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What causes a clicking sound while opening and closing my mouth?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am experiencing clicking sounds whenever I open my mouth wide and close it. It is not painful, but I am curious because I have been experiencing this for the past week. I am a male, my height is 5 feet 10 inches, and my weight is 187 pounds. Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Divya Banu M

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Divya Banu M is a dedicated Dental Surgeon with valuable clinical experience. She specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of various diseases and conditions affecting the oral cavity. With a gentle and patient-centered approach, she is committed to promoting oral health and enhancing smiles through quality dental care. Her areas of expertise include restorative dentistry, preventive dental care, and cosmetic dental procedures.

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com

The clicking sound is due to some TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problem (could be either hard or soft tissue related). The cause can be ruled out only after clinical examination and checking X-rays. Kindly visit an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the same. Since you do not have any pain in the jaws or neck, I am ruling out MPDS (myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome), which involves soft tissue muscles related to unilateral clicking of TMJ as one of its features. Even an impacted or improperly erupted upper third molar may cause it (your age shows this must be the reason). Anyways a clinical examination is a must. As of now, do not open your mouth wide. And do not chew anything very hard on that side. Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. K. Shobana
Published At January 16, 2023
Reviewed At January 18, 2024

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Divya Banu M is a dedicated Dental Surgeon with valuable clinical experience. She specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of various diseases and conditions affecting the oral cavity. With a gentle and patient-centered approach, she is committed to promoting oral health and enhancing smiles through quality dental care. Her areas of expertise include restorative dentistry, preventive dental care, and cosmetic dental procedures.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. K. Shobana is a Dental Surgeon specializing in oral health and dental care. She is skilled in preventive dentistry and provides oral hygiene education. She can do restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns. She can handle periodontal problems such as gum diseases and periodontitis. She can do root canal treatment.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Divya Banu M
Dr. Divya Banu M

Dentistry

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Divya Banu M is a dedicated Dental Surgeon with valuable clinical experience. She specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of various diseases and conditions affecting the oral cavity. With a gentle and patient-centered approach, she is committed to promoting oral health and enhancing smiles through quality dental care. Her areas of expertise include restorative dentistry, preventive dental care, and cosmetic dental procedures.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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