I have one side of jaw joint causing pain when chewing, is it a dentist or some other kind of specialist I need to see?

Usually a dentist in the hospital when it becomes something more complex is the best idea.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specialist.

Sometimes have a similar problem but it seems to go away on it's own (with the help of a few Tylenol) after a few days so would be interested in hearing about where you go & your experience in getting it treated in Pattaya.

 

Oral Surgeon should have a 360 degree X-ray machine; which will show both

joint and teeth issues. Cheers

Go to a dentist and make a panorama x-ray. I did it, and the dentist told me than on one side my jaw the muscle has to work harder than on the other side. I have no problem with it, but according to the dentist, this can cause several things starting from headache. I suggest that a qualified dentist should be your first contact. Not all of them make panorama x-ray.

19 minutes ago, stewart479 said:

Oral Surgeon should have a 360 degree X-ray machine; which will show both

joint and teeth issues. Cheers

I just had three weeks in Chiang Mai getting dental treatment for a problem with the same symptoms. I had the 360 degree dental x-ray (700 baht) & it confirmed that I had gum disease, in my case following / exacerbated by radio-therapy for laryngeal cancer (ironically from breathing the filthy air in CM for too many years). Just looked at the receipts - it says "advanced periodontitis treatment". Another one says "root planing" which is exactly what she (charming 38 y.o. lady) did, under local anaesthetic. She had to expose the roots of my teeth, which involved cutting away at my gums to get to the problem and I had stitches in my mouth for a week. It didn't affect eating, as I took beer painkillers daily. Cost of surgical op was about 4K baht - receipt says "open flap debridement" whatever that means. I am back in Oz now & all is good dental-wise. The lady did say "see you again in three months" which was a little worrying, as I no longer live in LOS & have no intention of returning in three months, if at all. Had a lot of fillings & a crown repair too, but the cost including Bus Class Singapore Air ticket ($5K) was a third of the quote in Australia. Another issue - the service in Bus Class going to Singapore was terrible, but excellent on the way back ! On the other hand, the cheap 3 hour SCOOT flights from Sing - CNX & return (no Bus Class avail) were brilliant - all I had to do was pay $9 SGD a beer, but at least I got beer, unlike on the way over to Singapore from Oz. The dentists were both at Kitcha Clinic near CM Gate. Been a customer there for 20+ years & if seeking dental work in CM, I strongly recommend them.  

I have had TMJ 3 times in my life and it hurts.  Once from having earbuds stuck hard into my ears while flying from the US to Thailand.  Also, from CM to Satun... ear buds again. I only use over the ear headsets now.  The solution that I have found is to get rid of your pillow as it will push your jaw out of joint and sleep on your forearm on the jaw side that hurts.  This firmness of the arm seems to realign the mussels and joint into their proper positions. Also, dump your spongy pillow that pushes against your open mouth while you sleep. 

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction - Wikipedia

 

I went to the hospital because it was causing pain and a misaligned bite.  Don't bother.  Take an anti inflammatory med for a few day.  Mine was actually cause by swelling connected to an ear infection.  A friend of mine once had terrible pain in his rear right jaw and tooth. The dentist drilled and drilled and found nothing.  Turned out to be ear wax. 

Do you take medicines? Just mention. They can work for a problem, but return with another problem, side effects.

On 9/18/2023 at 9:59 AM, connda said:

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specialist.

Why go down that road right now when an X-ray by a dentist will or should highlight the problem.

However if it does not then go the other route.

The problem may just be a tooth developing under an existing and the pressure of eating is causing contact between the two, resulting in pain.

11 minutes ago, Jimjim1 said:

Why go down that road right now when an X-ray by a dentist will or should highlight the problem.

However if it does not then go the other route.

The problem may just be a tooth developing under an existing and the pressure of eating is causing contact between the two, resulting in pain.

There are no rear molars, top or bottom. I think it is what someone (WAW1) suggested, ie TMJ.