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From the Doctor
TMJ pain
gets worse if you endure it
“My jaw clicks but it'll be fine” — so many people leave it untreated.
However, TMJ disorder is simple to treat early, but becomes chronic if neglected, making treatment much more difficult.
TMJ pain can lead to systemic symptoms such as headaches, shoulder stiffness, and tinnitus. An accurate diagnosis is the beginning of proper treatment.
Dr. Lee Dong-hyun
Comprehensive Dentistry Specialist · Godeok First Dental Head Doctor
70%
Percentage of adults who have experienced TMJ disorder
3x
Risk of becoming chronic if left untreated — early treatment is key
85%
Percentage improved with conservative (non-surgical) treatment
Self Check
If you have these symptoms,
suspect a TMJ disorder
If 2 or more of the symptoms below apply,
we recommend getting a specialist examination.
Clicking sounds in the jaw
Repeated "click" or "pop" sounds when opening or closing your mouth.
Jaw pain
Pain around the jaw when chewing, yawning, or speaking.
Difficulty opening mouth
Difficulty opening your mouth wide, or the jaw shifts to one side when opening.
Headaches · Ear pain
Recurring unexplained headaches or pain in front of the ears.
Teeth Grinding · Teeth Clenching
Grinding teeth during sleep or unconsciously clenching teeth during the day.
Neck · Shoulder stiffness
TMJ problems lead to tension and pain in the neck and shoulder muscles.
TMJ disorders rarely heal on their own.
Early treatment is the most effective.
The longer it is left untreated, the more the joint disc deteriorates, making treatment more complex.
Root Cause
TMJ Disorder,
You need to know the cause
for proper treatment
Teeth Clenching · Teeth Grinding
Unconsciously clenching or grinding your teeth during stress or sleep places excessive strain on the TMJ and surrounding muscles, damaging the joint disc.
Teeth grinding during sleep
Daytime teeth clenching habit
Resting chin on hand, chewing on one side only
Malocclusion · Missing Teeth
When the alignment of upper and lower teeth loses balance, asymmetric forces are applied to the TMJ, causing long-term joint problems.
Neglected tooth loss
Poor prosthetics
Orthodontic treatment needed
External Impact · Excessive Opening
Cases where the jaw is injured from accidents or impacts, or the joint is damaged from excessive mouth opening during dental treatment or yawning.
Traffic accident · Falls
Excessive yawning
Prolonged dental procedures
Mental Tension · Stress
Stress tenses the muscles around the jaw and creates unconscious teeth clenching habits, making it a major cause of TMJ disorder.
Chronic stress
Anxiety · Tension
Sleep disorders
Treatment
Godeok First Dental's
TMJ Treatment System
We provide step-by-step customized treatment
based on symptoms and causes.
Precise Diagnosis
Through panoramic X-ray, clinical examination, and occlusion analysis, we precisely diagnose the position and condition of the TMJ disc, muscle tension, and occlusion status.
Panoramic X-ray imaging
TMJ palpation and auscultation
Occlusion analysis · Mouth opening measurement
Acute Phase Treatment
During the acute phase with severe pain, we combine medication and physical therapy to quickly reduce pain and calm inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory · Muscle relaxant prescription
Hot/cold compress guidance
Jaw stabilization exercise instruction
Splint (Occlusal Stabilization Device) Treatment
A custom-made splint is fabricated to distribute abnormal forces on the TMJ and guide the joint disc back to its normal position.
Custom fabrication based on digital occlusion analysis
Prevents teeth grinding · teeth clenching
Joint disc position correction
Optimization through periodic occlusion adjustments
Root Cause Resolution · Recurrence Prevention
After pain is stabilized, we address the root cause. We prevent recurrence through malocclusion correction, missing tooth prosthetics, and lifestyle habit improvement guidance.
Occlusion adjustment · Prosthetic treatment
Lifestyle habit improvement guidance
Regular check-up program
Why Us
Why you should get
TMJ treatment at
Godeok First Dental
Comprehensive Dentistry Specialist direct treatment
TMJ is a complex condition involving occlusion, prosthetics, periodontics, and more. Because a Comprehensive Dentistry Specialist sees the whole picture, accurate root cause identification is possible.
Non-surgical conservative treatment first
Most TMJ disorders can be treated without surgery. We prioritize conservative treatments such as medication, physical therapy, and splints to minimize patient burden.
Custom splint precision fabrication
Based on digital occlusion analysis, we precisely fabricate splints customized for each individual patient. Periodic occlusion adjustments maximize treatment effectiveness.
Resolving the root cause
We don't just reduce pain — we address root causes such as malocclusion, missing teeth, and bad habits together to prevent recurrence.
TMJ pain,
don't endure it — get a consultation
Early treatment is the most effective and economical.
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Dr. Lee Dong-hyun, Comprehensive Dentistry Specialist
Godeok First Dental
Best Medical Team
Dr. Lee Dong-hyun
Head DoctorMaster of Dental Medicine
Specialist in Comprehensive Dentistry (Gov. Certified)
- Visiting Professor, Chosun University Dental Hospital
- Seoul National University - Implant Dentistry Excellence Award
- Seoul National University - Advanced Dentistry Course
- Seoul Kyunggi High School Graduate
- Kyunggi High School Alumni Dental Clinic
- Regular Member, Korean Academy of Comprehensive Dentistry
- Research Advisor, Osstem / Point / Dentis Implant
- University of Pennsylvania Root Canal Treatment Course
- ATC Implant Advanced Course
- KAYA Dental Hospital Prosthetic Course
- JPDA Pediatric Dentistry Clinical Training
- TMJ Disorder Education Research Course
- Former Director, E-Convenient World Dental Clinic
- Former Director, First-in Dental Clinic
Why Godeok First Dental
is the Best
1
Government Certified
Comprehensive Dentistry Specialist
The head doctor handles consultation, surgery, and aftercare
2
Osstem, Point, Dentis
Implant Research Advisor
Research advisor for Korea's leading implant companies,
utilizing the latest technology and equipment
3
State-of-the-Art Digital Equipment
3D CT, digital scanner, digital guide surgery system
providing precise treatment with cutting-edge equipment
Our Facilities
4F 401, 402, Edu Sky, 250 Godeok-ro, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do
Office Hours
Reservations
Book via AI reservation, phone, or Naver booking below.
FAQ
My jaw just clicks — do I need treatment?
Jaw clicking signals the joint disc has shifted. Even without pain, leaving it can progress to chronic pain. Early diagnosis and management resolves it with simple treatment.
Do I really need a splint?
If grinding or clenching is the cause, a splint is the most effective treatment. It distributes excessive force during sleep. Custom-made for each patient with periodic adjustments.
How long does TMJ treatment take?
Acute pain often improves within 1-2 weeks. Splint treatment typically takes 3-6 months. Exact timeline provided after thorough diagnosis.
Is TMJ treatment covered by insurance?
X-rays and medication are covered. Splint treatment is non-insurance but much more economical long-term as it can prevent surgery. Detailed costs provided during consultation.