If there is pain, clicking, limited movement, or discomfort, you should consult a gnathologist as early as possible.

Ignoring the problem leads to the progression of TMJ diseases and may cause total immobility of the lower jaw.