How to Address Misaligned Teeth After a Head Injury
Shoulder pain? If something fell and hit your head, causing your mouth to appear misaligned and your teeth to be out of their normal arrangement, what should you do?
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Hello, if your chin has suffered a heavy impact, you should see a dentist to check if the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is injured or inflamed, which could lead to malocclusion. Medication or wearing a bite splint can help alleviate the symptoms. Wishing you safety and good healt...[Read More] How to Address Misaligned Teeth After a Head Injury
Understanding Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Causes and Treatments
Temporomandibular joint issues? Hello Doctor, I am currently 21 years old. Recently, I have been experiencing pain and sounds below my right ear when I open my mouth and chew, possibly due to my frequent consumption of enoki mushrooms. I understand that this may be a temporomandi...
Dr. Zhang Xiangyuan Reply:
Dear user, based on your description, you are experiencing pain and sounds in the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) when opening your mouth and chewing. It is recommended to temporarily avoid overly tough foods in your diet. You may also try applying a warm towel to the painful...[Read More] Understanding Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Causes and Treatments
Understanding Left Jaw Pain: Causes, Treatments, and Recovery
Left temporomandibular joint pain? Hello, about a month ago, I noticed that my left cheek hurts when I open my mouth, so I went to a large hospital and visited the emergency department (they referred me to the dental department). Initially, they suggested it might be a temporoman...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Mei, Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is similar to a cold in that it can improve but may still recur. Some individuals may experience bruxism or clenching due to emotional factors or stress, even if they do not grind their teeth at night. In addition to medication, t...[Read More] Understanding Left Jaw Pain: Causes, Treatments, and Recovery
Understanding Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Symptoms and Solutions
Is it temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)? Hello Doctor, I’m not sure if my condition qualifies as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), as I don’t experience pain when opening my mouth. Initially, I felt a clicking sensation in the left joint area when I opened my mouth, an...
Dr. Zhang Xiangyuan Reply:
Dear netizen, Based on your description, it seems that during the process of opening your mouth, you feel a clicking sensation in the left side of the joint. The movement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) appears to be restricted. The TMJ structure contains articular cartila...[Read More] Understanding Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Symptoms and Solutions
Choosing Between Dental Implants and Traditional Dentures: What You Need to Know
Choosing dentures for malocclusion? 1. I had a root canal treatment on a tooth in third grade, and now in my second year of high school, that tooth is loose. The doctor said it needs to be extracted and suggested that dental implants or traditional dentures have lower risks and c...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Yi Yi, 1. You are quite young, and if you opt for a traditional dental bridge after tooth extraction, there is a high risk of pulp necrosis in the abutment teeth due to the required grinding. Dental implants would be a better option. Of course, you could also wait a few yea...[Read More] Choosing Between Dental Implants and Traditional Dentures: What You Need to Know
Understanding Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Symptoms, Treatments, and FAQs
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you again about my condition. On September 2nd, I mentioned that my temporomandibular joint (TMJ) does not hurt, but when I open my mouth, I have to first open the right side and hear a click, then the left side als...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Zhong Zhong, Hello, you should not wear the occlusal splint while eating; it needs to be removed. There are almost no side effects, and since you are still young, you can wear the occlusal splint for three months and then reassess. This will also help identify the underlyin...[Read More] Understanding Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Symptoms, Treatments, and FAQs
Understanding Jaw Joint Issues: Impact and Disability Considerations
Temporomandibular joint issues? Hello, doctor. I was born with a rightward deviation of my mouth, and I am unable to force my mouth to the left. Additionally, I have a congenital asymmetry of the jaw joint that produces sounds and symptoms of locking, but my face is not visibly s...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Mr. Chen, Hello. One possible reason for the deviation of your mouth when opening is that there may be adhesions in one of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), while the other side remains mobile, causing the mouth to tilt towards the immobile side. Another possibility is th...[Read More] Understanding Jaw Joint Issues: Impact and Disability Considerations
Understanding Jaw Pain: Is It TMJ or Wisdom Teeth Issues?
Inability to open the mouth wide? Hello, doctor. Recently, I've noticed that when I eat, especially burgers or steamed buns, if I open my mouth too wide, the joint on the right side at the back hurts. Some people say it might be related to my wisdom teeth or a temporomandibu...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Ting, Hello. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can present with symptoms such as clicking or popping sounds during jaw opening and closing, as well as jaw deviation upon opening. In contrast, wisdom teeth issues typically manifest as swelling and pain in the posterior...[Read More] Understanding Jaw Pain: Is It TMJ or Wisdom Teeth Issues?
Understanding Temporomandibular Joint Issues: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask you about my temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It doesn't hurt, but when I open my mouth, I have to first open the right side and hear a click, then the left side also clicks, and I can only open my mouth fully in...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Miss Zhong Zhong, Hello, you have a meniscus displacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Direct reduction is difficult because it is not a dislocation. Medication treatment or the use of an occlusal splint can be effective, but it may take a longer time since it is c...[Read More] Understanding Temporomandibular Joint Issues: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Managing TMJ Pain During Pregnancy: Seeking Alternative Dental Care
Temporomandibular joint concerns? Dear Dr. Huang, I am the pregnant woman for whom you made the occlusal splint. Last time, I inquired about my original right joint pain, but now it has shifted to the left side (the right side still feels uncomfortable, but not as painful as the...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Hello, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a very unique joint in the body, as both sides work in a coupled manner. Therefore, if one side has an issue, the other side will eventually be affected as well. Please bring your occlusal splint and come directly to the clinic; I will ...[Read More] Managing TMJ Pain During Pregnancy: Seeking Alternative Dental Care
Understanding TMJ Disorders: Symptoms and Concerns for Teens
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) When I open my mouth wide, I hear a sound on the right side. When I close my mouth and lightly bite my teeth together, there is also a sound. Additionally, when I press on the area of my masseter muscle, it feels a bit sore. So far, I am only experie...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Xiao Ming, Hello. The sound when opening and closing your mouth is due to the displacement of the articular disc in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Sometimes, unilateral chewing, nighttime bruxism, or stress from schoolwork can lead to muscle tension and pain, causing th...[Read More] Understanding TMJ Disorders: Symptoms and Concerns for Teens
Understanding Jaw Clicking: Is It Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Hello doctor, when I open my mouth wide, I hear a sound in my right jaw, and when I close my mouth and slightly clench my teeth, there is also a sound in my right jaw, but there is no pain! I have no difficulty opening or closing my mouth! Could this...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Mr. Hsu, Hello, you do indeed exhibit symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, but the severity can only be determined through a clinical examination. Certain detrimental oral habits, such as unilateral chewing, clenching your teeth, or even nocturnal bruxism, ca...[Read More] Understanding Jaw Clicking: Is It Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?
Understanding Retruded Chin: Causes, Concerns, and Treatment Options
Retreating chin Hello, Doctor: I recently noticed that my chin seems to be receding more than before, making my face look somewhat like a fish's head. Should I see a dentist, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) specialist, or a plastic surgeon? Additionally, I have a slight over...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it seems that there is insufficient development of the mandible, resulting in a Class II malocclusion, which may cause anterior displacement of the articular disc. This can lead to clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth due to frictio...[Read More] Understanding Retruded Chin: Causes, Concerns, and Treatment Options
Understanding TMJ Disorders: Pain Management and Treatment Options
Temporomandibular joint concerns? Hello Dr. Huang, I visited you in June due to occlusal pain in my right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (I was the one who was six months pregnant and had asked you questions online before the appointment). After using the occlusal splint for a whi...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Hello: The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) on both sides interact with each other; if one side is unbalanced, the other side may also experience issues. An occlusal splint is used to balance the bite and prevent teeth grinding and clenching, but it requires adjustment to ensure ev...[Read More] Understanding TMJ Disorders: Pain Management and Treatment Options
Understanding the Impact of Occlusal Splints on TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular joint occlusal splint Hello, Doctor: I am a patient with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. I have been wearing an occlusal splint for over a year, and this is my second splint. The first one was replaced because I continued to experience joint pain and dis...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Jenny: Hello, the occlusal splint typically used for general temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders is a flat occlusal splint, which can be worn throughout the day without causing anterior open bite. It is important to consider whether there are any detrimental habits (su...[Read More] Understanding the Impact of Occlusal Splints on TMJ Disorders
Understanding Dental Discomfort: Causes and Solutions for Bite Issues
I've been experiencing discomfort in my bite for the past two weeks? Hello, doctor. At the end of June, I had my wisdom tooth cause a crack in my molar, which often results in cuts on my tongue, so I went to see a dentist. (Since the nerve in that molar was removed, I didn&#...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Runrun, Hello. Wisdom teeth can easily cause issues due to their improper positioning, leading to food impaction that may result in cavities in the second molars. Under occlusion, they can cause tooth damage, and their sharp edges can injure the back of the tongue, leading ...[Read More] Understanding Dental Discomfort: Causes and Solutions for Bite Issues
Managing Jaw Pain: Over-the-Counter Solutions and Treatment Options
Temporomandibular joint pain Hello, doctor. For the past two weeks, I have been experiencing significant pain in my left temporomandibular joint (TMJ) when biting down, although it is not severe enough to prevent me from opening my mouth to eat or drink. I occasionally use a warm...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Jerry, You are suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder). Knowing that you are studying abroad and likely belong to a younger demographic, the joint pain you are experiencing may be due to the attachment of several masticatory muscles to the condyle, wh...[Read More] Managing Jaw Pain: Over-the-Counter Solutions and Treatment Options
Understanding TMJ Pain: Can Orthodontic Treatment Help?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) I am currently experiencing pain in my temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and at times, I have difficulty opening my mouth. I had an X-ray taken, and there was no damage to the joint. The clinic mentioned that my deep bite combined with high stress level...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Siqi, Hello. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are related to malocclusion. If pharmacological treatment is ineffective, we should start with functional occlusal therapy, such as a flat occlusal splint, and once the symptoms subside, we can evaluate whether to use som...[Read More] Understanding TMJ Pain: Can Orthodontic Treatment Help?
Jaw Clicking After Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Causes and Solutions
After having my wisdom teeth removed, my jaw joint feels stiff? Last summer, I had two wisdom teeth extracted (one from the upper left and one from the lower left). The doctor had to exert a lot of force to remove my lower left wisdom tooth, which was probably difficult to extrac...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Hello, the clicking sound in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is due to the anterior displacement of the articular disc. Many individuals actually have underlying causes that have been present for a long time; however, during wisdom tooth extraction, the need to open the mouth w...[Read More] Jaw Clicking After Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Causes and Solutions
Understanding TMJ Issues During Pregnancy: Treatment Options and Concerns
Temporomandibular joint concerns? Hello, Dr. Huang. I would like to ask you a few questions. I am currently about six months pregnant and have recently noticed a "clicking" sound when I open my mouth. When I chew with my left teeth, my right temporomandibular joint some...
Dr. Huang Zhicheng Reply:
Dear Tina, Many patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders often ask if they will experience a recurrence after treatment. You may be experiencing a recurrence of this condition. Pregnancy can be quite challenging, and work-related stress is one of the main contributi...[Read More] Understanding TMJ Issues During Pregnancy: Treatment Options and Concerns