Diagnostics of the temporomandibular joints

Services / Diagnostics of the temporomandibular joints

Comprehensive diagnostics provided at our Centre allows us to effectively treat and rehabilitate the temporomandibular disorders.

Leczenie stawów skroniowo-żuchwowych Warszawa

The temporomandibular joint (jaw joint) joins the mandible with the temporal bone. Between the two bones there is an articular disc to ensure a perfect fit. This is one of the most complicated joints in the human body as it is composed of a number of muscles, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels important for our health.

A correct functioning of the jaw joint is essential for the physiology of the mastication organ. It is vital to ensure its correct operation because we use it every day: when we speak, sing, eat, chew gum etc.

What are the symptoms?

If you have headaches, feel pain in the area of your temples or jawbone, involuntarily clench or grind your teeth, it may mean that you suffer from temporomandibular disorders. This is a serious problem and should not be taken lightly. Do not hesitate to visit our dental surgery in Warsaw for a consultation with joint examination. Our team is composed of highly qualified doctors specialising in diagnostics and therapy of the temporomandibular joints. We offer consultation, diagnostics and treatment, as well as post-treatment care – there is also a physiotherapist in our team specialising in rehabilitation of patients with temporomandibular diseases.

Treatment stages

During the first visit in the dental surgery, the doctor gathers information on your medical history and performs manual examination of the head and neck muscles, temporomandibular joints and joint capsules. He or she also assesses the function of the tongue and dentition, and checks if the upper and lower teeth come into contact correctly (occlusion). The doctor identifies the cause of the headache, face pain and backache, as well as diagnoses the problem behind cracking in the jaw joints.
A panoramic radiograph of the mandible is taken to examine and compare both joints.
After initial diagnostics, the doctor may order additional tests, such as head or spine MRI, laryngological examination or blood tests.
Based on the test results and the medical history, the doctor makes a thorough diagnosis and proposes the treatment for the temporomandibular joints, e.g. with an appliance relaxing the head and neck muscles worn at night (occlusal splint therapy/ dental guard) and rehabilitation of the jaw joints.
He or she refers you to a physiotherapist to reduce clenching of teeth and improve the muscle flexibility.
The patient is referred to other specialist dentists as the therapy of the temporomandibular joints is very often combined with orthodontic and prosthetic treatment (e.g. bite elevation).
The dentists proposes self-treatment, i.e. learning how to do exercises at home.

Physiotherapy of the temporomandibular joints

Rehabilitation of the temporomandibular joints conducted by a physiotherapist consists in muscle deprogramming and relaxation based on:

There are many factors responsible for the temporomandibular disorders:

Stress
Grinding and clenching of teeth
Bad posture
Arthritis
Parafunctions, e.g. nail and cuticle biting, biting of pencils, excessive chewing of gum
Malocclusion
Missing teeth

The disorders and habits listed above affect muscles, keeping them in constant contraction and triggering pathological changes in the structure of the temporomandibular joints. Such changes lead to migraines, headaches, fatigue of the facial muscles and other disorders, e.g. spine pain, pain of the hip joint, knee pain.

Tooth grinding and clenching suggests bruxism, a nervous and muscle condition, manifested by clenching of the jaws and grinding of the teeth, which leads to changes in the temporomandibular joints. The therapy consists in crafting a dental guard worn by the patient on the teeth at night and as long as possible during the day. In such cases, the doctor also often recommends physiotherapy of the jaw joints. Untreated bruxism may cause numerous health problems, such as: headaches, pain of the spine, hearing or sight problems.

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For more specific information about our services, please contact the reception desk or fill in the form below – we will contact you. Filling in the contact form does not mean that you have scheduled an appointment.

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Consultation on the temporomandibular joints with examination	PLN 400
Consultation + manual therapy by a physiotherapist	PLN 150
Follow-up visit (dental guard)	PLN 150
Follow-up visit + manual therapy by a physiotherapist	PLN 150

A correct functioning of the jaw joint is essential for the physiology of the mastication organ. It is vital to ensure its correct operation because we use it every day: when we speak, sing, eat, chew gum etc.

What are the temporomandibular disorders?

Causes behind the temporomandibular disorders

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of temporomandibular disorders:

Treatment stages

Physiotherapy of the temporomandibular joints

Benefits of the temporomandibular joint therapy:

FAQs

1. What causes the temporomandibular disorders?

2. Does the clicking and cracking when I open my mouth mean that there is something wrong with my jaw joint?

3. Is chewing of gum bad for the jaw joint?

4. Is tooth grinding and clenching harmful?

Our Doctors

physiotherapist Piotr Połowniak

D.M.D. Justyna Sędkiewicz

Price list

Scheduled an appointment