TMJ Disorder Management

Diagram showing the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) anatomy and pain areas.

TMJ Disorder Management in Solapur: Relief from Jaw Pain

Do you hear a "clicking" or "popping" sound when you eat? Do you wake up with headaches, a stiff jaw, or pain around your ears? You might be suffering from a Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder, also known as TMD.

At Deshpande Dental Care & Implant Centre, we understand that jaw pain can be debilitating. We offer specialized, non-surgical treatments to diagnose the root cause of your pain and restore smooth, comfortable jaw movement.

What is the TMJ?

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the complex hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull, located just in front of your ears. It acts like a sliding hinge, allowing you to chew, talk, and yawn.

When this joint is damaged, inflamed, or out of alignment, it leads to TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder). This is not just "tooth pain"—it is a complex orthopedic problem of the face.

Signs You Might Have a TMJ Disorder

  • Clicking/Popping: Audible sounds when opening or closing your mouth.
  • Pain: Persistent dull ache in the jaw, ear, or temples.
  • Locking: The jaw gets "stuck" in an open or closed position.
  • Headaches: Frequent morning headaches or migraines.
  • Ear Symptoms: Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) or earaches with no infection.
  • Bruxism: Grinding or clenching teeth, especially during sleep.

Meet Your Specialist: Dr. Varun Deshpande

Treating TMJ requires a deep understanding of occlusion (how your teeth bite together) and joint mechanics. Dr. Varun Deshpande is an MDS Prosthodontist, making him the ideal expert for this condition.

While general dentists focus on teeth, a Prosthodontist is trained to treat the entire oral system: teeth, muscles, and joints. Dr. Varun analyzes your bite to see if misalignment is causing muscle spasms or joint damage, providing targeted therapy rather than just painkillers.

Our Treatment Approach

We believe in a Conservative, Non-Surgical approach first. 90% of TMJ cases can be resolved without surgery.

Step 1: Diagnosis & Analysis

We use clinical examination and X-rays to check the position of your jaw joint and the health of the cartilage disc.

Step 2: Splint Therapy (The "Night Guard")

This is the gold standard treatment. We fabricate a custom-made, hard acrylic Occlusal Splint.

  • It prevents your teeth from touching, which relaxes the tense jaw muscles.
  • It protects your teeth from the damage of grinding (bruxism).
  • It repositions the jaw slightly to take pressure off the sensitive joint tissues.

Step 3: Bite Correction (Occlusal Equilibration)

If a "high point" on a tooth is forcing your jaw into a bad position, Dr. Varun performs a minor adjustment (Equilibration) to balance your bite so your jaw closes naturally without strain.

Step 4: Physiotherapy & Medication

We guide you on specific jaw exercises to strengthen the muscles and may prescribe short-term muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatories to break the cycle of pain.

Don't live with the pain. If you have unexplained headaches or jaw stiffness, visit Deshpande Dental Care & Implant Centre (Civil Chowk, Antrolikar Nagar, Jule Solapur) for a specialized TMJ assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions


There is rarely one single cause. It is usually a combination of factors: stress (leading to clenching/grinding), a bad bite (malocclusion), arthritis in the joint, or previous trauma to the chin or jaw.

Rarely. Less than 5% of patients require surgery. Most cases are successfully treated with reversible therapies like Splints, physiotherapy, diet changes, and medication.

Inside the joint, there is a soft cushion called a 'disc.' Clicking usually happens when this disc slips out of place and then pops back in when you open your mouth. While painless clicking is common, painful clicking requires treatment.

Yes, stress is a major trigger. When you are stressed, you subconsciously clench your jaw or grind your teeth (especially at night), which overworks the jaw muscles and causes inflammation.

A splint is a custom-fitted, clear appliance worn over your teeth (usually at night). Unlike a generic sports guard, it is precision-balanced by Dr. Varun to ensure your jaw muscles completely relax and the joint is de-loaded.

The TMJ is located immediately in front of the ear canal. Inflammation in the joint can radiate pain to the ear, often causing patients to visit an ENT specialist thinking they have an ear infection when it is actually a jaw problem.

Yes. If you have TMJ pain, you should avoid chewing gum, eating hard nuts, or biting into large foods (like whole apples/burgers) as repetitive chewing strains the already inflamed joint.

TMJ disorders can be managed effectively. Once we identify the trigger (like grinding or a bad bite) and treat it, the pain usually goes away. However, wearing a night guard long-term may be necessary to prevent recurrence.

Still have questions?

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please chat with our friendly team.

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