CMD treatment and craniofacial pain in Wathlingen
CMD (craniomandibular dysfunction) is a collective term for disorders of the jaw joint and chewing muscles. Causes include misalignment, stress and grinding (bruxism). Typical symptoms are jaw pain, clicking in the joint, headaches, neck tension and even dizziness or tinnitus.
Craniofacial pain describes pain in the skull and face. It can be caused by nerve irritation, muscle tension, inflammation or jaw joint dysfunction. Migraine or trigeminal neuralgia can also be behind it.
CMD and craniofacial pain are often connected, because dysfunction in the jaw leads to pain in neighbouring structures.
How we proceed
01
Functional analysis
- A detailed history of symptoms, stress factors and previous treatment.
- Clinical analysis of jaw joint, muscles and bite.
02
Therapy
- Individually made splints that relieve joint and muscles.
- Physiotherapy support and exercises to relax the chewing muscles.
- Where muscle tension is severe, botulinum toxin can complement the therapy.
03
Long-term stabilisation
- Adjusting the bite when uneven loading is the cause.
- Regular check-ups so symptoms do not return.
Signs that point to CMD
- Pain or clicking in the jaw joint, limited mouth opening.
- Recurring head, neck or facial pain with no clear cause.
- Worn tooth surfaces, grinding or clenching, especially at night.
- Ringing or pressure in the ear, or dizziness.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know my headaches come from the jaw?
- Typical signs are morning tension, pressure in front of the ear, clicking when chewing and worn teeth. A functional analysis gives clarity.
- How quickly does a splint help?
- Many patients report clearly less pain within a few weeks. How long therapy takes depends on the underlying cause.
- Do you work with other specialists?
- Yes. Where useful we coordinate with physiotherapy, orthopaedics, ENT or pain medicine, because CMD rarely has a single cause.