TMJ Disorder Treatment Guide: From Pain, Sounds and Limited Opening to Splints and Physical Therapy

A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition in which a problem in the jaw joint just in front of the ear and the chewing muscles around it causes pain and impaired function; it is also called temporomandibular joint dysfunction. In Korea, treatment uses reversible methods first, such as medication, exercise, physical therapy and occlusal splints, and bite adjustment or surgery is considered only in special cases. Examinations and tests are billed to health insurance, but the occlusal splint, called a splint, is a non-covered item, so check the cost in advance.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

Other names	Temporomandibular joint disorder, temporomandibular disorder (TMD), craniomandibular disorder (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청))
Main symptoms	Pain in the jaw, in front of the ear and chewing muscles, limited jaw movement, joint noise (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA))
Age when it usually occurs	Most patients are 15-45, and it is more common in women (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Health insurance patients (disease code K07.6)	About 350,000 in 2015, with women about 1.5 times men (source: Ministry of Health and Welfare (analysis by the National Health Insurance Service))
Treatment order	Reversible treatments first: medication, exercise, behavior, physical therapy, splints (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA))
TMJ exercise therapy	6 basic exercises, 6 repetitions per set, 6 sets a day (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA))
Occlusal splints	Making and adjusting occlusal stabilization splints, anterior repositioning splints and others are non-covered items (source: National Health Insurance Service non-covered information portal)
Clinic outpatient copayment (under 65)	30% of the total insured medical cost (source: Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA, 건강보험심사평가원))

What kind of condition is a TMJ disorder?

The jaw joint is the joint in front of the ear where the lower jawbone meets the skull, and the articular disc, ligaments and surrounding muscles move together to open the mouth and chew. A problem in this joint or the chewing muscles that causes pain and impaired function is called a TMJ disorder.

The KDCA sees TMJ disorders not as a single disease but as a complex of related disorders of the masticatory system. Problems of the joint itself and of the head and neck muscles often coexist, so even when symptoms look the same, the cause and the direction of treatment can differ from person to person.

The NHIS explains that TMJ disorders are more common in women and that most patients are 15 to 45. In an analysis released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of health insurance patients with TMJ disorders rose 40.5% from about 250,000 in 2010 to about 350,000 in 2015.

Which symptoms suggest a TMJ disorder?

The most common symptom is pain that worsens when chewing or opening the mouth wide, felt at the joint area in front of the ear or in the chewing muscles at the cheeks and temples. Because the pain spreads to the jaw, ear, head and face, some people first think of an ear disease or a headache.

A click or a gritty sound when opening or closing the mouth
The mouth does not open fully, or deviates to one side when opening
The jaw feels stiff in the morning and the chewing muscles feel tired
Teeth wear abnormally or the chewing muscles become enlarged

Why do TMJ disorders occur?

The KDCA explains that the cause of TMJ disorders is hard to pin to one thing and that several contributing factors overlap. Bad chewing habits, oral habits such as grinding or clenching, and chronic tissue fatigue and microscopic damage from a forward head posture are named as the main causes.

Stress, anxiety and depression raise muscle tension and make participation in treatment harder, which can make symptoms last longer. So treatment puts weight on finding and reducing contributing factors in daily life along with reducing pain.

Habits you can check yourself right away include biting nails or lips, chewing gum for a long time, resting the chin on a hand, cradling a phone on the shoulder during calls, irregular meals and too much caffeine. Reducing these habits one at a time alone can lighten the load on the chewing muscles.

How is a TMJ disorder diagnosed?

Diagnosis of a TMJ disorder follows a standardized procedure of interview, physical examination and imaging, plus a psychosocial assessment. The dentist checks the range the mouth opens, left-right movement, pain when the joint and muscles are pressed, joint noise and the bite, and asks what triggered the symptoms and about daily habits.

Bone structure is viewed with radiographic imaging, and changes in the articular disc and surrounding soft tissue with MRI. Pain from non-musculoskeletal causes such as nerve, blood vessel, infection or tumor is not treated as a primary TMJ disorder, so telling it apart from other conditions even when symptoms are similar is important.

In what order is a TMJ disorder treated?

The goal of TMJ disorder treatment is to reduce symptoms so daily life is not disrupted and to prevent recurrence. The KDCA explains that it is the general and preferable order to use reversible treatments first.

Physical therapy and occlusal splints are the most used methods in TMJ disorder treatment, and physical therapy works better when jaw exercises are done with it. Irreversible treatments such as bite adjustment, joint lavage, arthroscopy and surgery are decided in consultation with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in TMJ conditions when conservative treatment is not enough.

Medication: short-term anti-inflammatory painkillers, and muscle relaxants if needed
Exercise and behavior therapy: jaw and neck exercises, correcting habits such as clenching, stress management
Physical therapy: cold and heat, electrical stimulation, laser and so on
Occlusal splint: a removable appliance often worn at night

How far does health insurance cover TMJ treatment?

Examinations and insured items for TMJ disorder (disease code K07.6) are billed to health insurance, and at a dental clinic outpatient visit those under 65 pay 30% of the total insured medical cost. For age 65 and over there is a fixed bracket of KRW 1,500 if the total at a dental clinic outpatient visit is KRW 15,000 or less, and hospital-level outpatient care such as at a dental hospital is 40% in dong areas.

On the other hand, the NHIS non-covered information portal lists the occlusal stabilization splint, immediate anterior positioning splint, soft occlusal stabilization splint, anterior repositioning splint, and adjustment, relining and reconstruction of the appliance as non-covered items related to TMJ disorders. Splint costs differ by clinic, so before it is made, check the amount and whether adjustment costs are included.

Which dental clinic treats TMJ disorders?

TMJ disorders are treated at dental clinics; among dental specialties, oral medicine mainly handles the jaw joint and facial pain, and oral and maxillofacial surgery handles surgical treatment such as joint lavage or surgery. You may also have a TMJ examination first at a general dental clinic and be referred to a specialist if needed.

When choosing a clinic, asking in advance whether it makes splints and does regular adjustments, whether it has physical therapy equipment, and where imaging is taken when needed can reduce going from place to place.

Detailed guides

Frequently asked questions

Do I need treatment if my jaw only makes sounds and does not hurt?

When there is only sound without pain or limited mouth opening, habits are managed and watched. If pain appears with the sound or the jaw catches, get it checked at a dental clinic, and for a growing child, ask for the jaw joint to be looked at during checkups even without pain.

Can a TMJ disorder get better on its own?

The KDCA explains that TMJ disorder symptoms can improve on their own or go back and forth between better and worse. However, if pain continues or chewing is uncomfortable, treatment that finds and manages contributing factors is needed.

How long does TMJ disorder treatment take?

The treatment period varies greatly with the cause and degree of symptoms and how well habits are corrected, so it is hard to give one answer. After reversible treatment starts, symptom changes are checked regularly and the plan is adjusted. Keeping up habit correction and exercise steadily helps reduce recurrence.

Do I have to get a splint made?

An occlusal splint is a commonly used treatment, but it is not needed by every patient. It is recommended based on the pain pattern and whether there is grinding, so ask to have the reason for the appliance and the plan for combining it with other treatments explained.

Are TMJ disorders common in young people?

The NHIS explains that most patients are 15 to 45 and it is more common in women. In the 2015 health insurance patient analysis too, people in their 20s were the largest group.

Is a headache caused by the jaw joint also treated by a dentist?

TMJ disorders can come with head and neck muscle problems, including tension-type headache, so these are evaluated together at a dental clinic. However, for a sudden severe headache or neurological symptoms, first get medical care such as neurology to check for other causes.

References

Korean version →