TMJ Treatment in Seoul: Jaw Pain, Clicking, Clenching and Teeth Grinding
Quick answers
- TMJ treatment: ₩300,000 (≈ $215), including physical therapy for the jaw muscles.
- Night guard (occlusal splint): ₩800,000 (≈ $570). Takes about one week to make.
- Who treats you: a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who checks both the jaw joint and the chewing muscles.
- Not everyone needs a splint. We find the cause first, then choose the treatment.
Your jaw clicks when you open your mouth. It aches after chewing. You wake up with sore temples, or your partner says you grind your teeth at night. These are common signs of a TMJ disorder, and they often get worse with stress, travel and poor sleep.
The jaw joint (TMJ) and the muscles that move it work together. Pain can come from the joint, from overworked muscles, or from both. At ARC Dental, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon checks how your jaw moves, where the pain comes from and how your teeth bite together, and then plans treatment step by step.
Contents
01 · COST
How Much Does TMJ Treatment Cost in Seoul?
| Treatment | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| TMJ treatment (jaw pain, clicking, clenching, grinding), including physical therapy | ₩300,000 (≈ $215) |
| Night guard (occlusal splint), custom-made | ₩800,000 (≈ $570) |
| Panoramic X-ray (charged separately) | ₩100,000 (≈ $70) |
| CT scan, only if needed (charged separately) | ₩150,000 (≈ $110) |
Prices are charged in Korean Won (KRW). US dollar amounts are approximate and for reference only. All prices are estimates and are confirmed after an examination. Any additional treatment, such as injections for the jaw muscles, is explained and priced before it is done. International credit and debit cards are accepted, as well as cash in KRW or USD.
02 · SYMPTOMS
Common TMJ Symptoms
- Clicking or popping when you open or close your mouth
- Jaw pain, or pain when chewing
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully, or the jaw feeling “stuck”
- Clenching during the day or grinding at night
- Pain or tightness in the temples, face, neck or shoulders
- Headaches, ear fullness or ringing that may be linked to the jaw
- The jaw moving to one side when you open, or a change in facial symmetry
03 · TREATMENT
How We Treat TMJ Disorders
Most TMJ problems improve with conservative treatment. We start with the simplest effective step and add more only if needed.
- Diagnosis. We check jaw movement, joint sounds, muscle tenderness and your bite, with X-rays as needed.
- Habit and lifestyle advice. Reducing clenching, one-sided chewing and very hard or chewy food.
- Physical therapy. Low-level laser and infrared therapy, low-frequency stimulation, and cooling spray with stretching.
- Medication when appropriate, to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Night guard (occlusal splint) for grinding or clenching, used selectively after we find the cause.
- Jaw muscle treatment. If tension in the masseter and temporalis muscles keeps causing pain, injections to relax these muscles may be considered.
04 · NIGHT GUARD
Night Guards for Teeth Grinding and Clenching
A night guard, or occlusal splint, is a custom-made appliance you wear while you sleep. It reduces the pressure of grinding and clenching on your teeth and jaw joints, and protects crowns and veneers from wear.
Not everyone with jaw pain needs one. We recommend a night guard only after checking whether grinding or clenching is part of the cause. A custom night guard takes about one week to make, so please plan for this if you are visiting Seoul.
05 · TRAVEL
Planning TMJ Treatment Around Your Stay
- Short visit: diagnosis, physical therapy and home-care advice can start on your first visit.
- Need a night guard? Allow about one week in Seoul for it to be made and fitted.
- Living in Seoul? Many patients come back for a few physical therapy sessions. Evening appointments are available until 8 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Insurance documents: on request, we email an English treatment certificate and itemized receipt within 7 business days.
06 · SELF-CARE
What You Can Do at Home
- Choose softer food and avoid very hard or chewy food for a while.
- Notice daytime clenching. Lips together, teeth apart, jaw relaxed.
- Avoid chewing on one side only, and avoid chewing gum.
- A warm compress on tight jaw muscles can help.
If symptoms last more than a few weeks, keep coming back, or your mouth opening becomes limited, get your jaw examined.
07 · FAQ
TMJ Treatment in Seoul: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does TMJ treatment cost in Korea?
At ARC Dental in Seoul, TMJ treatment including physical therapy is ₩300,000 (about $215). A custom night guard (occlusal splint) is ₩800,000 (about $570). A panoramic X-ray is ₩100,000 (about $70), and a CT scan (₩150,000, about $110) is added only if needed.
Does a dentist treat TMJ disorders?
Yes. TMJ disorders involve the jaw joint and chewing muscles, which are part of oral and maxillofacial surgery. At ARC Dental, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon examines and treats TMJ problems.
How long does it take to make a night guard?
A custom night guard usually takes about one week to make. If you are visiting Seoul, allow about a week for it to be made and fitted.
Do I need a night guard for jaw clicking?
Not always. Clicking can have different causes. We check the joint, the muscles and whether you grind or clench, and recommend a night guard only when it is likely to help.
Can stress cause jaw pain?
Yes, stress often increases clenching and grinding, which can overwork the jaw muscles and cause pain, headaches and stiffness.
Is the consultation in English?
Yes. Consultations are in English, supported by real-time translation when needed.
Jaw pain or clicking?
Tell us your symptoms and how long you are in Seoul. We will plan your diagnosis and treatment around your stay.
This page provides general information and does not replace a personal diagnosis. Treatment methods, timelines and results vary by patient, and side effects may occur. Prices are estimates and are confirmed after an in-person examination.