Gnathology

Gnathologist in Baku: treatment of TMJ disorders, bruxism and bite problems

Gnathology is the branch of dentistry that deals with how the teeth, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the chewing muscles work together. Clicking in the joint, a tired jaw in the morning, clenching or worn-down teeth are not a problem with one tooth — they are signs that the whole system is not working as it should. At German Dental Clinic, gnathological problems are handled by orthodontist Dr. Ilhama Mustafayeva: her specialisation is orthodontic diagnostics, correction of jaw anomalies and orthodontic solutions to gnathological problems, and in 2025 she completed the course “Gnathology and the transition from splints to orthodontics” (our team).

When to see a gnathologist

• clicking, grinding noises or pain in the joint when opening or closing the mouth;
• morning pain or tiredness in the jaw, temples or neck;
• the mouth does not open fully, or the lower jaw drifts to one side as it opens;
• clenching or grinding at night (bruxism), visibly worn teeth, chipped enamel and fillings;
• a feeling that the teeth “don’t meet right” — after a new crown, filling or orthodontic treatment;
• planning the bite before extensive prosthetic work, veneers or orthodontic treatment.

Headaches, ringing in the ears and dizziness can have other causes, so the examination establishes whether a link with the teeth and joint is confirmed and, where needed, refers you to a neurologist, an ENT specialist or a physiotherapist.

How the diagnosis is made

1. Clinical examination. The path of jaw movement, how far the mouth opens, joint sounds, palpation of the chewing muscles, and the contact points between the teeth.
2. 3D CBCT. A cone-beam CT on the Orthophos SL shows the bony structures of the joint and the tooth roots (diagnostics).
3. Digital scan and bite registration. An intraoral scan with Primescan lets the dentist assess how the teeth meet on a digital model.
4. MRI where needed. The joint disc (soft tissue) is only visible on MRI; when it is indicated, the dentist orders it separately.

Treatment options

• Occlusal splint. Made individually from a digital scan and printed on Primeprint in the clinic’s own laboratory. The splint relaxes the muscles, takes load off the joint and protects the teeth from night-time clenching.
• Habit correction and self-care. Not clenching during the day, limiting hard food, jaw exercises — the dentist shows you what to do and how.
• Orthodontic bite correction. After the splint phase, the position of the teeth is corrected with braces or clear aligners to match the new, stable position of the joint.
• Prosthetic restoration. Worn or missing teeth are restored with crowns and prostheses so that the bite height is distributed correctly.
• A multidisciplinary approach. If the problem is muscular or posture-related, working together with a physiotherapist, neurologist or ENT specialist may be needed.

Bruxism and protecting restorations

Night-time clenching is not only pain and wear: it is the most common reason the edges of veneers, ceramic crowns and implant restorations chip. That is why bruxism is identified before aesthetic treatment or dental implants and taken into account in the plan — most often with a night guard.

How long treatment takes

Splint therapy usually lasts from a few weeks to a few months, with review appointments along the way. The timeline for any orthodontic or prosthetic stage that follows is set out in the treatment plan after diagnostics.

Frequently asked questions

What does a gnathologist do?
A gnathologist assesses how the teeth, the temporomandibular joint and the chewing muscles work together: clicking and pain in the joint, bruxism, bite problems, and planning the bite before extensive prosthetic work or orthodontics.

Is a clicking jaw joint dangerous?
If the click is painless and the mouth opens normally, monitoring is usually enough. If pain, limited opening or the jaw “locking” appear, an examination is needed — the earlier treatment starts, the simpler it is.

What is a splint and how long do I wear it?
A splint is a custom clear tray worn over the teeth: it relaxes the muscles and takes load off the joint. It is usually worn at night, sometimes during the day too; the regime and duration are set by the dentist after diagnostics and adjusted at review appointments.

Can bruxism be cured completely?
Bruxism has different causes, including stress and sleep disorders. The dentist protects the teeth and restorations and corrects the bite; if the cause is not dental, treatment is done together with another specialist.

How is a gnathological problem connected to orthodontics?
Teeth that do not meet correctly can overload the joint. In such cases a splint is first used to find a stable joint position, and then the teeth are aligned to that position with braces or aligners.

What should I bring to the appointment?
Any X-rays, CT or MRI scans you have and information about previous treatment. The rest of the diagnostics needed is done at the clinic.

See also: What a gnathologist does · Bruxism · Orthodontics · Diagnostics

Book a consultation — after the examination and diagnostics the dentist will explain the cause of the problem, the treatment stages and an indicative timeline.