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There is a dental clinic in Incheon where you can receive temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis
"I need temporomandibular joint treatment, but is there a dental clinic in Incheon that performs arthrocentesis?"
Many people ask this question. To give you the conclusion first, you can receive arthrocentesis performed directly by an oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist near Bupyeong Station in Incheon.
Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive surgical treatment applied to temporomandibular joint disorder patients who do not respond to conservative treatment such as medication or splints. In clinical research registered on PubMed (2025), its effectiveness is reviewed as a primary surgical option for patients unresponsive to conservative treatment, and Asan Medical Center's Disease Encyclopedia also guides this procedure within the step-by-step treatment flow for temporomandibular joint disorders.
However, arthrocentesis is not suitable for all temporomandibular joint patients. The starting point is first confirming through specialist diagnosis which stage your condition falls into.
What is arthrocentesis and when is it necessary?
Arthrocentesis is a procedure in which two needles are inserted into the temporomandibular joint area and the inside of the joint is flushed with saline solution. There are three main purposes:
▪ Reduction of joint pressure — Reduces pressure accumulated in the joint space to alleviate pain. ▪ Removal of inflammatory cytokines — Washes away inflammatory substances that cause pain and tissue damage. ▪ Adhesion disruption — Physically releases adhesions formed around the joint disc to help the mouth open better.
According to PubMed (PMC12333576), these three mechanisms work in combination to contribute to improved mouth opening range and pain reduction. The Korean Dental Association Journal (2023, Vol. 61, No. 5) also describes that arthrocentesis is a representative treatment option for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis along with conservative treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, occlusal splints, and physical therapy. Additionally, materials from the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons report that it contributes to improved mouth opening as a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
The indications are particularly high in the following two situations:
▪ Disc derangement without reduction (anterior disc displacement — mouth opening without clicking sound) ▪ Cases where conservative treatment such as splints and medication have been sufficiently attempted but limitation in mouth opening or pain persists
Why Now dental clinic can directly perform arthrocentesis
Arthrocentesis is a surgical procedure in the oral and maxillofacial surgery field. This is also why it is difficult for general dental clinics to perform it.
Dr. Seong-won Yang, the chief dentist at Now dental clinic, is an oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist who directly performs arthrocentesis according to patient condition, rather than relying only on splints. The oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist credential is certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and only about 5% of dentists hold this specialized qualification.
Now dental clinic's temporomandibular joint treatment reviews the following steps in order according to patient condition. This follows the same treatment flow guided by Seoul Hospital's Temporomandibular Joint Center at Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, aiming for evidence-based treatment based on SCI papers.
| Stage | Treatment Method | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Medication therapy | Anti-inflammatory agents, muscle relaxants, etc., covered by health insurance |
| Stage 2 | Physical therapy | Equipment at university hospital level, conducted in-clinic |
| Stage 3 | Splint | Occlusal splint (distributes occlusal load) |
| Stage 4 | Botox | Suppresses hyperactivity of masticatory muscles |
| Stage 5 | Arthrocentesis | Minimally invasive surgical procedure, directly performed in-clinic |
For patients with systemic diseases (hypertension, diabetes) who worry about anxiety during the procedure, conscious sedation (intravenous sedation) can be combined to receive safety management during the procedure.
Arthrocentesis is especially needed for these individuals
Check if any of the following items apply to you:
▪ Your mouth suddenly cannot open more than 2-3cm ▪ When opening your mouth, you feel it getting caught without a clicking sound ▪ You have received splint or medication treatment for more than 3 months but pain or limitation in mouth opening remains ▪ Pain persists in the temporomandibular joint area when chewing or yawning ▪ Your jaw feels stiff when you wake up in the morning on repeated days
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's National Health Information Portal, the representative symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder are joint sounds, pain, and limitation in mouth opening. When conservative treatment does not respond, it recommends reviewing surgical treatment step by step. In clinical data, arthrocentesis is a procedure that can be attempted before open surgery, and is considered after sufficient conservative treatment stages.
Those from the Namdong-gu and Gyeyang-gu areas of Incheon or Bucheon seeking temporomandibular joint treatment can also visit without burden by taking advantage of the accessibility of being right in front of Exit 27 of Bupyeong Station.
Temporomandibular joint concerns in Incheon, comfortably consult with Now dental clinic today
At Now dental clinic, an oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist handles everything from diagnosis to arthrocentesis directly, so if you have had temporomandibular joint symptoms for a long time, please make a consultation appointment comfortably first. Whether arthrocentesis is actually necessary will be determined after imaging diagnosis based on panoramic and 3D CBCT and clinical examination, so it's fine if you don't decide on the procedure immediately now.
It is a 1-minute walk from Exit 27 of Bupyeong Station. On Wednesdays, evening care is available until 8:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday care is available until 3:00 PM. Even if it's difficult to visit on weekday afternoons due to work or school schedules, we adjust the schedule so you can come at a convenient time. If your jaw has been uncomfortable for a long time, start by asking about it once today.
Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis, Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is arthrocentesis very painful?
Since local anesthesia is applied to the area before the procedure, pain during the procedure is usually not significant. However, you may feel pressure or a foreign body sensation when the needle is inserted. For those with dental anxiety or severe nervousness, combining conscious sedation (sleep treatment) can make the procedure much more comfortable.
Q2. How is arthrocentesis different from splint (occlusal splint) treatment?
A splint is conservative treatment that helps the joint rest by distributing the occlusal load. In contrast, arthrocentesis is a surgical procedure that directly flushes and removes inflammatory substances and adhesions already developed inside the joint. Typically, arthrocentesis is considered only after sufficient conservative treatment such as splints has been attempted without improvement.
Q3. Is health insurance applied to temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis?
Temporomandibular joint treatment basically has health insurance coverage for certain items. However, the scope of insurance and non-insurance application may vary depending on the detailed procedure content and the composition of accompanying treatment, so it is recommended to confirm the exact cost during consultation.
Q4. How long is the recovery period after treatment?
Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure, so same-day discharge is often possible. For a few days after the procedure, swelling or soreness in the area may remain, but most people recover without significant disruption to daily life. Recovery speed may vary depending on individual condition, so it is important to follow the post-procedure care instructions from your attending doctor.
⚠️ The possibility of procedure side effects may vary depending on individual skin condition.