If you suffer from jaw pain, clicking or popping, headaches, jaw stiffness or difficulty opening your mouth, you may be experiencing a temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Bass Orthodontics are TMJ specialists in Harley Street - and we provide specialist assessment of the teeth, bite and jaw to help understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and determine the most appropriate treatment approach for you.
With over 50 years of specialist orthodontic experience, Dr Anton Bass takes a personalised approach to every patient, using detailed clinical assessment and modern diagnostic technology where appropriate.
For more information, call 020 7580 8780 or email us at reception@bassorthodontics.com
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the two joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. They work together with the surrounding muscles to allow you to speak, chew and open and close your mouth.
Problems affecting the jaw joints or the muscles responsible for chewing are known as temporomandibular disorders, or TMDs.
Symptoms can vary considerably from one person to another. Some people experience temporary discomfort, while others may develop persistent or recurring symptoms.
You may benefit from a TMJ assessment if you experience:
Not every jaw click requires treatment. Clicking or popping without pain is common, so a thorough assessment is important before deciding whether treatment is necessary.
We begin with a detailed assessment rather than assuming that one treatment is suitable for everyone.
We begin by discussing your symptoms, medical and dental history, when your symptoms started and what makes them better or worse.
This helps us understand the nature of your problem and whether further investigation is appropriate.
Your jaw, teeth and bite are carefully assessed, including jaw movement, tenderness, symmetry and the way your upper and lower teeth come together.
We also consider whether your symptoms could have another dental or medical cause.
Depending on your symptoms and clinical findings, additional imaging may be recommended.
This may include dental X-rays or other imaging where clinically indicated.
Once we understand your individual circumstances, we can explain the available options and recommend the most appropriate next step.
Treatment may be conservative and focused on managing symptoms, monitoring the condition or addressing relevant dental and orthodontic factors.
Where treatment or monitoring is required, we continue to review your symptoms and jaw function and adjust the approach where necessary.
TMD can involve the jaw joints, the muscles used for chewing, or both. Symptoms can also occur alongside other conditions such as headaches or sleep problems.
Jaw symptoms may be associated with factors including:
Since the causes of TMJ can be complex, an accurate assessment is more useful than simply assuming that your teeth or bite are responsible.
Orthodontists treat TMJ issues by first carefully assessing the jaw joints, muscles, teeth and bite to understand the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment will depend on your individual diagnosis and may include conservative approaches such as monitoring symptoms, addressing clenching or grinding, or using appropriate dental appliances where clinically indicated.
In some cases, orthodontic treatment such as braces or invisible braces may be considered to improve the alignment of the teeth or address a specific bite problem, but changing the bite is not automatically required for treating TMJ disorders.
Dr Bass will recommend the most appropriate approach based on your symptoms, clinical findings and overall dental health.
Bass Orthodontics is a family-run specialist orthodontic practice in Harley Street, London, with more than five decades of experience.
Your assessment is carried out with specialist orthodontic knowledge, considering your teeth, jaws and bite as part of the wider picture.
There is no single treatment that is right for every person with jaw symptoms. We take the time to understand your individual problem before recommending an approach.
Modern digital scanning and diagnostic technology can be used where appropriate to help assess your teeth and jaw and support treatment planning.
Our practice is located at 4 Queen Anne Street in the heart of London's Harley Street medical district, close to Oxford Circus, Bond Street and Baker Street.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint itself. TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, describes conditions affecting the jaw joint and/or the muscles involved in jaw movement.
Not necessarily. Jaw clicking and popping can occur without pain and is relatively common. If clicking is accompanied by pain, stiffness, locking or restricted movement, an assessment may be appropriate.
Some TMDs are associated with headaches, particularly when the jaw muscles or joints are involved. However, headaches can have many different causes, so a proper assessment is important.
Yes. Many TMD symptoms are temporary and improve without treatment. Where symptoms persist, worsen or interfere with daily life, professional assessment can help determine the appropriate next step.
No. Treatment should be based on an individual clinical assessment. Permanent changes to the teeth or bite are not appropriate for every patient with TMD.
No, you can contact Bass Orthodontics in Harley Street directly to discuss an appointment and your symptoms.
We are based on Queen Anne Street next to Harley Street and are within walking distance of Baker Street and Marylebone , Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Soho and the West End .
