TMJ Treatment & Gnathology
Functional diagnostics and treatment of TMJ disorders
TMJ Treatment at Polyclinic.ae
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull. It works every time you chew, speak, swallow or yawn, alongside the muscles of your face and neck and the way your teeth meet. When this system falls out of balance, you can develop a TMJ disorder: jaw pain, clicking, muscle tension, headaches, worn teeth and, over time, changes in facial symmetry.
Gnathology is the area of dentistry that studies this relationship between the teeth, the muscles and the joint. At Polyclinic.ae the service is led by Dr. Svetlana Volkova, a prosthodontist and gnathologist, and Head of the Dental Department. She identifies the cause of your symptoms, explains the findings and proposes a treatment plan. Where needed, oral surgeons, orthodontists and other clinic specialists, such as neurologists and ENT doctors, join in.
Services
All services| TMJ consultation with a gnathologist | 590 AED |
Service provided by
All doctors
Dr. Svetlana Volkova
We take a comprehensive, system-based approach. Our services include:
- MRI of the TMJ;
- functional diagnostics of the TMJ;
- splint therapy: custom splints made in our own dental laboratory;
- arthrocentesis: a washout of the joint (joint lavage);
- functional prosthodontics and full-mouth rehabilitation: veneers, crowns and prosthetics planned around how your jaw joint works.
Your TMJ Appointment at Polyclinic.ae
On top of a routine dental examination, Dr. Volkova takes a detailed history: your symptoms, headaches, habits, lifestyle, sport, stress, sleep and any orthodontic treatment you had as a child. She then examines the joint and chewing muscles by hand. She looks for tension and asymmetry and checks how your mouth opens, whether there is clicking and at what point it occurs, and whether the jaw ever locks.
TMJ consultation with a gnathologist: 590 AED
After the consultation, your doctor can tell whether your symptoms come from the joint. If they do, a full functional assessment is needed: TMJ MRI, cephalometric analysis, face-bow registration, bite (occlusal) analysis and articulator-mounted models. The full assessment costs 4,900 AED. It shows what is really happening in the joint and allows your doctor to propose a clear, realistic treatment plan.
TMJ Treatment and Bite Correction
Every treatment plan is tailored to the patient. Once the cause has been identified, treatment usually involves two stages.
- Splint therapy. Your doctor will choose a custom splint to suit your condition and ask you to wear it exactly as directed. The splint gradually guides the jaw joint into its natural position and relaxes the muscles. Pain eases, clicking lessens and the joint settles. It is not the final treatment, but it is a critical stage: it shows how your teeth should actually meet.
- Securing the result. Once the joint is in the right position, treatment continues with orthodontics, prosthodontics or sometimes both. Inlays, crowns, veneers or a full-mouth rehabilitation then hold the new position permanently.
If the cause is inflammation in the joint rather than the bite, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Monir Alshakaki, can perform arthrocentesis, a minimally invasive procedure that flushes out the joint space.
TMJ MRI
Why is MRI so important in diagnosing TMJ disorders? Inside the joint sits a disc, a small cartilage cushion that absorbs load and guides movement. Because it is soft tissue, it cannot be seen on a clinical examination, an X-ray or a CT scan. Only an MRI shows:
- where the disc sits with the mouth closed and open;
- whether it returns to position as the jaw moves;
- the condition of the condyle (the head of the jawbone) and the surrounding tissues.
The scan determines the treatment approach. Your doctor orders it at your appointment, and the results go straight into your treatment plan. TMJ MRI is included in the functional diagnostics package. It can also be done on its own, on a doctor’s referral, for 1,350 AED, here at the clinic.
TMJ Health and Veneers
Why should the joint be checked before veneers, and especially before a full-mouth rehabilitation? Veneers, crowns and implants change how your teeth meet, which changes the load on your joint and muscles. If the joint has not been assessed first, you may develop clicking, pain, tooth wear, chipping or loose veneers.
That is why, before any cosmetic work, we assess how your jaw functions and only then plan the restorations. This approach is known as functional prosthodontics, and it is the one our dentists follow.
Treatment follows three stages
Why Choose Polyclinic.ae for TMJ Disorders
Indications and contraindications
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a gnathologist do?
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A gnathologist diagnoses and treats TMJ disorders and problems with the chewing muscles and the bite, including clicking, jaw pain, bruxism and tooth wear. Orthodontists and surgeons join the treatment when needed.
- Should I see a specialist if my jaw only clicks?
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Not necessarily. But if the clicking is frequent, getting louder or painful, or your mouth opens less easily, an assessment is advisable.
- Is ear pain always a TMJ problem?
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No, although it often is. Pain near the ear can come from the joint, the muscles, the teeth or the ear itself, so we establish the exact cause first.
- Is difficulty opening my mouth always a joint problem?
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Not always. It can be caused by TMJ dysfunction or by a severe muscle spasm, and an assessment tells the two apart. It is best not to wait: early treatment is more effective.
- Does everyone with a TMJ disorder need a splint?
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If the problem lies in the joint or the bite, a splint is usually the first stage of treatment. If the assessment finds no disorder, you do not need one.
- Can bruxism be treated?
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Yes. We find the cause of the overload, then provide a splint or a protective night guard to reduce the strain and protect your teeth.
- Can headaches come from the jaw?
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Yes, particularly pain in the temples and the back of the head linked to clenching. Headaches have many causes, so your doctor checks the joint and muscles and refers you to a neurologist when needed.
- Can ringing in the ears be linked to the TMJ?
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Sometimes. Ear conditions are ruled out first. If nothing is found and the ringing comes with clicking and muscle tension, the joint is examined.
- How can I tell whether my teeth meet incorrectly?
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Typical signs are fast enamel wear, jaw pain, clicking, facial asymmetry, persistent headaches and a feeling that your bite has changed. An occlusal analysis gives a definite answer.
- Can the jaw affect speech and breathing?
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It can. TMJ dysfunction and bite problems may influence speech and nasal breathing. A therapeutic splint does not treat snoring: for snoring and sleep apnoea a different appliance is used, and apnoea is diagnosed with a sleep study.
- Can facial asymmetry be corrected?
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If it is caused by the bite or the joint, treatment can reduce it. The assessment identifies the cause.
- Will I need surgery?
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Usually not. If conservative treatment is not enough or the joint is locked, arthrocentesis, a washout of the joint without incisions, may be offered.
- How long does treatment take?
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It depends on the cause. A splint is typically worn for several months, followed, if needed, by orthodontics or prosthodontics. We give you exact timelines after the assessment.
- Can TMJ treatment be combined with braces or aligners?
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Yes. Your orthodontist and gnathologist work together: the aim is not only straight teeth but also the correct position of the jaw and joint.
- Can I have veneers if I have a TMJ disorder?
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Yes, after an assessment and, as a rule, once the joint has been relieved.
- When should I come in: at the first symptoms or as a precaution?
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Ideally at the first signs: clicking, pain or headaches. An assessment before veneers or orthodontics is also worthwhile, even if you have no symptoms.
- Can I get a second opinion, or have only a diagnostic assessment?
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Yes. Your doctor will review your existing scans and reports and decide whether further tests are needed. Many patients come for exactly this.
Our specialists are ready to answer your questions
Expert recommendation
A single symptom does not necessarily point to a TMJ disorder. If symptoms occur together, keep coming back or get worse, we recommend an assessment. The earlier the cause is found, the simpler treatment usually is.
