TMJ/TMD Therapy
TMJ Diagnosis
Jaw pain, clicking and headaches can have many causes. A careful assessment helps our general dentist team understand what may be behind your symptoms and which next steps may help.
What are TMJ and TMD?
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, connect your lower jaw to your skull just in front of each ear. They work together with the surrounding muscles every time you talk, chew or yawn.
Temporomandibular disorders, or TMD, is a general term for problems affecting these joints and the muscles that move them. TMD can be linked to clenching or grinding, jaw injury, joint wear, stress or bite-related factors, and often more than one factor is involved.
Common symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person and may come and go. They can include:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw, face, or around the ears
- Clicking, popping or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth
- A jaw that feels stiff, tired or locks open or closed
- Headaches, especially in the temples or on waking
- Difficulty chewing or a bite that suddenly feels "off"
- Worn, chipped or sensitive teeth from clenching or grinding
Many of these symptoms can also come from other conditions. Only an exam can confirm whether TMD may be involved.
What happens during a TMJ assessment
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Talking through your symptoms
Your dentist asks when the symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and about habits such as clenching, grinding or gum chewing.
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Examining the jaw and muscles
The jaw joints and chewing muscles are gently checked for tenderness, and your dentist observes how your jaw opens, closes and moves side to side.
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Checking your teeth and bite
Your dentist looks for signs of wear, cracks or bite changes that may relate to your symptoms.
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Imaging if needed
Digital X-rays may be taken to look at the teeth and surrounding structures.
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Discussing findings
Your dentist explains what they found and recommends next steps, which may include home care, an oral appliance, or a referral to a physician, physiotherapist or specialist.
Conservative care comes first
For many people, jaw symptoms ease with simple, reversible measures. These may include eating softer foods for a while, avoiding gum chewing, applying gentle heat or cold, resting the jaw, and paying attention to daytime clenching or stress.
Your dentist will usually recommend these steps before considering any treatment that permanently changes your teeth or bite.
Possible next steps
Depending on your assessment, your dentist may suggest a custom night guard to reduce the effects of grinding and clenching, or discuss bite correction if bite-related factors appear to play a role. Treatment is planned around your symptoms and clinical findings, and it may change over time as your symptoms respond.
TMJ/TMD Therapy
- TMJ/TMD Therapy Overview
- TMJ Diagnosis
- Custom Night Guards
- Bite Correction