Dental Services

TMJ Disorder

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, commonly known as TMJ syndrome, can be incredibly painful.

If you’ve ever experienced jaw pain you’ll know how frustrating it is. It can have a big impact on your life. TMJ is one of the common causes of jaw pain. It can cause a lot of unnecessary stress, because it affects you every time you eat and talk. 

Many people with TMJ experience constant jaw pain, have difficulty chewing and locking their jaw joint. If left untreated it can get worse and cause even more problems for you. It can become more difficult to treat and can often cause chronic headaches.

What is TMJ ?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull and allows for movement needed to talk and chew. TMJ disorders can cause pain or difficulty in jaw movement and are often linked to dental issues such as poor jaw or tooth alignment, injury or dislocation, arthritis, or stress-related habits like teeth clenching. Treatment for TMJ problems can include pain relief medication, relaxation techniques, or jaw exercises to help ease discomfort and improve function.

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Common Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) Symptoms

Common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include jaw pain or tenderness, especially around the ears, face, or neck. People with TMJ issues often experience clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth. Other symptoms can include difficulty or discomfort while chewing, limited jaw movement, and a feeling of the jaw locking or getting stuck in an open or closed position. In some cases, TMJ dysfunction may also cause headaches, earaches, or a sensation of pressure behind the eyes.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) Treatments

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) dysfunction can often be managed with a range of non-surgical treatments. Common approaches include taking pain relief or anti-inflammatory medications to reduce discomfort and swelling, as well as using muscle relaxants in more severe cases. Stress management techniques, such as relaxation exercises or physical therapy, can help relieve tension that may contribute to jaw clenching or grinding. Jaw exercises designed to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the joint are often recommended. In some cases, dentists may suggest a night guard or splint to prevent teeth grinding. If symptoms persist or worsen, more advanced treatments like injections or surgery may be considered.

Need to know

Appointments

  • At least 2 appointments
  • At the first consultation visit the dentist will assess and recommend the best treatment option for you. They may refer you to an orthodontist or specialist
  • At the second visit, if you're with a dentist and they have recommended an appliance such as a plate you may have your appliance fitted. If you're with an orthodontist you might start the process of orthodontic treatment
  • Further appointments will usually be needed to check on the fit of the appliance or orthodontic work

How long it takes

  • The consultation will usually take around 30 minutes. This could be longer if impressions of the mouth are taken for the fit of a dental appliance
  • The fitting of the appliance will usually take around 30 minutes

You may be asked about

  • Your dental history and medical history
  • The type of pain you’ve been experiencing and how long you’ve had it

Before your appointment

  • No special preparation needed

After your appointment

  • You will need to follow the care instructions recommended by your dentist, or your orthodontist if you have a dental appliance or have had orthodontic work
  • You may feel some discomfort while you adjust to the dental appliance or braces

Quick tip

Try keeping track of the changes you notice after treatment. You could track these in a journal. You will likely be amazed at how much of a difference there is after a few weeks or months.

Enquire now

Have questions?

The price of treating TMJ will vary depending on your individual situation. There are a few ways to treat TMJ and some will be more expensive than others. If you are needing dental treatment such as a plate or braces your dentist or orthodontist will be able to give you an estimate of the cost of treatment at the consultation appointment.

In most cases TMJ pain won’t disappear without treatment. When you experience constant jaw pain or are suffering from TMJ, we recommend visiting a dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will suggest the best treatment option for you, which could even mean referring you to an orthodontist or specialist to help with your treatment.

If left untreated TMJ can get worse and become severe, which also makes it more difficult to treat. If you have any problems with TMJ or jaw pain you should book an appointment with a dentist. You can do this by booking online.

A normal jaw will move smoothly, allowing you to open and close your mouth, chew and speak without pain or difficulty. The temporomandibular joints on either side of the head should move freely and without noise or discomfort. A jaw affected by TMJ dysfunction may cause pain, stiffness, or tenderness in the joint or surrounding muscles. People with TMJ may also experience clicking or popping sounds, difficulty chewing, or the jaw locking in an open or closed position. Unlike a healthy jaw, TMJ involves problems with how the joint and muscles work together, often due to misalignment, injury, arthritis, or stress-related habits like teeth grinding.