Appointments

TMJ Treatments at Liv & Harley Street Hospital

Stop Jaw Pain in Its Tracks

What is Preventative Cancer Screening ?

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your lower jaw to the skull and allow you to chew, speak and yawn. When these joints or their supporting muscles become inflamed or misaligned—known as TMJ disorder (TMD)—patients experience jaw pain, clicking, headaches, earache and even neck or shoulder tension. At Liv & Harley Street Hospital we combine consultant-led diagnosis with evidence-based therapies—from bite splints and physiotherapy to minimally invasive joint injections and arthroscopy—to relieve pain, restore function and protect long-term jaw health.

Clicking, locking, grinding—TMJ issues can drain your energy and erode your smile. The specialist team at Liv & Harley Street Hospital offers step-by-step, minimally invasive solutions that put comfort first. Book your TMJ consultation and reclaim a pain-free, fully functional bite.

Who Should Have TMJ Treatment?

  • Persistent jaw pain or stiffness—especially on waking or when chewing.

  • Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint.

  • Lock-jaw episodes (difficulty opening or closing).

  • Tension headaches, earache or facial pain with no ENT cause.

  • Tooth-wear patterns or broken restorations linked to night-time grinding (bruxism).

Who Can Take It?

  • Teens through older adults in generally good health.

  • Bruxism sufferers willing to wear a bite guard at night.

  • Patients able to attend short physiotherapy or splint-adjustment sessions.

  • Those seeking non-surgical or minimally invasive options before open surgery.

Who Might Need to Delay or Modify?

  • Acute dental infection—treated first.

  • Uncontrolled systemic disease (e.g., brittle diabetes) if injectable therapy is planned.

  • Pregnancy: some medications or imaging may be postponed; splints and physio remain safe.

  • People unable to comply with splint wear or physiotherapy homework.

Contact Us

Get in touch with our experienced team to book your consultation.

0203 973 8800

[email protected]

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Why Choose Us

Liv & HSH London

  • Dual-Qualified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

    • Specialists trained in dentistry and medicine, with TMJ-specific fellowships.

  • Comprehensive Diagnostics

    • High-resolution cone-beam CT, MRI for joint discs, and digital bite analysis reveal the true source of pain.

  • Tiered, Evidence-Based Treatment Pathway

    • 85 % of patients improve with conservative therapy alone; surgery reserved for genuine mechanical joint disease.

  • Multidisciplinary Support

    • In-house physiotherapists, restorative dentists, pain physicians and psychologists for complex chronic cases.

What Do We Do? (Procedures & Scans)

Treatment Options & Typical Timeline

StageTherapyWhat It DoesSession Length
Phase 1Custom bite splint + physioRelaxes muscles, repositions jaw30-min fitting + reviews
Phase 2Trigger-point or Botox® injectionsBreaks spasm, reduces grinding15-min visit
Phase 3Arthrocentesis (needle lavage)Flushes inflammatory debris, injects steroid or PRP45 min, day case
Phase 4Arthroscopy / open surgeryRepairs disc displacement or joint degeneration60–90 min GA

Key Benefits

  • Drug-free pain reduction via physiotherapy and splints.

  • Better sleep and concentration once night-time grinding eases.

  • Prevents tooth wear and future dental costs.

  • High success with minimally invasive arthrocentesis—rapid return to work.

Potential Risks & Limitations

  • Initial splint wear may feel bulky; adjustment period 1–2 weeks.

  • Injection-site bruising or temporary facial weakness (rare with Botox).

  • Arthrocentesis risks: transient swelling, infection (< 1 %).

  • Open surgery carries nerve or hearing-change risks—discussed case-by-case.

Preparation Checklist

  1. Bring recent dental records and any MRI/CT images.

  2. List medications—especially anticoagulants if injections planned.

  3. If arthrocentesis/arthroscopy: fast 6 h pre-anaesthetic; arrange an escort home.

  4. Commit to physio exercises and splint compliance—key to long-term success.

After-Care Essentials

  • Ice packs + OTC analgesics after injections or lavage.

  • Soft diet 48 h to rest the joint.

  • Daily stretching and posture drills from our physiotherapist.

  • Splint adjustments at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, then as needed.

  • Review MRI/clinical progress at 3–6 months.

FAQ

Frequently Ask Questions.

Everything you want to know about TMJ Temporomandibular Joint Treatments in London Liv & Harley Street Hospital.

For many, yes—especially if started early and combined with physio and habit change. Severe joint arthritis may still need surgical care.

Low-dose injections into overactive masseter muscles are well studied and typically last 3–4 months.

Some notice fewer headaches within a week of wearing their bite guard; full muscle retraining can take 6–8 weeks. Post-arthrocentesis pain often drops within days.

Most UK medical insurers cover consultant assessment and proven therapies; we supply pre-authorisation codes.

A night-guard plus muscle relaxation helps dramatically—and protects fillings from fracture.