Temporomandibular Joint

Maxillofacial Surgeon Panagiotis Sennis, Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the Naval Hospital of Athens, is the first to introduce arthroscopic CTG surgery in Greece.

temporomandibular joint

What is the temporomandibular joint?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the base of the skull and is located just in front of the ear.

It allows the lower jaw to move in multiple axes – up and down, front and back, and sideways – enabling functions such as chewing, speaking, and yawning. Due to its complex function, it is one of the most complex joints in the human body.

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What causes dysfunctions in the temporomandibular joint?

These factors often lead to inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the joint .

CGM disorders can result from many factors:

Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching), especially during sleep

Muscle overstrain and bad habits (such as constant chewing gum)

Malocclusion or orthodontic problems

Ectopic position or asynchronous movement of the articular disc

Rheumatological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

Injuries to the jaw or face area

Rheumatological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

temporomandibular joint

What are the symptoms of OCD?

Pain in front of the ear or in the temple

Headaches and neck pain

Joint sounds (“click”, “crack”, creak)

Difficulty or limitation in opening the mouth

Pain when chewing or yawning

Muscle tenderness in the jaw and facial area

Otalgia (ear pain without otological cause)

temporomandibular joint arthritis

What is temporomandibular joint arthritis?

Temporomandibular joint arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joint and occurs mainly in people aged 20–50 years.

The special construction and daily use of this joint make it prone to wear.

When the mouth is fully opened, the movement of the condyle causes additional strain, which, combined with bruxism and other parafunctional habits, often leads to arthritis.

temporomandibular joint arthritis

What are the causes of temporomandibular joint arthritis?

Often, arthritis is the result of a combination of factors that act cumulatively over time.

Bruxism and teeth clenching

Constant chewing of hard foods or gum

Malocclusion or dental problems

Injuries to the face or jaw

Stress and muscle overstimulation

Rheumatological diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)

Degenerative changes due to age or stress

temporomandibular joint

How is the diagnosis made?

Accurate diagnosis is essential for proper treatment planning.

The diagnosis for temporomandibular joint disease is based on:

Detailed medical history (e.g. symptoms, duration, habits)

Clinical examination of the jaw and masticatory muscles

Imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), panoramic or CT scan, as appropriate

temporomandibular joint

What are the treatment options?

Conservative methods:

Dietary guidelines

(soft foods for 10–20 days)

Drug treatment

(anti-inflammatory NSAIDs)

Resting the joint

(avoid overextension and hard chewing)

Heat therapy or cold packs on the joint

Maxillofacial Surgeon Panagiotis Sennis , Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the Naval Hospital of Athens, is the first to introduce arthroscopic CMD surgery in Greece.

With many years of experience and specialization in joint diseases, he applies personalized therapeutic protocols – from conservative treatment to the most modern surgical techniques – ensuring safety , precision and functional rehabilitation for the patient.

Additional treatments in persistent cases:

Physiotherapy with laser, ultrasound and special exercises

Cortisone injections into the joint (with caution and appropriate indication)

Occlusion splints to control bruxism and jaw pressure

When invasive treatment is required:

In advanced or resistant cases:

arthroscopy

(minimally invasive technique with an endoscope, without a classic incision)

Open surgical repair

in serious cases, by a specialized Maxillofacial Surgeon

temporomandibular joint

Is the joint, the muscles, or both causing the problem?

In many cases, it is not easy to determine whether the pain comes exclusively from the temporomandibular joint, from the masticatory muscles, or from both.

Stress plays a key role, as it can cause muscle overstimulation and pain that mimics the symptoms of joint dysfunction.

Patients with bruxism – i.e. unconscious clenching or grinding of the teeth, mainly during sleep – often experience spasms and pain in the masticatory muscles, accompanied by difficulty moving the jaw.

In other cases, the problem is mixed, with simultaneous involvement of both the joint and the muscles, which complicates diagnosis.

For this reason, specialized clinical and imaging evaluation is required to identify the exact cause and determine the appropriate treatment.

temporomandibular joint

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